Honorable Mention in the ‘People’ category
Delighted to have been awarded an Honorable Mention in the ‘People’ category at this years reFocus Photography Awards. On this occasion I was walking back from a photography assignment along Piccadilly in Mayfair on a cold dark January night. One of London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, and one of my favourite areas for street photography. Many of my favourite photographs I’ve taken over the years have been between assignments. In the distance I spotted a gentleman with dreadlocks wearing a tatty three-pieced suit, smoking his pipe whilst stood outside a coffee bar.
“Make it quick!” was all he said
I was carrying my Leica M10-P over my shoulder and knew I had to photograph this guy. I stopped and spoke to the man briefly and he agreed to let me photograph him, “Make it quick!” was about all he said. The light was so minimal I had to open the 35mm f1.4 Summilux to its maximum aperture. Focusing on the smallest of margins. I barely shot 5 frames before he told me that was enough and I continued my journey hoping one of my frames was pin sharp on his dark eyes.
Loneliness looking into the distance
I really like the mood of this portrait and the way the man continues to look into the distance as if I wasn’t there. A moment of solace and being physically alone. The detail showing where someone has tried to sow up the shoulder of his winter overcoat. Then the loneliness in his eyes and smoke rising from his pipe towards the dark winter sky.
Please feel free to contact me for any portrait enquiries info@jeffgilbert.co.uk
