Have you ever felt privileged to photograph someone?

[tirediron]

That was certainly the case for me recently when I met Mr. Burton, a Canadian veteran of World War II Merchant Navy service. As those of you playing along at home may remember, I've been working on a personal project documenting Canadian Veterans. There are very, very few survivors of wartime merchant service left, since they were the men who chose to go to sea on the unarmed merchant vessels that were the target of every enemy submarine and commerce raider at sea. Mr. Burton is almost 90, and isn't perhaps as mobile as he was in his younger years, but there was no way he was going to slouch for his portrait, despite his discomfort, and the pride he had in his service was truly inspirational.

Third Officer Alexander Burton, MN (Ret'd)

 

[pgriz]

A beautiful portrait of a very determined (and brave) man. Your image of him makes him look much younger - seventyish... Love the way you captured his eyes - there's still fire in them.

 

[lambertpix]

Well done.

 

[tirediron]

A beautiful portrait of a very determined (and brave) man. Your image of him makes him look much younger - seventyish... Love the way you captured his eyes - there's still fire in them.

Thank-you!

Well done.

Thanks!

 

[PixelRabbit]

Great work John!

 

[The_Traveler]

he looks great for 70, let alone 90
nice work

 

[binga63]

very very nice work...

 

[tirediron]

Great work John!

he looks great for 70, let alone 90
nice work

very very nice work...

Thank you!

 

[IzzieK]

That is a nice shot of a hero...

And to answer your question, yes, I have been privileged to do a photoshoot of Lt. Col (Ret.) Joseph Armand Gerard Fernand "Fern" Villeneuve, (a military aviation aerobatics pilot for the Golden Hawk). He came to our national fly-in event here in Missouri in 2012 and I was asked to photograph and interview him for two sports aviation magazines. He is one of our members of our Swift Flying club from the Canadian side. If we are lucky we might see him and his wife Lynda (she is very sick I heard) when we go to Dayton, Ohio next month.

 

[tirediron]

That is a nice shot of a hero...

And to answer your question, yes, I have been privileged to do a photoshoot of Lt. Col (Ret.) Joseph Armand Gerard Fernand "Fern" Villeneuve, (a military aviation aerobatics pilot for the Golden Hawk).

Very cool!

 

[tirediron]

Thoughts on a monochrome? The images for the portrait collection will all be colour, but some seem to beg for a conversion.

 

[W.Fovall]

a bit of spot flash on the background would have been nice to separate his coat from the back..

 

[tirediron]

a bit of spot flash on the background would have been nice to separate his coat from the back..

You're not the first one to say that! The image is part of a series, and the dark on dark look is intentional as part of the overall vision.

 

[sarah_19_nz]

wow cool.

 

[Trever1t]

I love the portrait and the color one by far is best to my eyes as it shows the age AND character in his face a warmer way.

To answer your question; yes, almost every time I shoot. (almost)