Dave
Some of my encounters with strangers involve time spent getting acquainted but some are fleeting. I had just finished lunch with a friend who asked how I choose the people I photograph and I didn’t have a clear answer. A flip answer would have been that anyone moving slower than me is at risk. In reality, while there is always something that attracts my attention, I don’t always know offhand what it is. Such was not the case with this man. I had just retrieved my bicycle to head for home when I saw him across the street with his neon shades and Mickey Mouse t-shirt. Ok, I'm interested. Curious, I crossed the street and caught up with him on the sidewalk.
When I introduced myself and explained my wish to photograph him for my project I thought he was going to ignore me because he kept walking. Suddenly he turned around and said “You want a photo of me, go ahead and take it.” Caught off guard, I explained I had to dump my bicycle and get out my camera. I asked him if he could step out of the sun and stand in front of the charcoal-colored wall near the subway station and he did. Two quick clicks and that was it. I told him I really liked his look with the shades and Mickey Mouse t-shirt. “Thanks” he said. He was a man of few words. I showed him his photo on my camera display and he said “Yep. That’s me” and turned to leave. I asked if he wanted my card and a copy of his photo and he said “Don’t need it.” I asked his name as he rejoined the pedestrian traffic and he said over his shoulder “I’m Dave.”
I liked the contrast between his no-nonsense manner and his great, funky sense of style which I hope he never loses.
I had another one minute photo session two days ago on Yonge Street snd this was my one minute photo session on Bay Street. It surprises me that such a transitory encounter can produce enough connection between complete strangers to produce a photo and an experience that I will not soon forget.
Thank you Dave, today’s man of mystery, for taking this brief moment to participate in my Human Family photography project. I will never know your story but I won’t forget your unexpected willingness to help a stranger doing a photo project. I wish you well.
This is my 27th submission to the Human Family group.
You can view more stranger portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Dave
Some of my encounters with strangers involve time spent getting acquainted but some are fleeting. I had just finished lunch with a friend who asked how I choose the people I photograph and I didn’t have a clear answer. A flip answer would have been that anyone moving slower than me is at risk. In reality, while there is always something that attracts my attention, I don’t always know offhand what it is. Such was not the case with this man. I had just retrieved my bicycle to head for home when I saw him across the street with his neon shades and Mickey Mouse t-shirt. Ok, I'm interested. Curious, I crossed the street and caught up with him on the sidewalk.
When I introduced myself and explained my wish to photograph him for my project I thought he was going to ignore me because he kept walking. Suddenly he turned around and said “You want a photo of me, go ahead and take it.” Caught off guard, I explained I had to dump my bicycle and get out my camera. I asked him if he could step out of the sun and stand in front of the charcoal-colored wall near the subway station and he did. Two quick clicks and that was it. I told him I really liked his look with the shades and Mickey Mouse t-shirt. “Thanks” he said. He was a man of few words. I showed him his photo on my camera display and he said “Yep. That’s me” and turned to leave. I asked if he wanted my card and a copy of his photo and he said “Don’t need it.” I asked his name as he rejoined the pedestrian traffic and he said over his shoulder “I’m Dave.”
I liked the contrast between his no-nonsense manner and his great, funky sense of style which I hope he never loses.
I had another one minute photo session two days ago on Yonge Street snd this was my one minute photo session on Bay Street. It surprises me that such a transitory encounter can produce enough connection between complete strangers to produce a photo and an experience that I will not soon forget.
Thank you Dave, today’s man of mystery, for taking this brief moment to participate in my Human Family photography project. I will never know your story but I won’t forget your unexpected willingness to help a stranger doing a photo project. I wish you well.
This is my 27th submission to the Human Family group.
You can view more stranger portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.