Cyprus November and December 2021 Part 2
So Part 1 of this post took us to December 23rd. Earlier that week I got chatting to a student at a cafe and asked if I could take her photo. She hard startling green blue eyes and I mentioned I was a proffessional photograher. She told me she had a birthday coming up and that she might be up for shooting together. Usually in these situations people don't get back to you, but to my delight and suprise she got in contact. It is hard to build trust in these situation, but I said that she should bring a friend and I think I did a good job of letting her know I was genuine. Anyway after much texting she agreed to a shoot at my flat scheduled for Christmas Eve, but she actually changed it to Christmas Day. Here are the shots taken at the cafe. There was some live music late that afternoon so she was covering the door (its dark by 5pm at the moment).
So Christmas Eve, I went to cover some live music in the capital at the excellent Hoi Polloi (facebook) (intagram). I saw the owner Simon at Mete Hatay's exhibition and then again whilst walking around with Mel (see last post) and he mentioned there was a band playing. He didn't mention it was his birthday, but it was. Simon was very kind to me and introduced me to a few of his friends who I sat with for a bit. I saw a few people I know there, but to be honest they were all with friends in large groups so there was not much chat beyond a few hellos. It was very cold aswell, 7 degrees, which for Cyprus is cold. I left soon after the band went on. Enjoyed getting some shots in the orange light of the coil heaters.
Early that morning there was a rainbow too.
The above boot shot is of someone I actually know who has in the past tried to get me an exhibition. Thank you Dize.
The band playing are called Flow.
It took a while for the right opportunity, but finally I got everyone working together.
So the next day, Christmas morning, Buse came with her friend Rabia for the shoot. Buse is studying to be a sea captain, and hopefully at some point we will shoot in her uniform. Her friend Rabia is studying psycology. We had a fun couple of hours and it all went really well. Buse was a little shy, but it doesn't show in the photos. She was real natural talent. I loved her outfit and I am really really happy with the results. The first set of shots used a soft light set up, so shadow were minimal.
The second light setup was hard light, so the shadows are like pictures themselves.
Took a few of Rabia. I would like to do more, perhaps with a different outfit. I thought the skirt was too high waist, but like the results. She helped with lighting too.
And a couple more of Buse
Later that afternoon there was a birthday lunch I popped to. I was all photoed out, but got one group shot.
Pretty great Christmas all in all.
On boxing day met up with Naci and Elias and started out at a lovely spot for some cheese toastie and tea. There were some ruins by the sea too, and someone dangerously crossing the road. Elias asked me to shoot the "Artwork" on the other side of the road.
Later we went to a Koy (village) to meet up with an old friend of Naci's and Elias who moved to Scotland some years ago who I hadn't met before. She was back for a few weeks visiting family. We had a nice chat with her sister and niece for a couple of hours before heading of to Magusa. (below is a scarecrow, or in this case a scaredoll)
Later we went for food at her parents' place. Loved a few details in the house, including an old wedding photo.
It was super nice to meet the family.
So on the 30th, Orhan invited friends for home made Adana Kebab at Aroma Cafe. It rained badly. I got to meet his Dad too who was over from Istanbul. Orhan made far too much food and started getting me to give kebabs to customers, including a nice oriental lady pictured below. Naci's friend turned up with her partner. When the place closed we headed to my flat for a bit and had a nice time, and even did a few photos. Was really nice to have guests.
And finally we come to NYE. We met up with Mel and walked around with some champagne and ended up taking lots of pictures of strangers, a mother and daughter from the Sudan, a group from Palestine, Africans from Shefield, and random turks.
We stopped for tea too, these guys served us, one was from Tibet.
And finally we ended up back in Girne at Cine Miles, an african bar for midnight. Wonderful crazy energy!
Find Many more photos this month's Album
Love to all.
