462/500 - Tom - a photo on Flickriver

462/500 - Tom

I saw him leaning against the windows of Toronto’s downtown mall, the Eaton Centre. Who wouldn’t take notice if this fellow with his strong look, red beard, and colorful tattoos, wearing a black t-shirt with the words “Raised by Wolves?”

I approached him directly and he stepped away from the windows to meet me, suggesting an openness to meeting me. I told him of my project and asked if he would participate and in a clearly English accent he said he’d be glad to. We shook hands. Meet Tom.

Tom turned out to be a Graphic Design student at a College in Toronto but he is from Newcastle upon Tyne in Northeast England on the river Tyne. A Google search told me that it is the most populous city in NE England, was built on the site of a Roman city, and has been known for the wool trade, coal mining, shipbuilding, and more recently for producing Newcastle Brown Ale. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_upon_Tyne) “How long have you been in Toronto?” “Less than a year.” “What brought you to Toronto?” “My mother married a Canadian and moved here and they convinced me to come and study. Her husband is a designer and encouraged me to attend the program he attended and introduced me to some people in the field. It’s been great!”

Tom clearly loves his studies and explained that he was in a “dead end job” back in Newcastle where he worked as a bookie in a legal betting office. He said the clientele were mostly rough people, low-income and many with substance abuse issues. “Not a very nice place to work, especially being a part of their wasting money they didn’t have to waste.” I agreed that it seems he has definitely improved his situation by coming to Toronto and studying and he said he loves Toronto and finds the people very friendly. Tom came across as very friendly with a warm personality which is somewhat in contrast to the image his photos project. My guess is that he has been used to presenting himself as strong and no push-over in his former working environment. I have found that sometimes subjects who appear a bit intimidating at first glance turn out to be the nicest people and Tom is a good example of this. One of the tattoos on his neck shows a rose with the word “Mum” beneath it (mixed in with a bloody switchblade knife!)

Tom was glad to move around a bit as I took my photos, making the best of the mall window behind him which was reflecting life on Yonge St. – Toronto’s central north-south street. He was also obliging in removing his sunglasses for a few of the photos.

In selecting the main photo for the project I surprised myself as I kept coming back to this photo which does not depict his colorful tattoos which were a big part of his presence. I just thought this photo had more impact and less clutter. I’m including some of the tattoo photos as comment pictures.

When I mentioned Newcastle Brown Ale, the famous brew from Tom’s hometown he laughed and said he was surprised to discover how popular the brew is in Toronto. “It’s a bit of a shock, though, to have to pay import prices for it. I’m not used to that.”

Thank you Tom for taking the time to meet and for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #462 in Round 5 of my project. I’m glad Toronto suits you. I wish you well in your studies.

Update: I received a nice email from Tom thanking me for the photos which he really liked. He said he enjoyed looking at all my project photos and wished me well with my project. You’re welcome Tom. “True Gent” indeed.

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/
To browse Round 2 of my 100 Strangers project click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157634422850489/
To browse Round 3 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157635541434065/
To browse Round 4 of my 100 Strangers project click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157639207561566/

Taken in: Canada / Ontario / Toronto (show map)

Taken on: May 12, 2014

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461

462

Sets appears in: • 100 Strangers Project - Round 5

Groups appears in: • One Face @ a Time ~ Street Portraiture • Portraits... Get Closer! more » • Can I take your picture? • STRANGERS! • 100 Strangers • Prime Lens Portraits • M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8 Olympus µFT • Olympus PEN-F,OM-D E-M1, E-M10, E-M5 and E-M5II user • Street Portraits Only • Olympus E-M1 Photography « less

Camera: Olympus E-M1, f/2.5, 1/2000 sec, 45mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus E-M1
Aperture:	f/2.5
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/2000)
Focal Length:	45mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS4 Windows
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