Street Portrait (for and of Ally), 2013
I had to run quite a distance (most undignified), and weave my way through thick knots of tourists to get to Ally. She was obviously in a hurry to get somewhere, but she was so nice about letting me take a few shots. This is the first and my favourite. I don’t need to say how great she looks! Thanks very much for stopping, Ally! Hope you like your picture.
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A big advert for super-collaborator, Richard, who’s mass observation project can be seen here.
The Future Is Papier Mâché 
Beautiful light in this Richard. And Ally is so beautifully glamorous.
Yes, it was a lucky day for light – sunny intervals on quite a dramatic scale – spotlights catching people all day. Ally’s great isn’t she?
The echoed heart shape-Excellent!
Thanks very much, Elena!
A beauty indeed!
Yes, I couldn’t agree more.
beautiful! indeed like a heart…
Yes, indeed. Thanks very much, Inge.
an instant classic! great light, indeed.
Thanks so much, Peter! Much appreciated.
A lovely fashionista, indeed! And a fine fashion photo, Richard. I like this one as much as any you ever shot. Is this the 50mm? I ask because of the nice bokeh and the fine detail in the portrait.
Yes, indeed. Thanks very much, George. Yes, it was taken with the 50mm – it’s my favourite lens. I turned a corner with the portraits when I started using it.
I just read a rave review of the new Nikkor 50mm. I have a Nikon camera and am tempted to buy it although it is pricey. I used my Nikkor 35mm today and was surprised at how much sharper the images are. I may spring for the Nikkor 50mm … depending on what Ken Rockwell says about it. Your portraits are really sharp and I like the way the lens handles backgrounds too.
Yes, the 50mm was a major step up in picture sharpness for me (my 35mm is even sharper, but I can’t get on with it – I like my picture plain as flat as possible). Before that I was just using the kit lens, which was also a lot of fun, but now I get to move around a lot more. I read somewhere that the 50mm was the closest you could get to a good portrait lens with the kind of SLR I have, so I went for it and have not regretted it. Good luck with your decision, George.
The 50mm is only good for portraits when using a sensor that is smaller than the 35mm negative (of which there are many). Then the 50 turns into a 75, and that can be very nice with portraits.
Beautiful woman, Ally looks like someone from the 40s or 50s in the movie star set. Great portrait.
Yes, indeed. I really like Ally’s look – it looks like a natural extension of her personality. Thanks very much, Angeline.
A stunning portrait, a credit to both you and Ally.
I confess a deep envy for someone who can carry of such style with the elegance it warrants…
Me too 😦 Thanks very much, EllaDee.
What a well captured portrait – there’s some Madonna (the singer) over it… 🙂
she’s so pretty… a mod feel
Yes, indeed – thanks very much for your comment, Eliyarain.
What a rare person, I have no words. Uff! I’m so glad for you Richard. Cool finish.
Ally was really nice. I love her expression in this shot. Thanks very much, Arjun.
Thank you Richard. You inspire me!
One of your best IMO. !!!
Thanks very much, Kathryn! That’s great to hear!
You are welcome.
Great portrait. Love the combination retro hair style and fur (hopefully fake) coat, like a movie star from Hollywood’s golden era.
Yes, Ally’s really got that look. Thanks very much, Stevie – glad you like the shot.
Richard, well worth the run! Like the shot and she´s a very ellegant lady – touch of Madonna?
Ha, ha, yes indeed! Thanks very much, Charles!
Gosh, those time travelers lover London. I don’t think they come to my city nearly as often.
Glamorous indeed, and as Elena mentioned I see the echoed heart shape too, which is extraordinary.
Yes, it’s really interesting that echo – I wonder how conscious it is. Hopefully, Ally will come on here and we can ask her.
When I visit your place here after an interval, like now, it hits me how I have missed it.
It’s always such a treat to stop by, see the beautiful Londoners you have trapped in your clever lens. 🙂
Ally is amazingly beautiful. And are those real roses in her hair? Wow! Your running, undignified, got you results!!
🙂 Thanks very much, MJ! That’s lovely to hear.
Yes, often the effort of running is repaid with a good subject. Ally’s great isn’t she?
She was obviously on her way to an audition. Or rehearsal. She looks like the most beautiful stage actress or film actress! 🙂
I agree! Ally was great. Very glamorous!
love the soft colours in this photo, suits the 1940s style. I love the Nikon 50mm 1.4, it is the only lens I own, you have to work to get your photos.
Thanks very much, Mike. Yes, the colour I toned down slightly in PS – nothing to do with the scene, just my camera settings. I’ve not tried Nikon, but will do when I’m in the market for a new camera. I agree – and the work is worth it – I find shooting with a 50mm more rewarding all round.
Lovely lovely lovely! Girls dressed up like this always look so photogenic, and are of course! She looks like a really nice person too. Gorgeous shot.
Yes, Ally was lovely – cool, confident and friendly – pretty much as she comes across in the shot. Thanks very much, Nancy! I’m really glad you like it.
ciao! i so like the light in this portrait…ally was worth the chase.
thebestdressup
Yes, indeed! Thanks very much, TBD!
How did I miss this one? I absolutely love her look! Wonderful photograph too. really brings out her character.
Yes, Ally really inhabits her look, I think. Thanks very much, Jennifer! 🙂
Well done…intriguingly off-centered.
Thanks very much, John.
I love Ally’s look and also the focus of the camera, and the rich colours and lighting.
Thanks very much, Cheryl. Me too. The light was a gift that day – intermittent sunshine that acted like spotlights.
I love the sharpness of this Richard, especially in contrast to the background.
Thanks very much, Alison. The 50mm is a great lens for creating that effect.
Did you have her tuck her hair in ? Do you ever suggest dong somethiing?
really nice.so what style is she in?t is it 30’s ?
No, I didn’t – the shot was just the way Ally looked. Very occasionally I’ll ask somebody to do something I spotted them doing that looked great, but mostly I like people to do whatever they feel comfortable with.
Yes, indeed. I think it’s 40s with a twist.
nice hairdo… but was it intentional that her roots are showing?
I’ve no idea – I could ask – I pass where Ally works pretty much everyday.