The Windswept Man (Reinaldo)

This Portrait is photo #007 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project at 100 Strangers

 

I first noticed Reinaldo while I was walking down the busy Market Street shopping area in Manchester. I'm used to seeing street entertainers around town, but the windswept man stopped me in my tracks momentarily, as he stood out from the regular bunch of living statues who are becoming pretty common in all the major towns and cities. He seemed to be attracting more interest from the crowd than the other street entertainers looking more like stone statues in various suspended poses.

I dropped some money into his collection tin and was greeted with his briefcase dropping to the floor and a acknowledging smile on his face, so I took the opportunity to engage him in conversation and asked permission to take his portrait while explaining about the 100 strangers project.

Reinaldo was quite talkative and in the couple of minutes he put aside for me he explained how he has been entertaining the masses across most of Europe before arriving in Dublin, then Belfast, before settling down in Manchester "at least for the time being". His collection tin was marked up with the words "Facebook - Windswept Man" which he pointed out to me and asked me to visit his page when I found the time.

Initially, I took a couple of full length shots while waiting for a break in the crowds, followed by a close-up, which I decided about 100 yards down the road I didn't like. So, I swapped lenses and went back for another close-up, spending another pound for the privilege, but ending up with this shot and full eye contact.

 

Thanks Reinaldo

Done