March 25, 2024 • 46

LAPC #292: People Here, There & Everywhere

The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.

Epictetus

When I’m out and about with my camera, I’m often on the lookout for interesting people who reveal who they are, or what they are thinking or feeling in that moment. I completely agree with Tina who says in her challenge this week, that our images of people can become our favorite memories of a time or place. So, for this challenge, I’ve collected a few photos from our travels in the past 6 months of people who uplifted me, made me smile or created a lasting memory.

As always, you can click on the image to see it in greater detail.

Here’s a favorite memory from the 6 Nations Rugby match in Rome earlier this month. For the match between Italy and Scotland, many fans dressed up to show their support–kilts and plaid scarves for the Scots and anything blue for the Italians. Here’s an Italian fan, wearing the team colors on his head!

I stopped to take this photo of an impromptu bluegrass “concert” on a street corner in Melbourne, Australia. The mix of music and cultures was dazzling and so much fun.

The musician in the floral shirt and black hat sits in the foreground while his happy fans are dancing in front of him. It was such a wonderful moment, seeing the happiness of the crowd and the universal appeal of the music.

What? Saint Patricks Day in Italy? Apparently, it’s an international holiday. Here’s a crowd celebrating a few days ago at the Lion’s Fountain, an Irish bar on the Borgo degli Albizi in Florence.

Why did I include this mural of 4 women suffragettes in Auckland, New Zealand? And why are they smiling? These 4 pioneers were instrumental in gaining women’s voting rights on 19 September 1893, making New Zealand the first self-governing country in the world to guarantee women the right to vote.

On a stylistic note–I also liked the idea of incorporating actual photographic images into the mural.

As Tina reminds us, sometimes taking a portrait from behind gives the photo an interesting perspective.

Last summer, I captured 6 members of the Vancouver fire rescue crew taking a break in Coal Harbor. This image also reminds me of two dear friends who are firemen. I admire their loyalty to the job and to each other, their bravery, and compassion. What great guys!

This last image, captured at the Piazza della Republicca in Florence, is a memory of a loving moment between a father and and his son on the merry go round. I love the father’s protective and reassuring hand on the child’s back.

It was also an experiment in freezing the action on my Pixel 6.

Despite my inherent shyness in photographing people, I must admit that portraits of people often become enduring memories. I’m looking forward to seeing your photos of people from around the world. A very special thanks to Tina for her inspiration this week. Speaking of inspiration, be sure to visit her site to see her wonderful images and equally wonderful memories.

Looking back, I loved your responses to my Cityscape challenge last week! You’ve given us wonderful glimpses of cities that we can add to our must-see list. Your photos were inspiring and terrific. And what’s up next week? It’s Sofia’s turn to inspire us, so be sure to stop by Photographias next Saturday at noon ET.

Looking for more information on joining our challenge? Click here.

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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46 replies »

  3. What is it with sporting events that makes men wear colorful wigs?! I see the same in the Formula 1 and MotoGP races here in Austin. This is great gallery, Patti. I especially liked the women’s mural.

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  12. What a lovely slice of life across the world! I found the photo from Florence wonderfully tender.

    On another note, it seems that wherever there is a Irish pub or Guinness there’s a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Somehow the Irish identity has been turned into a device for selling Guinness. Sad, since there is so much more to the people.

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    • Hi IJ. I’m delighted you enjoyed the portraits here, there and everywhere. 😊 It’s true that St. Patrick’s has been commercialized. There IS so much more to the Irish culture than Guinness. It makes me sad, to tell you the truth. 

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  13. These people shots really seem to capture the ‘feel’ of the place and time when you took them. I love the effect in the last shot, freezing the action so we can see that interaction between father and son. And the Italian rugby fan made me smile as I’ve seen many similar wigs, but black and white, when going to Newcastle United matches. I’ll try to remember to get some photos next time!

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    • Hi Sarah. Thanks! I love when the person becomes indelibly connected to that moment. And yes, Mr. Blue Hair was a classic fan. I hope you can get some photos from the Newcastle matches! 

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  14. Happy people everywhere! Love your post and images, Patti, they made me smile. I really liked the firemen and the blue Italian fan – although Scotsmen are always a treat too… The little boy on the merry go round is such a sweet photo. A varied gallery!

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  15. Well done as always Patti! Loved your gallery – wonderful variety. The wall art with actual faces was terrific and of course I loved the firemen who will forever be at the top of my list of favorite people after their thankfully successful efforts to save my home. Mr. Blue Hair is priceless!!!

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    • Hi Tina. I’m delighted you enjoyed my gallery. And thanks for your kind words. I’m smiling now as I read this! I totally agree with you about firemen. And Mr. Blue Hair…what fun! Take care and have a good week.

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  19. Hi Patti, great pictures of all different types of people! I especially like the firemen taking a break to enjoy such a beautiful view! 😉

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  20. A grand gallery of images, Patti. I admit to sharing your sentiments about our firefighters. In AZ they are like superheroes. I have many family members who have met the call of service too. The mural was a great find. One of those, stop and discuss moments, isn’ t it? The merry-go-round is a great capture. The tenderness from the photo is extra!

    I think my favorite today is of the Melbourne Bluegrass concert. It is always fun to see a crash of cultures and how others react to them. I loved the expressions on the girls’ faces. Yes…sometimes it is the people that bring us back to the best memories.

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    • Hi Donna. I’m delighted you enjoyed the gallery. Two of our dear friends are firefighters (a father and son), who are 2nd and 3rd generation firefighters. Great guys. I’m so glad you enjoyed the concert. It was one of those spontaneous great moments that I’ll never forget. Take care and have a good week.

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