– Street Portrait (for and of Oli), 2014 –
Oli was enjoying a break outside a pub on Lamb Conduit Street, when I asked him if I could take his portrait. He was great about it (as was another customer – sorry didn’t get your name – who acted as impromptu stylist. I took six shots; this is the first and my favourite. Oli is a photographer (great portraits!) and web designer. You can see his photographs here and his web designs here. Thanks very much for letting me take your portrait, Oli! Hope you like your picture.
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I have just written an article for Leanne Cole about Street Portraits and the way I take them. You can read the article here.
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The Future Is Papier Mâché 
Love the images!
Thanks so much, Laura! I’m really glad you like them.
Your’e welcome! Next time can you be a bit quicker on your response?? hehe 😉
🙂
Enjoyed your article, Richard! Nice to read a bit more about how you go about your work. I kind of have this image in my head of you prowling around the streets of London, but I’m sure it’s not as predatory a process as that, and I know from reading your blog that a lot of it is pure chance. I really admire what you do, though, because frankly it would terrify me, and I can see that you have a talent for putting your subjects at ease, because otherwise you wouldn’t get such great results. I like that you are upfront about what you are doing as well. It’s like a magic formula that works so well. Just keep ’em coming… 🙂
🙂 Thanks so much, Emily! Glad you liked the article. It really is a combination of prowling (it’s fun when you’re not doing it seriously) and luck – some of the best shots have involved me virtually tripping over my subjects. Yes, it’s scary every single time, but I’m completely addicted to it now. Thanks!
Superb! The first image is definitely my favorite portrait in your list! What an eye-catcher 🙂
Thanks very much, Anette! Really glad you like the shot – hope Oli gets to see it 🙂
Excellent…again. 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
That second portrait is like a sneaky one, I really like that.
I think the guest post you wrote was fantastic, so congratulations, so informative and engaging.
Thanks so much, Leanne – that’s really lovely to hear! And thanks very much for giving me the opportunity!
Yes, sneaky can be good too…
I just have to like Oli!
Yes, indeed! Thanks, Chris!
My pleasure Richard, as always!
I love this portrait, Richard. I like the way all the prints work together with the floral background.
Will pop over to read the article now.
I’m really pleased you like it – Oli was just like another very summery person – I thought he was great about the shots given that he’s a portrait photographer himself. Thanks very much.
Great portrait of Oli, Richard. He looks like someone who would be interesting to hang around with! Also, I really enjoyed reading your article for Leanne Cole, it was nice to see some of my favorite portraits of yours included.
Thanks very much, Alex. Yes, I wish I’d had more time – he and the other guys outside the pub were great fun. Taking these shots really restores my faith in people. I’m glad you liked the article – it’s an age since I had to write an essay.
Love the background for Oli and Oli himself. What a great composition. And just love the man lurking amidst reflections. So perfect!
Thanks so much, Ellen! Yes, the flowers were a real bonus – not many pubs have such interesting arrangements. Thanks!
Another lovely portrait, Richard. YES. I agree with the others. The background plays nicely with Oli’s coat and tie. The second portrait would make a fabulous book cover! ~ Theadora
Thanks so much, T! Yes, Oli’s clothes were really nice – very snappy – the florals just seemed right. Thanks!
Great portrait, Richard! The photo works really well with the candid image too! 🙂
A superb blog with Leanne too! A great insight into how you go about taking the shots, and technically useful too! 😀
Thanks very much, my friend! 🙂
Thanks very much, Richard 🙂 I wanted to show two sides of street photography.
Awesome portrait! I’ll head over to Leanne’s blog and read your stuff now.
Thanks very much, Cardinal!
I’m enjoying Oli’s design & photography. Fantastic photograph; that background really ties in everything together (Oli’s jacket, sunglasses, smile).
Yes, he’s great isn’t he? Thanks very much, Billimarie!
Great article, portrait of Olli (the patterns are magnificent), and reflective shot with terrific composition!
Thanks so much, Elena! I’m so glad you like them – I really liked Oli – he was a gent.
Love the shots of Oli and your essay talking about how you go about doing what you are doing. I can better understand now the parameters of your activity doing street photography and portraits and imagine it happening. Really enjoyed your description of the historical background to this sort of artistry. Thanks Richard!
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading it and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I quite like the idea of being a peddlar.
Wow! Oil is a bit of a dreamboat, isn’t he? What a guy! Your photos are beautiful Ricky! 🙂
Thanks very much, Gigi – it’s been a weird day and you’ve cheered me up no end! 🙂
🙂
Oh, the portrait is wonderful. I love how he is full engaged in the process – and how reflections in glasses always add another almost secret dimension.
There is a real mystery in the other image which is a striking contrast! Great.
I’ll check out your guest post too, I’m sure it will be interesting!
Thanks very much, Karen. Yes, it was a really fun three-way collaboration between Oli, myself and the other patron (who I wish I’d asked his name). I wish I could have stayed for a pint with them.
ciao! oli is the best bloom…and the reflection on the glass of both photos adds the layer of interest that leads to the post about your approach to taking your photos- you reveal the layers-whats behind the ‘glass’ eye. you rock.
thebestdressup
Thanks so much, you say the nicest things!
Love the jocular nature captured of Oli in the portrait. And another great reflection shot with the usual impeccable framing!
Yes, Oli was great – it was a fun process. Thanks very much for the compliment!
A great character shot. I like the juxtaposition between Oli’s crisp and smart style and the more ambiguous second portrait.
Thanks very much, Cheryl. Yes, I sort of wanted to show two different sides to photographing people in the street. I don’t do so much of the second kind anymore.
This one’s so good Richard. I love the contrast between his checks and the flowers in the background. Lots of detail but Oli still manages to dominate the frame. Well, done, Richard, excellent job.
Thanks so much, Ashley. I’m really glad you like it. Oli was so easy to photograph.
Your fabulous portrait of Oli is so good I can hear his voice and laugh. Who wouldn’t want to go to lunch with Oli!!
I know – he was great! Wish I could have stayed and had a pint with him. Thanks very much, Patti!
I have some catching up to do on your blog, but I love that second shot. Really niiceeeee!
Thanks so much, Jennifer!