The theme over at The Gallery is ‘Faces’ this week. We actually have until next week to do a post, but as we’re moving house in the middle of next week and I’m likely to be offline, I thought I’d get in there early.
I was torn between a ‘pretty‘ picture and an ‘interesting’ one but in the end decided to go for interesting. I know this is not a photo that everyone will love, but it’s an important one for me for a couple of reasons.
The guy is called Lewis, and he is something of a local celebrity. He can often be seen walking up and down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, or sitting on a bench in the centre of town and chatting with a crew of assorted other characters. He is very friendly, and has some good banter, although has also been known on occasion to hoist up his kilt and bare his arse to tourists if they try and take a photo without asking his permission.
I think he has a brilliant face – brimming with character. You can tell that he is someone who has really lived. The slightly aggressive look in his eyes is tempered by the jingle bell and badges on his hat. And really, who wouldn’t want to grow themselves some awesome facial hair like that?
I like this shot because it’s the first time I ever approached a ‘stranger’ in the street and asked to take their photo. I got quite into street photography for a while, but to begin with I always took candid shots rather than asking for permission. I ended up torn between frustration at not being able to get close enough to people to capture anything very interesting (it’s quite hard to blend into the background when you’re pushing a pram with a noisy toddler in it…), and a slight feeling of unease I couldn’t shake off about taking people’s photos without them knowing.
There are some brilliant street photographers in Edinburgh. And also some brilliant opportunities for honing your street photography skills during the Edinburgh Festival, when there are all kinds of people wandering around the streets desperate to have their photo taken! But hardcore street photography, really getting into people’s faces and capturing them up close without permission, is not something that feels right for me.
This style – more street portrait than street photography, I guess – is the focus of the 100 Strangers project which encourages photographers to get out of their comfort zone and take pictures of strangers, but approach them for permission first, and have a chat to find something out about them. It appeals to me greatly, although I haven’t committed to doing a full 100 shots yet. If I did, I think I’d try and find Lewis again, and ask him to be my first.
What a face.
See how other people have interpreted the Faces theme over here on Sticky Fingers.
Dorkymum | Stories from Tasmania 
I’ll be on the lookout for this guy next time I’m in Edinburgh! Can’t believe I’ve not seen him before.
He’s a dude… just make sure you ask before taking his photo unless you want an eyefull 😉
Wow! I love this photo. An excellent portrait. Who needs pretty? I think photos like this are so much more appealing… there’s a bit of life there, y’know? And I LOVE his hat and facial hair… what an extraordinary character.
Thanks! Edinburgh seems to be a bit of a gathering ground for interesting characters… we’re home to the most pierced woman in the world too, but I thought a photo of her might be a bit too much for a family blog!
Wow, a brilliant photo 😉 @Kahanka
Thank you! I hope there are some similarly bearded folk for me to snap in St Albans 😉
great photograph and a face you could stare at.
I would say, I’d hate to have my photo taken without permission, so I’m with him on baring his arse!
That is a really interesting face! My sister lives in Edinburgh…I am going to ask her if she know who he is? x
Great take on the theme. He looks very interesting. I live in near Glastonbury and all manners of ‘interesting’ people flock there to live on the streets, they all have such strong characters x
Excellent shot! Exactly the kind of portrait I love. Although I’ve never seen this guy in Edinburgh – he must be new!
Looking back I wish I’d taken a shot of a homeless rasta guy who use to sit outside John Lewis in the 90s. He was a nice guy and had spectacular features.
Ah now that was the kind of face I was looking for but couldn’t find! Gorgeous photo he has such a fabulous expression and I adore his hat
Great picture. Good for you too for approaching to ask him if you could take his picture. You probably got a much better shot that way. Fabulous. And I love his hat!
What a great picture. I like the slight edginess of the expression in his eyes and the beard is the icing on the cake.
What an amazing photograph! It shows the character of the subject and a lifetime of truly living. Brilliantly shot, love the contrast showing his features to perfection.
Great story and photo! I’m going to have to come back to my home town to see if I can spot him now!
I love that picture! Interesting is definitely the way to go. x
That’s a brilliant photo. The colours are amazing!
XxX
Thank you all for the lovely comments! I’m so chuffed y’all like it 🙂 am on intermittent wireless in a hotel, sorry I haven’t managed to get round all the other posts to read and comment yet, but look forward to catching up on them when am all hooked up to Internet in our new place xx
What a guy! I bet he can tell you some stories! All I can say is keep taking photos, you have a talent.
what an amazing photo! i think that his face could tell a thousand stories and if it could they would be perfectly captured in this photo… thank you for sharing and i’m off to read about the 100 strangers project… happy moving…
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Just checking out the old blog..and love this photo. Reminds me of the characters in Christines paintings. Hope all is well!
Ha, you’re right, he’d be right at home there! Thanks for checking in 🙂 xx