Portrait of a craftsman..

Updated for print, and re-worked.

Reasoning for composition, in relation to calling it a 'portrait'..

Where as a portrait usually centers on the face, that is not what this guy was about, the dediaction to his craft, his steadfast ability to create something with hands worn from time, haggard and old, you might not expect a street person such as him to be the creator of something like these pipes..

i wanted to draw attention away from his face, so i cut him off just above the eyes, to lead us down to what makes him unique, that defines his time on this earth..

This guy was just so interesting.. he was selling his pipes for $40, $60, and the ones in his backpack, not on display for $80+.. i love the fact his watch is better than mine.. i would imagine he got it in trade for one of his uniquely crafted fine pipes..

i had alot of fun in E.Vancouver... didnt even get mugged once .. i should have taken a picture of the punk basher thug straight out of the eighties, who said "hey bro! take a picture of me!!" then proceded to flash both sets of knuckles in a mock flex, showing off his tattooed fingers, but.. im sure they said something tough, so i politely nodded and didnt click.. plus, my film was rewinding

Shot with;
Camera - Minolta Maxxum4 (atleast if it breaks, it only costs $30 to replace )
Lens - kit lens - 28mm
F 9.5, 1/90 (all my stuff usually is)
Film - Nps 160 (not expired _{no really!})

Post work;
Convert to B&W w/ level, gradient, c&b layers
cropped to 5x7 ratio
re-sized, framed, stamped

EDIT
Featured as sDD for OCT 20 06
on *StreetDDs
[link]

OCT 22/06
I stopped by and gave him 1/2 my lunch to thank him again..
NOV 18th/06
Wow, 50 fav's, and 100+ comments!
coming upon 1000 views too
thanks to you all