Via Flickr:
I spotted Ann sitting on a bench just outside Fenwicks as her nice bright coat and hat caught my eye so I went and sat down beside her and asked if she would mind if I took her photograph – she was fairly non-committal at this stage but agreed once I had explained what the project was about.
Before I took any photos I learned that Ann was in town today shopping with her daughter and granddaughter and this is a weekly ritual of which a large part comprises a nice lunch – quite right too ;). She was on her own at the time whilst her daughter and granddaughter popped into a nearby shop, which is just as well for me as if she had been part of a group it is unlikely that I would have asked her.
I took two photos of Ann – the first was cropped a bit tighter than I intended so I took a second but I left it at that as I wasn’t confident that Ann was comfortable with the situation as she spent quite a bit of time not looking at the camera. When I checked the photos later I was a bit concerned that the first shot was unacceptably soft but thankfully the focus was much better on the second one which is also the better composition.
After I had photographed Ann I sat down beside her again and learned that she used to be a resident warden in a home for the elderly. Ann used a specific phrase that I committed to memory as I wanted to use it verbatim but unfortunately it escapes me now but the gist of it was that she tried to make each of the resident’s lives just that little bit better – especially the unhappy ones. The bit that I do remember is that she tried to “make them smile every day”. I can’t think of a better way to end my story about Ann so …
… thank you very much for taking a little time out to help me with my project Ann. I hope that you like the photo when you see it.
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.
This picture is #58 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
99% Digital 