Street Portrait (for and of Madeleine) #1, 2013
This is Madeleine as I first spotted her on Great Queens Street. The flash of orange amongst all the grey and brown, her hair, her stance! I dithered about whether to ask her for a portrait and in the process nearly missed my chance as she went into a doorway. Yes, I ran. And I’m really pleased she said yes. What great style! Thanks very much, Madeleine! Hope you like your picture.
Street Portrait (for and of Madeleine) #2, 2013
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If you want to see all the street portraits to date in one place, go here: http://tfipmremix.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/london-faces-remix/
I really love this one. What a vivid portrait! And you’re right, there’s something about that stance (and coat, and hair) which really adds to the surrounding environment…
Thanks very much! Yes, I think she adds life to the surroundings.
Agree with you, she captures the attention – both in portrait and in the streets – a very nice orange queen – very well captured… 🙂
Thank you very much, Drake! 🙂
Wow, that first shot is really nice work. It almost gives the impression that she was waiting for someone who she wasn’t quite sure was going to show. She seems very deep in thought. And the color of her coat adds a sense of urgency to the entire scene.
Thank you so much, Alex. Yes, there was definitely some important business going on there. I guess I was drawn to her stance because it communicated as much. Thanks!
truly wonderful images
Thanks very much, Shimon – I take that as a big compliment. I’m really glad you like them.
Beautiful lighting, colour and Madeline definitely brightens up the grey city. I particularly like the first photograph, and am so glad you took two shots!
Thanks so much, Cheryl! Yes, me too!
Great photo capture and details. She’s pretty. I enjoy your photos, thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much! Yes, she is.
The first imagecaptivates me… I love the street portraits when you include the background with the person not strictly the portrait style… and now you’ve done both. Wonderful. The way you’ve framed Madeline’s stance, appearance in juxaposition with the environment is strikung 🙂
Thanks very much, EllaDee! Yes, the recent ones have all been close-ups, so I thought I’d mix it up a bit. Thanks! 🙂
I see I’ve missed quite a few great street shots. The top one is fabulous. Great contrast between her coat/hair and the grey. Nice implied narrative.
Thanks very much, Deanne – that’s really nice to hear. Thanks – that first shot was one of those compulsive moments – I had to take it.:)
Love the colour-pop of orange on the dark background. It’s interesting to see these style of portraits together. They are so different and both excellent!
Thanks very much, Karen! I thought it might be interesting to show my thought process as I lumbered from street shot to portrait. I wonder what Madeleine makes of it.
I like both and I like them together. Madeline is the perfect model for a grey day. The angles of your portraits always strike me as just right. You have little time to frame the shots. I’m guessing it’s an instinctive thing reflecting the way in which you see. Wonderful. 🙂
Thank you so much, George. Yes, Madeleine’s image really demanded to be photographed. I found the orange of her coat and the way she had her hair so striking. Yes, I try not to over-think my portrait shots – just get the person in the frame in a pleasing way and do it. The street shot was more conventionally composed, and just required a wait for the traffic to clear out of the way.
wow! Madeline looks lovely. She dresses lovely…. and I must confess, I look forward to your street portraits every day. They are so amazing and leave me with ideas… images… and often, morsels for thought!
Thank you so much, MJ! I’m really glad the portraits do something – that’s very gratifying to hear.
I think these are getting better and better all the time, Richard. I LOVE the first one, for reasons already memtioned above. Putting the long shot together with the close-up is inspired. Both great portraits.
Thanks so much, Ashley! I’m really glad you like them (I’m quite pleased with #1, because it was my first victory over the new lens and its prescribed use).
Another great image! And a very photogenic subject! 🙂
Yes, indeed! Madeleine was really nice about being photographed too! Thanks very much, Richard! 🙂
I agree – a superb pair of photographs Richard. The colour and the feeling.
Thanks very much, Philippa! The first shot represents a step in the direction of creativity with the new lens for me, so I’m really glad you like them.
Nice. I really like the wide framing in the first shot and the off-centre placement. That bright orange coat against the greyish background brings to mind the girl in the red coat/dress in Schlinder’s List.
Ah, yes, I’d forgotten about that – that technique was so innovative at the time. Still find that film profoundly upsetting. Thanks very much, Stevie.
A real standout!
Thank you my friend – that is very gratifying to hear. The first shot was the first where I felt like I’d achieved a street shot, so your words are very encouraging.
What a beautiful girl!
Yes, indeed!
such fantastic energy
Yes, indeed! Madeleine seemed like a very “up” person – she was really nice!
She has lots of fans- like both pics!!
Yes, indeed! Thanks very much, VC!
Warm, orangey, and beautiful!
Yes, indeed! Thanks, Elena.
Seems like a person I would like to get to know more…. 🙂 Warm and intriguing at the same time I think. Lovely–.
Thanks very much, Rose. Yes, Madeleine’s great isn’t she? Love your work.
Great portrait!
Thanks very much!
Such a gorgeous portrait – I’m loving your colours at the moment!
Thanks, Cath! I think maybe it’s that flat grey light – it really brings the colour out.
La primera parece la escena de otra película y la segunda me parece buenísima, ese abrigo a juego con su cabello la hace una toma especial, besos Richard
Thanks very much, Manoli! That’s a really nice observation – I’m glad it looks filmic. Yes, Madeleine’s sense of colour is brilliant isn’t it?
I am so glad you left this one in colour, I don’t think it would have had the same impact if it was in black and white. Love the contrast of the coat and the hair.
No, I think you’re completely right – the colour was essential here. Thanks very much, Leanne.
Richard, I have a lot of catching up to do, and just made my way through LOTS of your amazing photographs. I stopped here to say WOW, her face is so full of light. I love both images (the composition of the first is spectacular). There is a wonderful balance to the second that I can’t quite pinpoint–maybe the dark background with her illuminated face. Anyway, great, great post!
Thanks very much, Melanie! That’s really great to hear. She’s great isn’t she?