Category: Portraits

Posted in Life, Portraits

245

Posted on by Sharon

I turn my attention away from flowers today to focus on my other favourite: portraits.

Alison is usually found behind the camera – you can see some of her work here – and is generally uncomfortable with being in front of the camera, especially my camera.

But yesterday Alison offered herself up for a photo shoot, and I’m thrilled that she did. I don’t often do photo shoots and so it was a real learning experience for me. Alison is funny and thoughtful and insightful and resilient and courageous. I think I have a photo that shows each of these characteristics … here are just some of them.

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Posted in Melbourne, Portraits

201

Posted on by Sharon

The tram pulled up in the city and before the doors opened I heard a beautiful voice. The workmen sitting on the steps appreciated the beautiful voice as well.

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Posted in Life, Melbourne, Photography, Portraits

200

Posted on by Sharon

I spot her as we walk through Myer on our way to Melbourne Central, and quickly say to Tim, “I’m going to follow her”.

But I couldn’t, not without offering to help carry her (very) heavy bag. She talked to me of her son, who had died recently, a (very) heavy burden for her to bear, and of her stroke which had caused her to forget things. We walked a few steps, stopped to talk, and walked on.

She used to work in Myer, many years ago – her first job after arriving in Australia from Malta in 1958. Her father had a Humber and would park out the front of Myer, go to the markets and then pick her up when she finished work at lunchtime.

I heard many stories, always returning to the death of her son four years before at the age of 39. She showed me photos, of him as an adult and as a child. She laughed fondly, before her eyes filled again with sadness.

I asked if I could take her photo, and she took my hand to signify her version of yeah sure.

This is Josette.

Josette

Posted in Melbourne, Portraits

198

Posted on by Sharon

There he sat, near the library, in the sun. I walked past, saw him, walked back.

Repeat.

Oh, why not?

Yeah sure, he said, with a brilliant smile that reached his eyes.

This is Sharo – yes, just like my name but without the ‘n’. We laughed at that.

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Posted in Melbourne, Photography, Portraits

164: Faces of Melbourne #12

Posted on by Sharon

There was a motley crowd gathered outside the State Library; some in the group were taking photos, some were chatting, others were standing back waiting for something to happen.

It was a camera group – a film camera group – who get together regularly to photograph the city and its people.

He said yeah sure unreservedly and told me all about the camera club and the facilities they have available. You should pop in some time, he said.

This is Ashton.

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