Stranger # 011 - a photo on Flickriver

Stranger # 011

Stranger number 11 is Big Grey.
I spotted him at a small gig venue in east london where he stood head & shoulders above everyone else at the concert. Based on the way he looked I got the impression he’d probably have lived an interesting life & would be something of a character.
During the interval between bands I spoke to him and explained the 100 strangers project and as luck would have it, he was not only aware of flickr but he is a performer for bizarre circus and agreed to be part of my portrait project.

Fortunately I also had some lighting equipment in my car that I had used earlier in the day to take a portrait for a friend.

For me Big Grey was actually difficult to photograph. He was almost a foot taller than me and with his top hat appeared to be a bit of a giant; I had to stand on a bench so I could get level with his eye-line.

Perhaps because of my inexperience with directing subjects and the fact that he is a performer used to being in front of the camera he started to pull some performance poses. I had a fixed lens so had to move as he moved. Balancing on a narrow bench also wasn’t helping.
I felt hindered by the location, the light and my lack of experience of photographing such a dynamic and animated character. I know I missed some great shots but think under the circumstances I managed to capture a couple of reasonable images.

We chatted about music, the circus, performing & naturally we discussed photography. Big Grey did look a little menacing but his face is full of character so I thought it was worth asking him to take part. He was far more approachable and receptive than I had anticipated. Also extremely patient and I’m grateful he agreed to let me photograph him for my project.

If you’d like to know more about his performances please follow the link: www.biggrey.co.uk

Strobist information: Off camera Canon speed light 430EX ll at 1/2 power directed into a silver reflective umbrella using Hahnel Tuff wireless trigger.
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This picture is #011 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

Taken on: April 14, 2015

Tags:

Big Grey

canon 6d

Canon

Canon EX430 ll

100 strangers

depth of field

DoF

flash photography

Portrait

portraiture

humans of london

london life

Punk

people

performer « less

Sets appears in: • People you might know? • 100 strangers

Groups appears in: • Favorites: 15 • 8,000 Views Unlimited 8000

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