#92 Scarface

'Hello Bruce Lee,' I said. He laughed and said it wasn't Bruce Lee but Scarface. 'I bought it thinking it was Bruce Lee though,' he laughed. Meet another flower man from Columbia Road. He wasn't too keen on posing but after a bit of encouragement he agreed to give up two minutes of his time. Thank you!

 

#91 The Travelling Man

First I saw the little guitar so I asked what it was called. I thought it was a ukulele but he called it something else. 

He was a joyful character making plenty of jokes. We seemed to invade the space of local trader who kept moaning at us for taking his space even though all we were doing was standing on a pavement next to his stand. We laughed it off. 'See you in the wind', he said as he walked off.

#90 Irene

Meet Irene. She is a friend of the gentleman featured in Barnardo's Child post. She has a stall in a little antique market round the corner from Columbia Road. I took her photo before but didn't quite like it so when I saw her walk past I asked her to pose for me. She still didn't like the photo I took but she was happy for me to post it if I liked it. And I do.

Irene is quite the celebrity around Columbia Road. All the other shopkeepers look after Irene checking up on her and offering her food and drink. She is quite a lady!

#89 Isaac the biblical man who thought it was still Friday night

I loved his tank hat. He was standing on the kerb smoking when I approached him. His mates shouted at me not to pick him. 'He is an ugly b***ard! Why would you pick him?' He posed for me smoking and pouting. It was a laugh! 'Well, it's an awesome Friday night. It's still Friday night, right?' I haven't giggled like that in ages.

 

#88 The Flower Man

He is one of those colourful characters at Columbia Road Flower Market. He always put a smile on my face with his comments. The other guys make fun of him because of his style. It's so much fun listening to them bickering. 

I tried to snap him a few times before but it never worked he is so busy. I was shooting Irene (you'll meet her later) when I saw him approach. I grabbed him and said 'Come on! I need you here against the wall!' He started laughing and shouting 'Oh no! Two girls want me against the wall! Lucky man!' Gosh! We had a giggle shooting him even if he did not stand still for one single second!

#87 Jean Louis

The usual Sunday afternoon at Columbia Road followed by a walk down Brick Lane led us to a beautiful shop with old fashioned stock called Le Grenier. 

The owner, Jean Louis, was busy fixing a lamp and didn't even notice me watching him. I found his focus captivating. It has been a while since I saw anyone fix something. We are so used to throwing things away and buying new ones. Anyway, he agreed kindly to pose for me and we chatted about today's world, recession and how people don't visit their local stores anymore. Truly enjoyed this encounter.

#86 Strawberry Blonde

Strawberry blonde I spotted while on my way back from Columbia Road. She kindly dropped her flowers and posed for me. Thanks!

#85 Thoughtful

As soon as the girl in yellow hat walked off, I spotted the gentleman in shades. Another hat! Yes, suddenly there was a theme to the day. He was lovely. He insisted on wiping his glasses. 'My boyfriend is always telling me off for mucky shades', he said and smiled. They are sparkly clean here.

#84 Yellow Hat

I was waiting around for the elderly gentleman from Barnardo's post to give him the print of his photograph when I spotted the lady with a yellow hat. There was something captivating about her face... and THE HAT! I loved the wonky and careless look of it. I couldn't resist photographing her.

#83 A Man With A Beard

I spotted his beard and cap from afar and was thrilled when he agreed to pose for me. His friend was a little upset that I did not want to shoot both of them but sometimes you need to upset others to get the shot you want. I detected a slight French accent but that's me being rubbish with accents. It turns out he is German. My apologies! That's all folks.

#82 Lydia The Writer

Lydia was in Columbia Road this afternoon promoting her book. I loved her delicate look and asked her for a portrait. She was an amazing model, a little shy and yet tilting her head in such adorable, a bit innocent and a bit flirtatious manner. After second snap, she giggled and asked me to stop. "I thought you wanted to take a photo of the stall, not me.' I thanked her for her time and walked away knowing I got the shot of the day.

#81 Friday Night on Brick Lane

One taken a few weeks back while wandering around Brick Lane on Friday night. Loved her hair and her attitude. She was on her way to a party but was kind enough to stop. Thank you!

#80 Sausage Roll Man

One from the beginning of my street portrait adventure. I spotted this gentleman and approached him for a photo. When asked what he was up to, he smiled and said 'I am waiting for my sausage roll.' 

He was still waiting when we left him.

#79 From Bulgaria To Columbia (Road)

I was wandering around Columbia Road when I walked past my favourite courtyard with Lily Vanilli and caught a glimpse of the hat. I asked the girl if I could take her photo but she was a little reluctant. Her friend nudged her and said 'Go on!'. 'OK', she said. I took a few snaps before she raised her hand, giggled nervously and said enough.

#78 Tatty Devine Fan

Jewellery fan at Tatty Devine admiring the new publication by Tatty Devine on how to make your jewellery. Another portrait from Vogue Fashion's Night Out.

#77 Vogue Fashion's Night Out 2

Another lovely lady from Vogue Fashion's Night Out. Loved her jewellery.

#76 Vogue Fashion's Night Out 1

Fabulous time at Vogue Fashion's Night Out. This lovely lady travelled  from Austria to London especially for the Vogue Fashion's Night Out. I am sure she enjoyed it too.

#75 Hector The Bike Man

Meet Hektor, the man who will fix your bike. A lovely chap we met in a bike rental shop at Gabriel's Wharf.

#74 Southbank Red Head

While enjoying a lovely Saturday out with a group of out-of-London friends, I saw this lovely red head walking towards us. She was such a funny girl. She told us she wasn't a natural red head but she loved slapping henna on her hair because it looks like poo and turns green. I love quirky and socially awkward people simply because it's usually me who comes out with stuff that makes others shake their heads in disbelief.

#73 Andy Seize

On that lovely Saturday afternoon with a bunch of out-of-London friends, we bumped into Andy Seize, a graffiti artist who gives graffiti lessons around Leake Street.  We joked how the times have changed. Not so long ago graffiti was an underground kind of art whereas these days it was regularly displayed in galleries and you could take lessons in it. Excellent!

#72 Notting Hill Photographer

One from last weekend's Notting Hill Carnival. I knelt down with the crowds behind me to get a shot of one of the carnival dancers and noticed in the corner of my eye a fellow photographer kneel down beside me. I turned around and smiled admiring his hair. "Like the hair', I mouthed. He nodded in response and smiled. I raised my camera and took a shot. He came up to me and took my card apologising for forgetting his. 

Brilliant hair, wouldn't you agree?

#71 Street Artist

This gent has travelled from Sidney, Australia across Asia and Europe making his mark on the world with his street art. He took part in Leake Street Street Art competition and is planning to travel around the world before returning home.

#70 Daniel

Daniel was rushing home after shopping for a birthday present for his best friend. Since the birthday party is long over, we can reveal that the friend got a poster from Design Museum and an entry tickets to a selection of Open House venues. How thoughtful! Loved his present ideas.

#69 Puppy girl

While enjoying the sunshine last Sunday, I spotted this lovely lady walking through the crowd cuddling her puppy at Columbia Road. She was kind enough to pose for me. Thank you!