The cobblestone streets of old town Tallinn, Estonia, are a delight to stroll and photograph. Buildings look like they are right out of the Middle Ages. Even the staff at local restaurants, bars and souvenir shops dress in traditional clothing. It added so much ambiance to my mural experience. And, my favorite Estonian was Sohvi.
She worked at a very central restaurant that I passed several times a day. Not only could she recommend something good to eat, but she was a wealth of local information. One morning I searched for a newspaper with an article about my mural project. I looked in vain around the main train station. I thought it made sense to go where there were commuters. When I mentioned this to Sohvi, she said that was the most dangerous place in the whole country. And, that was my experience as three or four very aggressive homeless people came after me for some money. Sohvi sent me in a much safer direction and I found the paper I needed.
Sohvi was beautiful. She was exactly the type of person I like to photograph for my portraits. But, I didn't take a single picture of her. I traveled with another person who had all the right kind of photographic equipment but lacked an artist's eye. He took so many photos of Sohvi, that I was simply too embarrassed to ask for one.
However, on my last day in Tallinn, Sohvi asked if I would send her some of the photos that I took of her. I told her, in order to do that, I'd have to take her picture. She chose to give me a smile and the last photo I took in Estonia was the best.
She worked at a very central restaurant that I passed several times a day. Not only could she recommend something good to eat, but she was a wealth of local information. One morning I searched for a newspaper with an article about my mural project. I looked in vain around the main train station. I thought it made sense to go where there were commuters. When I mentioned this to Sohvi, she said that was the most dangerous place in the whole country. And, that was my experience as three or four very aggressive homeless people came after me for some money. Sohvi sent me in a much safer direction and I found the paper I needed.
Sohvi was beautiful. She was exactly the type of person I like to photograph for my portraits. But, I didn't take a single picture of her. I traveled with another person who had all the right kind of photographic equipment but lacked an artist's eye. He took so many photos of Sohvi, that I was simply too embarrassed to ask for one.
However, on my last day in Tallinn, Sohvi asked if I would send her some of the photos that I took of her. I told her, in order to do that, I'd have to take her picture. She chose to give me a smile and the last photo I took in Estonia was the best.