Friday, January 16, 2009

Ann 6/100 - Mike

This one is a partial cheat. Although Mike is a stranger, Robert, with whom he was standing, manages my favourite coffee shop (Beanbah in Macquarie Street, Sydney). Mike seemed as uncomfortable as I was and insisted on putting his sunnies back on which is a shame as he's much better looking without them.

10 comments:

bitingmidge said...

They look like his little brothers sunnies too, and that adds a sort of eccentricity that I like.

When viewed from one angle the white reflection over the "A and N" looks for all the world like Santa Claus!

I like the B&W, but what was the motivation for not using colour? I can never decide.

Julie said...

Yes, I like the B&W too. I would like to know why you chose it. Did you take it that way or desaturate it in your "darkroom"?

You have really put him into his context, Ann. I like this one of yours very much. I think this is about the closest you have got to your subject thus far. Goodo ...

Ann said...

My little camera won't take b&w (or not that I can find anyway). The original had a very blue tinge to it, I think because of the time of day so I thought I'd see what it looked like in b&w. I've always liked b&w portraits.

Funny story, I was so strung out after taking today's photo (on the station) that I completely missed my stop. All of a sudden we were in daylight and I thought what the f*ck! we're out of the tunnel and heading for Kings Cross.

The photos are improving but the asking and conversation isn't getting any easier. Although when I think about it, I've always found it difficult to talk to men.

Julie said...

You and Peter make a right pair! Look at his list: not one woman amongst them!!

I can just see that: zooming off to the X when you wanted to get off at, what, MP or SJ?

What brand camera have you? Let's see if we can find the B&W function. Although, the tips so to KISS until you pass 20!

Ann said...

Olympus FE340, I'm fairly certain it doesn't have one.

Should have got off at MP. I was actually studying the tatts on the guy opposite and going through the head conversation of "he's too young, he'll say no, the train is moving, there isn't time etc, etc". My stomach is still screwed up from this morning's effort, although he was absolutely lovely and I got some nice shots. I've taken a few men now but its really difficult.

bitingmidge said...

Don't get me wrong, it's not as if I don't find women attractive.......... :-)

Julie said...

That's precisely what makes it all the more impressive, you realise. I am starting to realise that I am learning a lot more about myself and about other people and that the photography is only a means to that end. Good psychologising from whomsoever thought this project through.

Julie said...

Yes, yes, Pierre ... but us ordinary looking women find men very confronting!

Ann said...

I didn't take the guy with tatts by the way, he got off before I got the courage up.

bitingmidge said...

There's a lot of mutual feeling here! Too much for our own good methinks!

How can we learn if we never argue?

I often get "ordinary looks" from the women in my life so I can't see the problem for you. ;-)

Ann, ref your camera. Give it a go on Portrait Mode with Face detection turned on, that MAY trick it into exposing on your subject, ie turning the flash on if you forget. This is just a MAY of course. We had a point and shoot in the film days that I used to trick by holding my finger over the exposure meter hole.

Cheers