Couple on the Steps

This couple readily agreed to have their portraits taken together recently

and liked this one particularly; they appeared very happy together. Your

ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly

or very critically, please submit a helpful and constructive commentary;

please share your superior photographic knowledge to help improve my

photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

This couple had been watching me photograph around a square in downtown Portland, so they had a chance to evaluate me and my relations with other photographic subjects.

So, when I approached them and politely asked if I could take their photo and let them know I'm an amateur, but I try to take really good photos, they readily agreed.

I took a couple of photos from the front, but the background was distracting, so I moved to the side, in keeping with my own dictum in my presentation: "Photographers: Watch Your Background' -- Photo.net's largest presentation and still a work in progress -- possibly some day a book.

So, since the steps were already curved (a 'C' curve and also parallel to each other, plus they had interesting textures, it seemed a shame not to incorporate them into the photo of this very happy couple.

And of course, I didn't have time to read the tattoos on this guy or even read the message on his 'girl's' top, but now that I can read them, they seem interesting.

What do I know; I'm just an old guy who takes photos?

I always like tattoos on subjects, as they tell stories, just as my photos tell stories and for someone (certainly not me) these tattoos may tell an interesting story about this man or even the both of them and their personal history(ies).

All in all, a brief and very pleasant experience with two very nice and happy appearing persons, as I worked my way through this park-like square photographing away. (and if they come across this copyrighted image, they are free to make a copy with my compliments and thanks for 'sitting' for me and being so cooperative to a total stranger).

Not every 'street' photo is taken surreptitiously.

Sometimes the best way is just to ask politely.

Results as shown above.

John (Crosley)

Powerful as usual. Congrats!

Best regards

Diego

Thank you for lettting me know your feelings about this. I don't interact with such people very much in California (pr abroad) so was surprised a little bit at their receptiveness.

A little respect goes a long ways,. I guess.

Thanks for commenting.

John (Crosley)

Really, the word 'powerful' is an apt word, isn't it?

There were a lot of ways NOT to do this right, but I think I handled it correctly. And I think my work was respected by this couple who obviously were having a very happy day together.

If you can 'read' and are familiar with certain words, I'm sure you know this is not an ordinary portrait.

Thanks for acknowledging that.

John (Crosley)