#112 Ari Sigvaldason

Iceland was simply amazing. When exploring the streets of Reykjavik, I came across a photo gallery. I stood there mesmerised as the photographer's style was stunning. I couldn't get enough! I walked past the gallery every day and yet it was never open. Sometimes there was a sign telling you to call him if you wanted to have a look but no one was ever there until my last day. I felt like a kid in a candy store. 

Meet Ari Sigvaldason. Ari laughed that he was a rather relaxed gallery owner and while his gallery was officially open from noon till six he was usually somewhere else taking photos and exploring. He was as friendly as the rest of Icelanders happy to help and chat. I couldn't resist taking his portrait.

#111 Album Boy

We were already heading for drinks at Brick Lane's Vibe Bar (routine ending to Columbia Road street session), when I spotted this young man shopping for LPs. I stuck my lens through the fence and smiled. He looked at me puzzled. 'Just do what you're doing!' I said. I waited for him to pull out LP that had a colourful background and snapped the portrait. Ta da!

#110 Visiting Laura

Jim and I enjoyed another fabulous Wednesday night wandering around Southbank. It was a quiet evening and we struggled to find people that would interest us. I spotted Laura and she agreed to pose for us. She is in London visiting her boyfriend who is now at university here. She seemed to be enjoying London. Thanks for stopping!

#109 The Londoners On Tour in Hitchin 2

Another one from yesterday. We walked past a barber shop and I spotted this bloke getting ready to leave. He looked me directly in the eye and seemed quite friendly but we walked on. Something made me do a u-turn and go back to ask him for a portrait. He was very kind and obliging even though he was just about to finish a whole day's work and go home. Thank you!

Need a barber, anyone?

#108 The Londoners On Tour in Hitchin 1

Thank you goes out to my dear friend, Sosij for having me over in Hitchin for a day. I love this town so it was a pleasure taking my street project to the streets of Hitchin. 

We were walking past Four Leaf Clover Restaurant when I spotted the elderly chap. He was quite the character. When I asked him for a photo, he laughed and said, 'Where do you want me? Or my place or yours should I say?' It turns out he found his way to Hitchin when he arrived in Britain at the back of a truck after a few years of working in Romania. Such a colourful character!

#107 Cheeky Chap

Considering that it is the end of autumn, I was quite surprised to see a bloke hanging around on a street with no t-shirt on. 

He agreed to be photographed and struck a pose, then got all hyper and told me that he had tattoos on the back too and turned around. His mate laughed 'He's got tatts on his bum too!' 'I'll pass,' I replied. I was slightly bemused that he thought I asked him because of his tattoos. Meet the cheeky chap from Brick Lane.

 

 

 

 

#106 Winkworth Arboretum

I ventured out of London to shoot the autumn views in Winkworth Arboretum but couldn't resist stopping a person or two. And what a wonderful day it was! We couldn't find our way to the place so a kind elderly gentleman offered us a ride after his wife told him about American tourists being lost. He felt a little cheated I think when he found out we weren't American at all.

This lovely gentleman sat down to rest and started texting someone. I liked how he fitted in the scene so asked him for a portrait. He couldn't quite believe I wanted HIS portrait. Lovely gentleman!

#105 A Bunch of Flowers

He was people watching and waiting for someone when I noticed him. He was kind enough to pose for me. Thank you!

#104 A Cup Of Tea

What's better than enjoying a bit of music and sipping a cup of tea on Sunday morning? This jovial lady was sitting on the kerb listening to the band playing when I approached her. She checked with her friend that it was HER I wanted to take a photo of. She just couldn't quite believe it. 

#103 Purple Hat

I saw the hat as soon as I got to the flower market but didn't get a chance to approach her till later. She agreed to pose for me while waiting for a cup of tea. Thank you for stopping!

#102 Diana Girl

Two beautiful girls were wandering around Columbia Road with their fancy cameras. One with Diana and the other one with Fujipix Instant. Now how could a tog resist photographing another tog?! I couldn't obviously!

 

#101 Oyster Man

Thank you to everyone who has supported, looked at and commented on the blog over the last 100 entries. Thank you to Londonist for featuring my blog on their website. I am truly honoured.

Now, back to business. A new oyster place opened up in Columbia Road so what else could I do but to photograph one of the guys working there. He was happy to pose for me and I appreciate his patience as I battled the crowds to get the shot I was happy with.

#100 Bow Tie

I saw her bow tie and thought 'Hell yeah!' One of her companions complained that it was a second time someone asked her for a photo and yet no one wanted to take his portrait. We had a giggle about it.

And yes, we got a hundred. It's been a journey. It's not ending here but I thought I'd stop and celebrate. Thank you to everyone who follows the blog whether regularly or ad hoc. Say hello, please. Tell me which stranger was your favourite. Ask me a question. And thank you once again for following!

#99 You made my London!

At the end of summer holidays, I stopped this lovely Chinese teenager in Southbank. I liked her hooded look as she looked at The Thames admiring the views. She later emailed me to say thank you for taking the photo and making her feel welcome in London.

#98 Hat Man

Have you noticed the theme for last Sunday outing? We didn't talk. I saw him and smiled. He was munching on his wrap and nodded. I raised my camera and he struck a pose. Click! I nodded to say thank you and walked away.

#97 Hat Lady 2

Another lovely lady from Columbia Road sporting a hat. She was wandering around the shops with her friend. Just like the other hat lady, she walked off after one snap. I guess shopping was just too tempting.

#96 Hat Girl

I saw her talking to her friend in a shop doorway and asked her for a photo. She said 'yes', posed for one shot and then walked off smiling. 'Tis all.

#95 Cake Sale Girl

This lovely young girl reminded me of Sosij's daughter Velvet with her entrepreneur spirit. I think it is a very admirable of her that already at such a young age, she is using the outside of her house to add to her pocket money through cake sale. I loved how thoughtful and creative she was when designing 'her stall'.

#94 Marco

Meet Marco. Yet another salesman from Columbia Road. He's a lovely young chap who works for a pottery shop. Always kind although sometimes thoughtfully looking into the distance when not busy.

#93 Stranger

This lovely lady was the first one we stopped by that wall. This place ended up as our street studio. Can't wait to go back there tomorrow!