George - a photo on Flickriver

George

I saw him crossing the street with a shopping bag in downtown Kingston and immediately recognized his potential as a street portrait subject. He didn't respond immediately to my greeting but I persisted and then realized he was somewhat hearing impaired.

He then had a very friendly response to my introduction and to my Human Family project. Meet George.

I was concerned that he seemed to be "on a mission," so I proceeded to quickly take a few photos right where we were standing, on the sidewalk. He was agreeable to my suggestion that he take off his shoulder bag to get rid of the diagonal strap, which would have been visually distracting. He also agreed to turn around 180 degrees for nicer light and a less distracting background.

The picture--taking occupied no more than a minute or two, and with the portraits completed, we conversed.

When I asked what kind of work he has done, he said he was an academic. He is a retired Professor of English from Queen's University in Kingston. He is 91. He was remarkably vital for 91 and I congratulated him on his good age.

I asked if he has always lived in Kingston and he replied "Oh no. I received my graduate degrees in Berkeley California and Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts." Clearly an impressive resumé. When I told him my father had been a Professor of English at the University of Chicago, I felt an additional bit more connection to what was already a friendly rapport.

Aware that he was on his way somewhere (he started to turn) I invited him to share a message to the project. It took a repeat for him to hear me clearly (I then noticed his hearing aid). He mumbled "Oh, so many possibilities." and then settled on "Global warming is the crisis of our times,,, and it may be the end of our times." I nodded and said I shared his concern.

When I asked him for a piece of advice he could give to his younger self he thought for a moment and replied "Be more diplomatic." I laughed and said "Something tells me it's a bit too late for that?" He smiled in agreement with a twinkle in his eye.

We exchanged contact information and I thanked him for participating in The Human Family Group. He said "Well, I'm also a photographer."

George is my 894th submission to the Human Family Group.

You can see more street portraits of strangers and read their stories by visiting The Human Family.

Taken on: July 28, 2023

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George

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Sets appears in: • The Human Family - Round 18

Groups appears in: • Beautiful Light • Cell Phone Photography more » • the human condition • One Face @ a Time ~ Street Portraiture • Interesting Portraits ☺ [people] • Portraits... Get Closer! • Can I take your picture? • The Portrait Group • STRANGERS! • Street portrait • Street Portraitist • Faces! • Documentary Portraiture • Flickr Fine Art Portrait Gallery • Human Faces * • Samsung Mobile Photography • FACE ON flickr (men & women) • Human Faces: Fascinating Just the Way We Are • I am Canadian! • Android Photographer • Phone Photography (Can your SLR's do this??) • !Portfolio of People (HIGH QUALITY, ADMIN MODERATED p1/c2) • Portraits and Faces • Portraits from the Street • People Portraits World • Street Portraits Only • The Street Of Life (street photo) • Portrait Photograph • Flickr-eyes • Photography with a Story • Street Photographers Around the World • Great Portraits (10th.Year) • Street Portraits Close Ups Only • Faces of Humanity • The Human Family • LES PORTRAITS DU MONDE/PORTRAITS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD (No n • Oh the Humanity • "Portraits de voyage, Travel portraits " • The best photographs from around the world. • Intimate Portraiture • --> Studio F • WONDERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN GENERAL.MARAVILLAS DE LA FOTOGRAFIA EN • Portraits on streets...Portraits des rues... « less

Camera: samsung SM-G998W, f/2.4, 1/357 sec, 9mm, ISO 50 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	samsung SM-G998W
Aperture:	f/2.4
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/357)
Focal Length:	9mm
ISO:	50
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	G998WVLS8EWF1
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