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05-FEB-2005 Helen Betts

The Photographer
by Helen Betts

Ankara, Turkey

Well, I may be pushing it, but he was actually trying to get more birds to come to him when I took his picture :-). While I was freezing hanging out at the park in search of "moving" targets, I was approached by two shoeshine boys who were disappointed that I didn't want my suede-y boots polished but who then wanted their picture taken, making me promise that I would print it and bring it back the next day http://www.pbase.com/helenpb/image/39454036 (which I will) . In the midst of all this, this man came up to us and started talking about photography. He had a polaroid and something else around his neck, plus, wrapped up carefully in a rag in his bag, a Nikon 5700 (purchased while on the Hajj in Mecca), all of which he used to take pics of visitors to the park. I almost fell over since he had just told me he had bought a computer but couldn't figure out how to use it. Anyway, after more pictures of the shoeshine boys http://www.pbase.com/helenpb/image/39451415 , we were joined by a very nice lady who apparently had never spoken to a "yabanci" (foreigner) before. She went away happy that we are normal, friendly people :-).

Sony DSC-F717
1/80s f/3.5 at 10.6mm iso100 full exif

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Helen Betts09-Feb-2005 00:17
Thanks, MFC and Katherine. Yes, he was quite an interesting guy -- I really liked him! I didn't see the birds landing on anyone else, although as I said somewhere there was hardly anybody at the park due to the freezing tempertures. But I think he hangs out there every day, so my guess is the birds have gotten to know him. Helen
Katherine Stanback's Photos08-Feb-2005 23:18
He looks like quite a character - an interesting guy to take a photo of. Do those pigeons go up to everyone, or just him?
Sony Forums Challenges07-Feb-2005 04:24
Helen, it sounds like your trip to the park was worth meeting all the interesting people that you did...and this man seems pleased to oblige for the picture. I like how the camera dangles around his neck...and how the birds rest on his welcoming arms. I like your "glimpse" into his life and personality. MFC