Ask

This is Rachel.

Seeing her Sunbathing on my road stopped me dead in my tracks. I have lived in my neighbourhood all my life and not seen this before.

I said “hello”, we had a nice chat and I left her to enjoy the sun ☀️.

While thinking about this moment over my morning Cappuccino, I thought to myself, ask her for a photograph on the way back.

She was very friendly and said YES.

As a Street Photographer, candid moments can be epic.

Disturbing the scene kills the moment.

Some moments deserve an interaction of some kind. I was using a 35mm Lens this morning and I am glad I was because it forced me to get in close to frame this shot.

The interaction with Rachel laid the foundation for rapport and humanity.

These are my favourite kind of images to create because the collaboration between me and my subject makes the image. This has humanity and integrity for me.

Sure, I use a long Lens where required and on some days I feel my 18-135 or 55-200mm matches my mood. Some days, I just don’t feel like talking to anyone.

Today, I was forced to because of my prime Lens 35mm.

The XF35mm 1.4 is a beautiful optics for Portraits. I would not have created this image like this without asking if I could create the Portrait.

I learnt a deep lesson; a great Portrait moment is an opportunity to acknowledge the existence and life of another human being. This is a wonderful thing to give away to someone. I don’t need a camera to do this, this is who I am.

I say good morning to strangers in my neighbourhood - it’s the Caribbean in me.

So, remember this, say hello, that’s how it begins and allow the context in the moment to drive the conversation.

Allow the Force to guide you - it works.

☀️🌈