Taken yesterday evening on Queen Street West in Parkdale, a neighbourhood of Toronto that while run down and home to many street people, is slowly being gentrified. As such it is a curious, mixed demographic of old and new, rich and poor that never fails to surprise.
While waiting for a photo group I was to lead to show up, I noticed a curiously dressed street person at an intersection who would run along a lane of cars waiting to make a right turn, knocking on each drivers' window, asking for change. When the cars began to turn he'd run along the sidewalk back to the corner and wait for the light to turn red, whereupon he'd run out to the first car in line and begin his efforts again.
After watching him for a few minutes he stopped to have a cigarette and I approached him, introduced myself and engaged him in conversation for a few minutes. I then asked for permission to take an informal portrait, which he was kind enough to grant and I took this shot.
Nikon D3
zoom-Nikkor 24~70 2.8 AF G ED
5.6 @ 1/640th, ISO 200
Helpful Posts: 0
Results 1 to 3 of 3
Thread: Aaron in Parkdale-1
-
25th May 2018, 01:49 PM #1
- Join Date
- Jul 2015
- Location
- Thornhill, a suburb of Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Posts
- 970
- Real Name
- Robert
Aaron in Parkdale-1
-
26th May 2018, 02:04 PM #2
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Southern California, USA
- Posts
- 17,402
- Real Name
- Richard
Re: Aaron in Parkdale-1
I thought that I had previously replied to this posting but, I guess that I did not...
I really like this image. The stark white background accentuates Aaron's grimy appearance. His pose is really great - I love the position of his feet and the Napoleonic position of his hands. I even like the inclusion of the plastic water bottle at his feet. I don't know why but, it seems to add something for me. Aaron's expression is priceless but, I wish that his face might be a bit brighter...
-
26th May 2018, 03:18 PM #3
- Join Date
- Jul 2015
- Location
- Thornhill, a suburb of Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Posts
- 970
- Real Name
- Robert
Re: Aaron in Parkdale-1
Thank you Richard.
Originally Posted by rpcrowe
The photogods were smiling that evening as they also thoughtfully provided me with a large white-painted rectangular section of wall for Aaron to pose against. Other than explaining that I wanted a whole-body shot, Aaron assumed this pose without any suggestion or coaxing from me. While post-processing, I debated whether to include the water bottle or not, and after playing with a crop that eliminated it, decided to leave it in, to give the shot a bit of asymmetry.
As for the exposure on his face, I actually did brighten it in Post-processing, but didn't want to overdo it, so this was the result.
Robert
Reply With Quote
