the prophet
Michael was singing with his guitar when I approached him. He noticed my camera and to my surprise he asked me if I'd like to take some photos of him. The 5-minute build up of adrenaline seemed to have been unnecessary.
He asked me if it's gonna be a colour or black-and-white, to which I replied definitely a black-and-white. He smiled and said he always prefers that format. He also warned me not to use flash if I want him to look at the camera.
As if there hadn't been enough surprises, he also took a small book out of his T-Shirt and insisted that I keep it. He then claimed to be a prophet and started talking about the upcoming armageddon and how his book would help me understand it. Going through the book at home, it turns out that Michael holds double degrees and have some interest in astrophotography.
I had taken quite a few shots when I asked him if I could take one last shot before the goodbye. To my delight this last shot happens to be my favourite too. There's something about his thoughtful stare, and of course I love how the wind blows his hair slightly here.
Stranger #5.
www.100Strangers.com
Comments and faves
Alfonso Teruel, Santiago G., mattblock, MuraGlia g., and 67 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Johannes Reinhart (5 months ago | reply)
Wow, what a beautiful character portrait!
LJDAVISDESIGNLLC (5 months ago | reply)
Oh Kelvin- This portrait is just Fantastic. Will you put it on a map, so we can see where you've taken it? Just Wonderful...
-spacegoat- (5 months ago | reply)
Pete Hyde (5 months ago | reply)
A wonderful portrait Kelvin, I really like the rather high-key b&w treatment.
bobdeinphoto (5 months ago | reply)
Arresting image; I have to look at it again and again.
B3 Photography (5 months ago | reply)
What a beautiful portrait! Fantastic.
bomvu (5 months ago | reply)
Great shot and brilliantly processed - the contrast is superb!
Beresford (Bere,Berry) Mitchell (5 months ago | reply)
great subject, fabulously captured, wonderfully cropped and perfectly processed.
kudos.
zubrow (5 months ago | reply)
Awesome portrait!
Maggon (Falke) (5 months ago | reply)
That's a great shot of a great character. The high key without flash works great.
gtpete63 (5 months ago | reply)
A very intimate portrait. An interesting story & stranger.
AutisticReaction (5 months ago | reply)
Wonderful story and photograph Kelvin, It's always amazing who one can find and where they can be found.
sheepeck (5 months ago | reply)
Awesome shot. Definitely BW.
Flappy Bob's Photography (5 months ago | reply)
Simply outstanding! Sincere congratulations!
jeffiebrown (5 months ago | reply)
Awesome portrait mate!
Photography by Darren R (5 months ago | reply)
Wow! You really nailed this one.
Congrats mate.
green-dinosaur (5 months ago | reply)
Really excellent portrait, it would be my favourite too! Geotagging is cool!
heavenly~flower (5 months ago | reply)
wow. the face, the hair, full frame and b&w~one of the finest stranger shots i've come across.
krapow (5 months ago | reply)
I really like the way you cropped this, it works well with his beard and hair
The Macro Queen (5 months ago | reply)
WOW!! This is just brilliant Kelvin. Nice work!!
PerthSteve (5 months ago | reply)
Cool shot and an interesting story. The interesting part is if this guy approached you for any other reason I think most people wouldn't look twice at him and even steer clear!
First thing that came to my mind is Merlin/Gandalph/Dumbledore (all based on the same premise).
Al Fed (5 months ago | reply)
very special - tight and intense!
mcbarry3 (5 months ago | reply)
Fantastic work here - my compliments!
Tetley T (5 months ago | reply)
Great shot! Looks a lot like Leonardo.
This photo was invited and added to the Old men are beautiful group.
Jessica Truscott (5 months ago | reply)
fantastic shot
-spacegoat- (5 months ago | reply)
thanks everyone! :-)
Massimo "Polpo" Neriotti (5 months ago | reply)
Very good shot. Bravo!
Polpo.
pmcconnochie (5 months ago | reply)
Wild, you capture the prophetic wildness in him perfectly, good luck for the armageddon!
Nina Matthews Photography (5 months ago | reply)
Awesome shot - you could do so much with this bloke
Top shot !!
Kung Fu Cowboy (5 months ago | reply)
Wonderful portrait and story. The two go hand in hand which is almost surprising considering you had just met him.
bratli (5 months ago | reply)
Captivating...
Light Bulb Works (5 months ago | reply)
Great portrait! The black and white process really brings out the detail and the aura from this 'prophet'
Mathbarra (5 months ago | reply)
Stunning!!
.. emeL .. (5 months ago | reply)
it is stunning, and more so after reading your thumbnail sketch which is also stunning.
well done. what an image and what a story!
chris_florio (5 months ago | reply)
I can't say how amazing this is.... I just don't have the vocabulary!
bozzo2m (5 months ago | reply)
Awesome portrait !
momtogirltwins (5 months ago | reply)
This picture is absolutely amazing. I absolutely love it.
Shutterlag-dame (5 months ago | reply)
Nicely done! I like how his beard and hair frame the features of his face. Simple and powerful
thanker212 (5 months ago | reply)
exito2099 (5 months ago | reply)
Such a captivating portrait and his eyes really draw you in.
The story behind it makes it more intriguing too, well done Kelvin!
YetAnotherLisa (5 months ago | reply)
great story and a truly amazing portrait.
-spacegoat- (5 months ago | reply)
thanks again everyone for the great comments!
i'm personally really stoked having taken this photo. the whole process was rather simple compared to many other images i've taken in the past, but this is one of my personal favourites for the reason i struggle to describe. maybe it's that feeling where you feel like you've captured something precious.
WyomingGeezer (5 months ago | reply)
Wonderful photograph and great story. Your effort here is an inspiration to me and might just tip me over the edge to doing my own 100 Strangers project.
Manuela.Pausan (4 months ago | reply)
Wow, amazing photo and story!
Alli Tray (4 months ago | reply)
Truly a remarkable man with a very interesting life!
Nicolò P. (4 months ago | reply)
This portrait is superb!
Bruiser65 (Bruce) (4 months ago | reply)
Great shot, great subject! Congrats
PerthSteve (4 months ago | reply)
Surely this pic should make it to Explore
Paul Pryor (4 months ago | reply)
Amazing portrait, Kelvin! Perfect in B&W. This is really an exceptional image with so much character. Thanks for the story, too. Very nice work!
le soll (4 months ago | reply)
***
Natural n strong look.
FANTASTIC IMAGE !!!
BRAVO !!!
***
MegaSnapper (3 months ago | reply)
Amazing
tvphoto (2 months ago | reply)
Fantastic picture. I'd like to talk to you more about this and the 100strangers project