The Macro Queen's photostream  

Our second port of call was the Isle De Pines.

I just loved it.

Whilst exploring the surrounds I walked up a path to find some 'shops' tucked out of the way and there was this man sitting in his plastic chairs......just watching.....or thinking.

The funny thing was, upon first glance one could think that this person was a bit scary! But when he got chatting to someone he was actually quite nice.

I didn't have quite enough courage to ask for his name or for his permission to be part of my strangers project but I did just have to take his photo.

I loved the way he sat there, in paradise, with his shop and items to sell just to his right and the beautiful sand and water only a short walk away.

It was our second day out at sea and I went for a walk around deck 7.

Deck 7 is the only one that goes the full way around the boat - the other decks either go half way or you can't go around them externally at all.

Deck 7 saved my sanity! When I wasn't taking photos, or on Islands, I was on deck 7 reading. There were very few children on deck 7.

Anyway, I came across these three gentlemen playing shuffleboard. I have no idea who they are or what there names are but they were having a ball and were great friends stirring each other.

ISLE DE PINES

When arriving at the Isle De Pines, we were greeted by the locals singing and dancing.

Their harmonies were amazing and the way all the dancers moved to the beat almost had one spell bound.

This young man was waiting in the wings to do his bit so I caught his eye and asked if it was alright to take his photo. With a positive nod I snapped away.

The 135L never let me down once. In the brightest of day, when technically the light isn't the 'best' I captured beautiful contrasts and a memorable image of a local.

Out on a photo walk with jnr. I just love my 135L lens and here, Alex is using my old 400D with the 50 1.4 lens. He managed to capture some great images that day.

33/100

I introduced myself to Sakina and after having found out what the stage was being set up for - United Arab Emirates National Day which marked their independence from the UK - I had a great chat with Sakina who was there to do some henna as part of the celebrations.

There have been a lot of benefits to this 100 Strangers Project and one of them, for me, has been to be able to meet people from different cultures and learn about their customs and heritage.

Another benefit has been too learn to approach people and pose them using what ever available light there is - no matter the time of day or what the light is doing!

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com"; or the group here on flickr www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/