Well I’ve been on a wonderful workshop and am now trying to catch up on things and cherishing the things I missed! Even though I was travelling backwards and forwards (or is that forwards and backwards?) from home to the venue I was always leaving when my children were asleep and arriving when they were asleep. I did love however coming back home creeping into their rooms and listening to them breathing (snoring, snuffling really)….honestly my youngest little man sounds like a snoring grandpa! It was a sound to smile at.
Anyway I digress! One of my assignments was to take a photograph of a “stranger” without telling them it was for a workshop. By the time I got home -it was dark and I was tired and I just wanted to be with my family. That is to say, listen to my sleeping ones breathing and to be with my wonderful husband.
The funny thing was months ago toward the start of the year, I saw this lady at a kids birthday party- she would of been almost 70 maybe more (I am hopeless judging age) her hair was gossamer white and like alot of the children at the party she was wearing beautiful wings. Her hair looked gorgeous in the light of the day and her wings shimmered- her face was sheer beauty. She drew my eye like a magnet. I kept thinking how beautiful she looked and I said to my husband what a beautiful image that would make. I said I should go and ask her…but I didn’t. I can still see that image in my mind as clear as day. I wish I had actually taken it. In a way I didn’t want to “ruin it” – to break that moment and of course I wondered if she’d think I was a weirdo! (Oh wait- I *am* a weirdo)….I’ve digressed again…back to the workshop assignment.
The next day I had to get petrol before I went to the workshop venue- I thought maybe of approach people near the bus stop or train station or park, but when I went around the corner and up the hill there was a woman watering her garden in the early light of morning. Her garden was gorgeous.I went past her in the car and then turned around parked on the opposite side of the road. I could see her watching me while she watered. I didn’t think- grabbed my camera and went over- introduced myself and asked her without hesitation. She looked at me and laughed and said in an accent NO WAY! I laughed too and was about to say that was ok. When she said “Why do you want to take a photo”. I told her if she could see herself as I saw her when I came around the corner in the car how beautiful she was. She looked at me like I was crazy and then said “Oh ok then”, she was quite coy but lovely. I took three photographs of her as I could see she was both kind of bemused and a little uncomfortable at the same time.
So here is my favourite shot of her-I’m still deciding which one to print for her- but I think it might be this one. Who else thinks Maria is beautiful? I know it’s doubtful that you would be reading this Maria but I want to thank you again for allowing me to take your photograph.
“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met. “-William Butler Yeats
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