Fey - a photo on Flickriver

Fey

I have learned to enjoy my city wanderings even when they don’t result in encounters with strangers, but I definitely feel more rewarded when I meet an interesting person or take a photograph I am pleased with. Such was the case on this frigid Toronto morning. I had approached one potential subject who declined and was settling for having had a nice walk downtown, a cup of coffee, and a muffin.

As is so often the case, as soon as I lower my expectations, something positive happens. I’m sure there’s a psychological explanation – or is it just a chance phenomenon? I saw her outside the Eaton Center and immediately noted her attractive features and jewelry. Just as I approached her, she started interacting with some friends who were a bit boisterous and as I waited for her to turn around, I began to feel a bit like a hanger-on, waiting for her to turn around. Just then a friend said something about her being good-looking and that was my opening to jump in from behind and agree with his assessment and invite her to be part of my Human Family project. There was hesitation all around as she and her friends commented on their being short on time and wanting to get out of the cold. I persisted, saying I didn’t want to push the idea if she was against it, but that I could photograph her very quickly and they could then be on their way. One of the fellows stepped in as if he was in charge and said she was his girlfriend and it would cost me $5. I laughed it off and said “Hey, it’s not nice to try and profit from your girlfriend.” He backed off and let her decide and when she saw my contact card she agreed. Meet Fey.

She suggested we step into the mall where it was warmer but I said the light was poor inside and I wanted to make the photo a good one. I asked her to take a few steps to the side so I could use the painted wood hoarding alongside the mall building as a background and took the photos. She was immediately delighted with the results on my camera display. The conversation was very brief as her friends were eager to get inside. I did learn that Fey is 18 and she was born in Canada. Her parents, however, are Ethiopian and Eritrean. Both countries border each other in East Africa on the Horn of Africa. We only had time for me to get her email to send her the photo and ask her for her message to the project. She didn’t even pause to consider her message but said “Spread positivity to everyone you meet and everywhere you go.” What a great message for our project.

I thanked her friend for his patience and for not dinging me $5. He became more friendly and said he was just messing with me and wouldn’t have really asked for money. I told him that he had good taste in girlfriends. He laughed and said “That was just messing with you too. I wish she was my girlfriend!”

Thank you Fey for spending a few extra minutes out in the cold to meet and participate in my photography project. I hope you like your street portrait.

This is my 433rd submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.

You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.

Taken in: Canada / Ontario / Toronto / Downtown Toronto (show map)

Taken on: March 22, 2017

Tags:

Fey

street

Toronto

Eritrea

Ethiopia

The Human Family

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Sets appears in: • The Human Family - Round 14 • Set generated by "interestingness."

Groups appears in: • One Face @ a Time ~ Street Portraiture • Toronto is where I live more » • Portraits... Get Closer! • Can I take your picture? • STRANGERS! • National Geographic Faces of the World • Smiles/Sorrisi/Sonrisas • Human Faces: Fascinating Just the Way We Are • Micro Four Thirds (Micro 4/3) • Prime Lens Portraits • Mirrorless Movement • Portraits from the Street • People Portraits World • Mirrorless Photos • look my eyes • The Street Of Life (street photo) • Who Needs a Mirror? • Flickr-eyes • Olympus E-M1 Photography • Normal Lens Primes • Olympus OMD EM-1 • Olympus 25mm F/1.8 Lens (Micro Four Thirds) • Street Photographers Around the World • Great Portraits (10th.Year) • Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 • Street Portraits Close Ups Only • We Just Being Human • The Human Family • Makes you proud • One rule : WOMEN « less

Camera: Olympus E-M1, f/1.8, 1/640 sec, 25mm (=50mm), ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Olympus E-M1
Lens:	OLYMPUS M.25mm F1.8
Aperture:	f/1.8
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/640)
Focal Length:	25mm (35mm equivalent: 50mm)
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
Show full info

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