622/700 - Fitzroy
I saw him on Dundas Street downtown on this bright, early fall Toronto day. I thought he had a face that would photograph well and liked his hat and the way his headphones coordinated with his shirt. He was, however, ducking into a bank so I looked up and down the street for a background, knowing that most bank visits are brief. I noticed a dark, reflective, polished marble wall just down the street that I thought would suit well and returned toward the corner. I saw that he was about to exit the building and hoped he would agree to participate in my photo project.
Hoping that it didn’t look like an “ambush” I introduced myself and told him why I had pegged him for my next 100 Strangers invitation. He seemed a bit surprised but flattered. He said he had a few minutes and would be glad to help out. Meet Fitzroy. During our short walk to the marble wall I learned that Fitzroy is 53 and came to Toronto from Jamaica 31 years ago. I commented that he looks younger than his 53 years and his smiling response was “I get that a lot.” He works as a chef at one of the residences at the University of Toronto and I was meeting him as he did errands on his lunch hour. Fitzroy came across as warm, open, and friendly – not unlike many of the Jamaican people I have met.
I demonstrated the pose I was wanting with Fitzroy separated from the wall by a few meters. We did a few photos without the headphones (he had removed them when I approached him) and with. I liked the photos both ways. He was a pleasure to meet and photograph. When I asked about his interests outside of cooking he said he does longboarding and snowboarding and enjoys outdoor activities. His guiding principle in life is balance in all things. “For example, if you enjoy eating, then you should also exercise.” I had a feeling he lives by this guideline and I commented that he looks very fit and healthy. He smiled and said he also belongs to a gym. Our time was up so we exchanged contact information and were both on our way.
Thank you Fitzroy for participating in 100 Strangers. You are Stranger #622 in Round 7 of my project.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by the other photographers in our group at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.
622/700 - Fitzroy
I saw him on Dundas Street downtown on this bright, early fall Toronto day. I thought he had a face that would photograph well and liked his hat and the way his headphones coordinated with his shirt. He was, however, ducking into a bank so I looked up and down the street for a background, knowing that most bank visits are brief. I noticed a dark, reflective, polished marble wall just down the street that I thought would suit well and returned toward the corner. I saw that he was about to exit the building and hoped he would agree to participate in my photo project.
Hoping that it didn’t look like an “ambush” I introduced myself and told him why I had pegged him for my next 100 Strangers invitation. He seemed a bit surprised but flattered. He said he had a few minutes and would be glad to help out. Meet Fitzroy. During our short walk to the marble wall I learned that Fitzroy is 53 and came to Toronto from Jamaica 31 years ago. I commented that he looks younger than his 53 years and his smiling response was “I get that a lot.” He works as a chef at one of the residences at the University of Toronto and I was meeting him as he did errands on his lunch hour. Fitzroy came across as warm, open, and friendly – not unlike many of the Jamaican people I have met.
I demonstrated the pose I was wanting with Fitzroy separated from the wall by a few meters. We did a few photos without the headphones (he had removed them when I approached him) and with. I liked the photos both ways. He was a pleasure to meet and photograph. When I asked about his interests outside of cooking he said he does longboarding and snowboarding and enjoys outdoor activities. His guiding principle in life is balance in all things. “For example, if you enjoy eating, then you should also exercise.” I had a feeling he lives by this guideline and I commented that he looks very fit and healthy. He smiled and said he also belongs to a gym. Our time was up so we exchanged contact information and were both on our way.
Thank you Fitzroy for participating in 100 Strangers. You are Stranger #622 in Round 7 of my project.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by the other photographers in our group at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page.