Stranger 017/100 and photo 261/365

This is Steve who very kindly agreed to be number 17 of my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

 

With the exception of stranger number 6 "Vespa Eddie" I have not really done anything in the way of balancing flash with ambient light and that was my intention however... I should probably tell you about Steve first. Steve Plays the bass for a band called the anti-nowhere league. This is a band I have liked since I was a teenager and as far as I can recall, they are the first band I spent money on. Not pocket money but money I'd earned from milk rounds and paper rounds before school. It was a long time ago. A long long time ago!!

 

I wondered into a secondhand record shop in whitechapel and I was drawn to the cover of this EP. It just stood out. I asked if I could listen to it and they stuck it on the decks.. Boom! A cover of Ralph McTell's Streets of London. A bit of an introduction to politics and how songs could cross genres.

 

I want to shoot the singer for a project that I'm doing and due to the first instalment of that project I have been in a privileged position of being the only non-musician to be invited along to regular evenings out; namely The Punk Rock Curry Club.

 

Steve was at the ruby night and during the pre-curry drinks I introduced myself to him.

I thought he looked tough in his appearance but having the chance to observe him there was a clear openness to him. I also though he just had an interesting face that would photograph well.

 

So we chatted about music; obviously!

 

This was iTunes, spotify and general band stuff.

 

I told Steve about the 100 strangers project and asked if he would be part of it.

 

Walking from the pub to the curry house I started to think that the road had no decent backdrop so I opted not to go for the balanced light I had intended of trying to capture.

 

I was a little worried about the glasses because I had no light modifiers and I though the flash might be a bit harsh. I told a handful of shots but knew I wasn't happy with the, even without reviewing them on the LCD screen.

 

I moved the light around a few times and then caught this portrait. That was enough for me. I knew I had something I was personally happy with.

 

Reviewing the image now I'd be tempted to have a little more space below his arms and perhaps above his head. I'd certainly want to compose a little differently and have more negative space to his right (in front of him). That said, I'm happy with this portrait.

 

One thing I have learnt from this contact is the importance of being prepared to change plans and have a flexible approach.

 

If Steve is reading this.... Thank you for agreeing to be part of this project, your time was/is very much appreciated. I hope you like the portrait.

Done