Via Flickr:
Finally, an encounter that I’ve actually enjoyed from start to finish. This is Robbie and Eve – I saw this couple at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle but didn’t approach them at first. After a while I spotted them again … escaping, so I chased after them. It took me a while to catch up with them (partially because I was checking a couple of things on my camera including the light now that they had wandered into shadow, and partially because they were going my way and I was in no particular hurry). Once I caught up with them I asked for a photo straight up and Robbie answered “depends on what it’s for” – good start! I explained about the project and whilst at no point did I suspect they were going to say no they really seemed to relax a bit when I mentioned that thousands of people have undertaken this project. They did seem quite amused when I later mentioned that I had first spotted them at Monument and had to chase after them. When I had first spotted them however they were having a moment that I couldn’t possibly have interrupted and since voyeurism’s not my thing I moved on!
Robbie offered to move into the light so we wandered away from the rather ugly shops providing the current backdrop and settled on a spot at the top of the Bigg Market with an interesting fortune teller’s caravan to provide a more pleasing backdrop. I then took a handful of photos including a couple of individual shots but from the outset I’d settled on Robbie & Eve being my first “couple” shot – the shot above completely captures the happy, intimate couple that I had first spotted so it was a no-brainer that this was my strangers shot. However I love two particular individual shots as well which I will post in the comments.
They both live and work in Newcastle but have taken the day off just for the sake of it and to spend some time together. Robbie is a Performance Artist (and loves his job) and Eve is a vintage clothes designer. Eve’s hair is what caught my attention initially so I couldn’t let the moment pass without asking about it, so … yes she does change it quite often but it’s been pink for quite a while now and she’s due a change – if you live in Newcastle keep your eyes peeled!
On a final note, Eve mentioned that she has seen various bad photos of herself on Flickr – I hope that today I rectified the balance a bit.
You were a lovely couple and both great to talk to and helped my confidence a lot – as you say “Not everybody is cold”. Many thanks Robbie & Eve.
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This picture is #5 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
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