© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Posed 'stranger' portrait taken for my 100 Strangers project in Troon, Scotland.

This picture is #90 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

It has been 3.5 years since my last portrait for the 100 Strangers project thanks to the pandemic, my injuries and my ongoing PTSD. This one came quite out of the blue, or out of the "deep blue" if you like.

I had made my 2nd trip out with my camera for April, after not taking a single shot in March, and headed down to the beach for sunset. It was much calmer than previously so while there were no kiteboarders soaring, there were a handful of people enjoying a sunset kayak as the tide rolled in.

I was snapping away at the sunset and silhouettes of the kayaks as Lorna paddled ashore capturing the same scene with her mobile phone. She said that we were probably capturing the same thing and that I was doing a better job of it with my camera. Which I refuted, naturally, being a 'people' photographer and out of my depth with landscapes.

After a brief chat and learning that she was part of the Troon Water Sports Hub, which will be getting a brand new facility on the seafront soon, I asked Lorna if she would like a portrait and briefly explained the 100 Stranger project and that I would want to share the shot online. Lorna was happy to and I had to work quickly as the light was disappearing.

Lorna and her fellow kayaker wanted her to pose in front of the sunset but without a flash to light them it would have just been a silhouette shot. I naturally opted to pose Lorna along the shorefront and decided to ensure part of the kayak, and paddle, were in the frame for context. Asking Lorna to angle the paddle to fit in the frame and find the last remnants of sunlight.

In the low light and with no means of reflecting or creating light, I managed to get one shot that I am happy with and I hope that Lorna will be happy with it when I send it to her. I am very much out of practice after such a long time.

My thanks to Lorna for agreeing to a portrait and for approaching me for some photography small talk beforehand.
I have not told you all of the cause or triggers of my PTSD but suffice to say I would not have instigated this stranger portrait had Lorna not approached me first. It took a monumental effort to just hold ground for a conversation and gather the courage to ask. So much so that I had the 'adrenaline rush' come-down when I got home as my legs buckled like lead.

Complex PTSD sucks and the recovery will be a long process with forward steps but many backwards ones too. There is no cure or complete recovery either. I have to work on combating the C-PTSD every single day, leaning to live with and manage the symptoms. Thank you all so much for continuing to support my photography through this process. It means the world to me that you all care and don't mind all of the older shots and re-edits I publish in the meantime.

This new portrait is a step in the right direction for now and of course I hope to continue that trend. No guarantees though.

Take care my Flickr friends and thank you.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton 100 Strangers portrait beach Scotland seaside seafront photography portraiture portrait photography stranger portrait stranger people photography woman face eyes smile smiling expression happy happiness water sports paddle kayaker kayak buoyancy aid hi-viz safety florescent floatation waterproof open water sea ocean waves sunset golden hour tone detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors outside natural light portrait available light human life living humanity society culture lifestyle people person sport activity eye contact Canon Canon 5D Mk III 70mm EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM colour colourful Barassie Barassie Beach Troon Ayrshire UK South Ayrshire coastline United Kingdom Great Britain Britain low light

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street portrait from Glasgow, Scotland.

Black and white re-edit of a 'stranger portrait' captured in March 2017. Akosua was number 49 in my 100 Strangers Project and keeping her earbuds in was a conscious choice as I wanted to photograph someone enjoying music on the street. This was captured in a previously posted portrait of Akosua with her eyes closed and head tilted back 'Lost in Music'.

Thank you all for sharing your awesome support for my photography. I am grateful to you all. Stay safe.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton portrait people Scotland bwphoto urban street portraiture street photography street portrait street life eye contact stranger portrait 100 Strangers woman girl face eyes beauty beautiful expression mood feeling atmosphere attitude music earbuds afro style fashion hairstyle lips teeth smile soft space tone detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors outside pose model city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle person Canon Canon 5D Mk III 70mm EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM black white black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow UK United Kingdom Great Britain Britain Royal Exchange Square monochromatic bwphotography monochrome portrait

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street portrait from Glasgow, Scotland.

Black and white re-edit of one of my early '100 Strangers' portraits taken in March 2014.

Captured with my old Canon 400D, Sigma 17-50mm lens and hot shoe mounted Speedlite, Shelly was number 16 in my 100 Strangers portrait project.

The colour variation of this portrait that I uploaded to Flickr way back in 2014 has toured the world as part of the Atlas of Humanity exhibition, displayed at major photography expos such as Photokina along with another of my 100 Strangers portraits of Naziyah.

This shot was edited solely in Lightroom. Her skin was flawless and the new tools in LR were perfectly able to remove a loose strand of hair from across her face.

Enjoy!

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto portrait pretty urban street portraiture street photography street portrait 100 Strangers stranger stranger portrait street life eye contact woman girl youthful eyes face expression mood emotion feeling atmosphere smile smiling happy happiness joyful delightful bright lovely beauty beautiful blonde uplifting fluffy furry hat style fashion Atlas of Humanity exhibition detail depth of field bokeh strobe flash on camera flash character immaculate skin cute dimples city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 400D 50mm Sigma Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

A previously unpublished shot from the early days in my '100 Stranger' project.

Captured on the streets of Glasgow, Scotland, with my old Canon 400D in February 2014, this marks the 1000th previously unpublished shot from my archives since the pandemic began and since I have been too unwell to capture new street shots. Quite the milestone and a testament to how many 'keepers' I captured while out and about.

I give my warmest thanks to each and every one of you for continuing to follow and support my work. You are all awesome.

Enjoy.

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people portrait man beauty urban street portraiture photography portrait photography street photography street portrait street life eye contact street style young youthful face eyes expression mood emotion feeling attitude character charisma intense beautiful handsome pretty hair style fashion letterman jacket letterman columns tone detail depth of field bokeh natural light outdoors outside city scene human life living humanity society culture lifestyle Canon Canon 400D 50mm Sigma Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM black white black&white b&w mono black and white monochrome Glasgow Scotland UK Scottish Canon Speedlite 430EX II Speedlite flash strobe flash photography on-camera flash

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© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

Street portrait from Glasgow, Scotland.

Black and white re-edit of a street portrait of Vaneska captured for my '100 Strangers' project.

Vaneska was number 48 in the series and it was a candid shot of her that lead into a brief conversation and her agreeing to pose for a brief portrait session.

I had not long upgraded from my 7D to a 5D Mk III and remember noticing how much more capable the camera was in the low light conditions of Glasgow in the depths of winter. Thank you all for your awesome favourites, comments and support. Enjoy!

Tags:   Leanne Boulton people streetphoto portrait girl

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