Compton

On January 20, 2011January 20, 2011 By themichaellamcollectionIn Photography

I recently put this image on Flickr, and I got some favourable responses, and because I haven’t blogged in a few days I thought I should put it here as well 🙂

I was sitting in the vehicle waiting for my wife to finish up in a Supermarket on Regent Street, I was reading on my phone (at this time it was “The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice), and in my peripheral vision I say some movement in the distance. Yes, it’s a busy street, but I’m sure you get my point.

His name is probably not Compton, but amidst the multitude of things adorning his attire is a name-tag proclaiming him to be Compton. He is a colourful character, and you seldom see past the spectrum of colours, the purposeful stride and the “insane” air about him.

I hurriedly put the phone down, reached into the back-seat for the camera, and quickly composed and clicked to get my shot. I had to wait two seconds while the camera took the shot since I had forgotten to reset the timer from the previous night, so he is two seconds out-of-focus.

15 thoughts on “Compton”

Bob Zeller

A very “interesting” photo, Michael. Thanks for sharing.

Bob

January 20, 2011 at 2:01 pm Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Thanks Bob, I forgot to mention I also shot it through my windscreen 🙂
  
  January 20, 2011 at 2:03 pm Reply
Nikhil Ramkarran

I can just imagine you spotting him out of the corner of your eye, the frantically reaching for the camera and finally, fuming (and loosing some colourful language) while waiting on the 2 second timer :). Worth it though.

January 20, 2011 at 2:04 pm Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Fairly accurate Nik 🙂
  I kick myself mentally every time I forget to reset the camera settings.
  
  January 20, 2011 at 2:07 pm Reply
EternalForms

wow. i only wish i could view it full-size to see all of the details in there! nice capture, michael

January 20, 2011 at 4:30 pm Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Thanks Joe, just tell me where to send it 🙂
  
  January 21, 2011 at 7:49 am Reply
photosbymartina

I love the unexpected peripheral vision photos. That’s when you are glad you had your camera with you, I’m sure! He’s interesting and I bet he’s full of color too! Nice capture.

January 20, 2011 at 11:33 pm Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Thanks Martina, although I try to always have it with me, there are those times when it’s not there 🙂
  
  January 21, 2011 at 7:50 am Reply
David Williams

I too, bet he’s a colourful character! Glad you had your camera with you, great capture!

January 21, 2011 at 1:46 am Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Thanks David, I may do a cropped colour version, lots of people are asking about it.
  
  January 21, 2011 at 7:50 am Reply
thesixwordstory

Yeah, definitely one worth shooting despite the everyday frustrations and impediments. Might be worth reprocessing it with exaggerated contrast and see if that brings him further from the background? (then on the other hand, the soft greys help make the focus look deliberate!).

January 21, 2011 at 5:44 am Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Thanks Sarah, I’ve moved away from processing photos three/four different ways, I always like all of the results 🙂 but maybe I’ll try it just for those nice comments 🙂
  
  January 21, 2011 at 7:52 am Reply
Journey Photographic

I’ve gotten into the habit of checking my camera settings every time before I go out, for just this reason 🙂

He does look like an interesting character!

January 21, 2011 at 9:20 am Reply
1. themichaellamcollection
  
  Thanks JP, I have to develop a similar habit 🙂
  
  January 21, 2011 at 9:24 am Reply
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