The Patriarch
When I see an opportunity to shoot a portrait on the street, I try to shoot without permission. Asking permission can ruin a portrait. The person’s demeanor changes, they get what someone called “camera face” meaning that their facial muscles tense up and their expression changes from pleasant to uneasy.
Torie and I saw this man chatting to a companion. We were far, at least 30 feet, from him and we were able to shoot over and over until even we were sure we had a good shot. In looking at the crop here on the blog, I think I should re-crop it. It looks long and narrow but when I printed it, it looked great. Oh, no. Another detail to be aware of.
Portrait of a Young Man
I was attracted by this young man’s dress and hairstyle. He looked, to me, to be fashionable in a Western way. I did ask for his portrait. There was no hiding the fact that I wanted a one. At first he demurred, but when I told him he looked like a film star, he acquiesced. You can see the traces of a satisfied smile and his eyes are lowered to hide his pleasure at the compliment. When I saw him later in the market, he introduced me to his friends. I think we were both pleased with our encounter.
The Young Mother
A young gypsy girl holds her baby. She is sooooo young! But maybe that is what Mother Nature planned before things like graduate school and getting a start with a career. Look at how healthy her baby is. She does look a bit thin, though. Once my daughter and I were in a home where a five year old girl served us tea. She was lovely and spunky but knew her place. My daughter said, “Well, she has about 7 more years of freedom.” That’s the way we think, but we don’t know what they think.
Best Friends
Two gypsy boys stopped playing, or fighting, long enough to pose for me. OK. I “grunged” this one. Why? Because it grabs your attention. Years ago Richard Avedon drove across country photographing people in small towns, mainly the south and midwest. He carried a plain white backdrop and would ask people for their portrait. He “grunged” those photos, big time. And that was before digital. When I saw Avedon’s book, I pitied the people. I had the idea that they were unsophisticated but good-hearted, pleased to be chosen for a portrait by this world famous photographer. And then to see that he turned them into nothing but objects; he took away their humanity, in my opinion. I hope I haven’t done that. I tried to make these little boys look like little boys. Little boys from the days when boys could be boys.