Via Flickr:
I’ve never photographed somebody’s boot before but that’s what I found myself doing today – I was crouched down as low as I could and Hugo was stood with his legs in a wide stance – much more so than necessary 😉 – to ensure that the foot I was photographing was isolated. What a picture we must have presented … so it’s lucky that I no longer get hung up and Hugo is a performer!
I had just finished with Ian and was heading back to work when I passed Hugo – oh boy, another no-brainer – fantastic!
Yet again I was given the go ahead with no questions asked but as ever I explained about the project anyway and handed him one of my business cards. I took a couple of half body shots of Hugo then asked if he would mind if I took a full length portrait as well and did so after switching to my 35mm lens (with hindsight changing lens was perhaps quite brave after the problems I had with Ian). I chatted casually with Hugo throughout and learned that he is a dancer and performs cabaret in a venue that I’m pretty sure he said was called The Boulevard and if it was, then he performs Burlesque but I didn’t actually establish that while talking to him. What I did learn though is that he has been a dancer since he was 9 and has been doing it professionally for 5 years. Whilst he doesn’t tour with his current job, dancing has previously taken him all over, including Slovenia, Madeira and New York (Broadway? Hmm … didn’t think to ask).
In his spare time Hugo enjoys sewing – making costumes. He doesn’t do this for his work but he does produce costumes for another dance troupe. When I asked if he had made any of the clothes he was currently wearing he looked down before replying "no, but I customise my boots" – the rest, as they say, is history … the boot shot immediately sprung to mind and my diptych became a triptych!
As I stood up from photographing his boot I commented "that was probably one of the weirdest things I’ve ever done … what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done?". Regular viewers of my project will no doubt spot what I did there – weirdest / maddest … same thing! And segued like a cheesy DJ – I was so proud of myself! How does "dressed up like a giant clown … with a broken umbrella" grab you for weirdness – it does it for me!
Hugo, thank you very much for taking time to help me with my project today – it was a real pleasure talking with you.
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Please feel free to provide constructive critique on the technical aspects of this photograph.
This picture is #76 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 