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Walking down Yonge Street, looking at all the interesting people enjoying BuskerFest Toronto, I suddenly noticed this young man standing near a dark doorway to a pub. I watched him for a few moments and something about his relaxed stance and slightly shy smile told me he would be an interesting person to meet and photograph.
I walked right up to him as he was standing with an older woman and I asked his permission to take his photo for my project. His response was a smiling one but he was obviously uncertain exactly what I was asking of him and he may have thought I was asking him to take my photo. As I began clarifying, he made a hand gesture and I suddenly realized there was a language problem. I asked what language he spoke and he said “Espanol.” I apologized and said I wish I spoke Spanish. He then said “It is ok. I speak a little English but only very slow.” I proceeded to slow down and simplify my explanation of 100 Strangers and asked if he would let me take his photo and share it with my group on Flickr and he bobbed his head with some eagerness.
I suggested he step back a pace or two into the doorway of the pub where I felt the dark background would make his face and reversed cap stand out in the afternoon light. I was a bit concerned because I had noted patrons coming and going through that narrow doorway and didn’t want him or me to block the entrance or get smacked by the door opening. I worked fast and luckily our quick photo session managed to be completed between pub patrons.
Meet Aaron, who explained that he lives in the city of Toledo which I looked up later and discovered is a city rich in history and culture in central Spain (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Spain) 70 kilometres south of Madrid. It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Aaron is on a ten day visit to Canada with his aunt (the woman who was standing next to him and who stepped aside when I approached him for 100 Strangers. He is 21 and told me he is a student and, if I understood him correctly) his interest has something to do with computer science.
After making the photos and explaining my process of taking several in case of eye blinks and camera movement, I think Aaron's Stranger portrait conveys a sensitivity and kindness that transcends the language barrier we faced. I hope he uses my email from the contact card so that I can give him a copy of the photo.
I told Aaron that I hope to visit Spain one day because I have heard it is a beautiful country. I also told him how much I appreciated his helping me with my project and wished him and his aunt an enjoyable visit to Canada. I shook her hand as well as his and told her I appreciated her patience while I photographed her handsome nephew. I don’t know how much she understood because of my lack of Spanish, but I think she understood that I was grateful.
Thank you Aaron for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #175/200 in Round 2 of my project. Enjoy your stay in Canada.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
To browse Round 1 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157633145986224/
This bus was new to Lothian Buses as 175 in 2010.
Seen here on Haddington Road.
This is a nice short as the early evening sun sets over the fields to the west.
This bus was new to Lothian Buses as 175 in 2010.
Seen here on the A1, heading up the slip road to Wallyford
A tough and rugged guy I encountered in a murky alley. He didn't speak or look at me, he just looked.. tough. And rugged.
Sometimes photo opportunities just reveal themselves out of the blue and you have maybe a few seconds to react. I got two exposures. The second one was maybe better composed but this first had all the attitude :-)
Arriva Trains Wales Alstom 'Coradia' Class 175 diesel multiple unit 175 114 is pictured arriving at Manchester Piccadilly whilst working 1H94 18:51 Chester - Manchester Airport on June 21st, 2018.
Mt Athos - Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra – Simonopetra , Chalkidiki , Greece.Άγιο Όρος, Ιερά Μονή Σίμωνος Πέτρας , Χαλκιδική, Ελλάδα. George @ . Ατενίζοντας την υπέροχη θέα του καταγάλανου Αιγαίου. Η ΑΕΤΟΦΩΛΙΑ , ΤΟ ΤΟΛΜΗΡΟΤΕΡΟ ΟΙΚΟΔΟΜΗΜΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΟΡΟΥΣ