darev431
9/100 Strangers
While out looking for interesting people to meet and photograph, I’d stopped to take a few shots of some young Hare Krishna devotees chanting on a busy downtown corner. When I put the camera down, Sam was right by my side. He had a spiritual agenda which I didn’t share in that moment, but he was entirely gracious and friendly when that was made clear. We did share in interest in spiritual traditions and had a lovely conversation in the afternoon sun about the similarities in Sufi, Kabbalah, Christian, and Hindu mysticism. I was familiar with the outline of the Bhagavad Gita and had attended a couple of Kirtan events some years ago, the Hare Krishna practice of chanting prayers, praises, and the names of God.
Sam hails from Toronto and like many people, believes that the saving of the world (from ourselves) will be a spiritual transformation first - followed by the political, ecological, and social. In that order. Hard to argue with that! He’s been to many cities trying to share his passion for God and really likes Denver. I had to agree with him there too!
Sam immediately agreed to let me take his picture and I really wanted to capture the sense of peace and purpose that I felt from him, peace that was not without complexity and worldly knowledge. I took a couple of shots from different angles but I knew instantly when I took the picture I would use. This is it. Meet Sam.
Post processing I added just a bit more light and slightly turned up the shadows. I’m quite happy with the result and have a fine memory of meeting this young man. Very much enjoying the 100 Strangers project!
This picture is #9 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
9/100 Strangers
While out looking for interesting people to meet and photograph, I’d stopped to take a few shots of some young Hare Krishna devotees chanting on a busy downtown corner. When I put the camera down, Sam was right by my side. He had a spiritual agenda which I didn’t share in that moment, but he was entirely gracious and friendly when that was made clear. We did share in interest in spiritual traditions and had a lovely conversation in the afternoon sun about the similarities in Sufi, Kabbalah, Christian, and Hindu mysticism. I was familiar with the outline of the Bhagavad Gita and had attended a couple of Kirtan events some years ago, the Hare Krishna practice of chanting prayers, praises, and the names of God.
Sam hails from Toronto and like many people, believes that the saving of the world (from ourselves) will be a spiritual transformation first - followed by the political, ecological, and social. In that order. Hard to argue with that! He’s been to many cities trying to share his passion for God and really likes Denver. I had to agree with him there too!
Sam immediately agreed to let me take his picture and I really wanted to capture the sense of peace and purpose that I felt from him, peace that was not without complexity and worldly knowledge. I took a couple of shots from different angles but I knew instantly when I took the picture I would use. This is it. Meet Sam.
Post processing I added just a bit more light and slightly turned up the shadows. I’m quite happy with the result and have a fine memory of meeting this young man. Very much enjoying the 100 Strangers project!
This picture is #9 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