Balloon Man

Chris Dodkin

Chris Dodkin

West Coast Correspondent
I spotted this 'interesting' looking old soul, doing kids balloon toys from his booth at Seaport Village - San Diego.

As he wasn't busy at the time, I walked up and asked if he minded being included in a photo - he was happy to oblige :)

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X-Pro1 35mm at f2.8 1/280 +2EV - ISO200 - PP in Topaz B&W
 
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now that's a great shot, a great looking character.......... you have big balls man to go up to stranger like that..........i envy your cheek, your a photography ability and that dam X-Pro1 :D

Daz
 
Thanks Darren - I walked past him three times before I finally figured I may as well just ask and get it over with.

He was super nice - I said he had an interesting face, and asked if anyone had said that to him before.

He laughed and said no.

Took three shots - one terribly under exposed due to backlighting - and two that were dialed in with +2EV

It was all done in seconds and I thanked him and went on my way

Gives me some confidence for the next victim... errrrr subject :D
 
I dont have issues with chatting to strangers at all, pretty confident kinda chap.........but somehow asking to take their photo fills me with complete fear & dread........haha

Just shows on this occasion it was a brilliant idea to do though for you next victim can you go for a young female life guard "Baywatch styleeee" :p

He was super nice - I said he had an interesting face, and asked if anyone had said that to him before.
Click to expand...

that sounds like you was trying to chat him up :p
 
Very nice, Chris! Face full of character.

On the subject of asking people for a fotie,...I had an interesting encounter yesterday. (But have no fotie to prove it yet. Although maybe I will when I develop my next roll of 120.)

Took a trip around Terminal Island last night after work to take a few shots with my Kodak Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model C. I was lining up an old boarded up building for a shot and I saw this young fellow collecting lobster traps off the dock side. I asked him about the old building. One question led to another and I soon found myself interrogating "Joey" the lobster fisherman. It was fascinating!

Finally, when I ran out of questions he observed that my camera looked old. That was exactly what I had hoped for. My description of the camera soon led to a very comfortable and easy question,..."Mind if I take you picture?" The old camera was my opening. I had one frame left (only 8 in a roll with the old Hawk-Eye) so I hope it turns out. If it does I'll be sure to share it.
 
Hamish Gill said:
So a Fuji xpro1 gives you balls!?
Click to expand...

Yes, but the wife kicked both of them as punishment for buying 'another bleeping camera... :D

RE level of detail - this is a 50% crop of the original frame - detail is not an issue on the X-Pro1 as far as I can tell

I should have just used the 60mm lens, and cropped there and then - but I was too flustered!
 
Thanks Brian - looking forward to seeing the results from your outing with the Hawk-eye :)
 
Thanks Chaps - I do feel I finally crossed a line yesterday, a mental line at least.

Getting in somebody's space has always been a block for me, yet I've always visualized the shots that I would get if I just stepped up and got on with it.

Yesterday I got on with it! :)
 
Thanks Pete :)
 
Did you crop from the original or shoot this tight? I really like the composition on this very interesting individual.
 
Cropped in post processing Ralph - I originally had a full head-shot, but felt that this crop was more impactful
 
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