Matheus
Unlike most of my encounters, this one started with a location instead of a person.
I was entering the Eaton Center, Toronto’s downtown mall, and was interested in the quality of the sheltered light reaching the south entrance. The doors are temporary, surrounded by construction of a new entrance. I took a selfie to check the light and discovered that while it was attractive to the eye, it created odd white balance problem. However, once I got this idea in my head I had a hard time abandoning it.
Selecting a grey wall between the two doors, I waited for an interesting person to come through to stand in front of that grey wall. It didn’t take long for him to appear with an interesting face and a bush of “big hair.” I introduced myself and approached him with my project request and my contact card. He was happy to oblige. Meet Matheus. As I clarified the name he said with a Portuguese accent “Like Matthew but I’m from Brazil.”
Unfazed by my knowledge that the selfie test had revealed problem light, I persevered against all odds and photographed Matheus between the mall doors as people entered and exited on either side of us. Surprise, surprise, the portraits had a very awkward white balance problem. (Who would have guessed? )
I decided to engage him in the conversation portion of the encounter and stepped away from the busy doorways, hoping that in the process I would come up with an idea that would rescue me from the problem of my own creation. As we talked, I realized that the light was better in this spot and I decided to make a couple more portraits as we were talking. This is one of them.
Matheus is 19 and has only been in Canada for three days. His stay will be for a month. The purpose of his visit is to improve his English. He studied English for three years in Brazil and we were able to communicate quite easily. I asked about his impressions of Canada so far and he said he is just starting to find his way around. I asked “What surprises you the most about Toronto?” His response was “The size. I come from a small town in Brazil and Toronto is so big.” His advice to his younger self? “Be more brave.” His message to the project? “Try anything and follow your dream.” “And what is your dream, Matheus?” “Movies. I want to be a director.
We exchanged contact information and I wished Matheus well in his studies while in Canada. I also wished him success in achieving his dream.
Thank you Matheus, for participating in my photography project, The Human Family. This is my 512th submission to the project.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Matheus
Unlike most of my encounters, this one started with a location instead of a person.
I was entering the Eaton Center, Toronto’s downtown mall, and was interested in the quality of the sheltered light reaching the south entrance. The doors are temporary, surrounded by construction of a new entrance. I took a selfie to check the light and discovered that while it was attractive to the eye, it created odd white balance problem. However, once I got this idea in my head I had a hard time abandoning it.
Selecting a grey wall between the two doors, I waited for an interesting person to come through to stand in front of that grey wall. It didn’t take long for him to appear with an interesting face and a bush of “big hair.” I introduced myself and approached him with my project request and my contact card. He was happy to oblige. Meet Matheus. As I clarified the name he said with a Portuguese accent “Like Matthew but I’m from Brazil.”
Unfazed by my knowledge that the selfie test had revealed problem light, I persevered against all odds and photographed Matheus between the mall doors as people entered and exited on either side of us. Surprise, surprise, the portraits had a very awkward white balance problem. (Who would have guessed? )
I decided to engage him in the conversation portion of the encounter and stepped away from the busy doorways, hoping that in the process I would come up with an idea that would rescue me from the problem of my own creation. As we talked, I realized that the light was better in this spot and I decided to make a couple more portraits as we were talking. This is one of them.
Matheus is 19 and has only been in Canada for three days. His stay will be for a month. The purpose of his visit is to improve his English. He studied English for three years in Brazil and we were able to communicate quite easily. I asked about his impressions of Canada so far and he said he is just starting to find his way around. I asked “What surprises you the most about Toronto?” His response was “The size. I come from a small town in Brazil and Toronto is so big.” His advice to his younger self? “Be more brave.” His message to the project? “Try anything and follow your dream.” “And what is your dream, Matheus?” “Movies. I want to be a director.
We exchanged contact information and I wished Matheus well in his studies while in Canada. I also wished him success in achieving his dream.
Thank you Matheus, for participating in my photography project, The Human Family. This is my 512th submission to the project.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.