Franz von O.

Smoking in Georgia

First of all: People / Portrait is - unfortunately - not "my" genre. I don't know why but I am of the opinion that you have to be born as a portrait photographer...or even not. But it doesn't stop me from trying...

So here is the litte story:

I was in Georgia (not US-State, haha) and I went into a building that was a hotel several decades before. Now there are appartments in it and a large a art studio in which this man lives. I met him because a friend in Georgia knows him well. Sadly I can't remember his name but he is an artist (painting) from Georgia. If someone knows, please tell me!
So we walked into his studio without ringing the bell or an invitation. It's quiet normal in Georgia... He sat in a chair next to a small table drinking some tea. He was happy to see his friend and me. I didn't understand any word while he was talking gently to our mutual friend making some jokes (as far as I "understood"). But suddenly he turned to me and said intensely: "Take a picture while I'm smoking". I was a bit confused but he took a cigarette and started to smoke right away. Then he walked to a magnifying glass in a dark corner of the studio which he uses for his paintings. He just stared at me through that glass. He didn't say any word and stared and stared and stared.
So I went a few step to him - not saying any word - and took only 10 pictures as he suddenly turned back to our friend who was waiting at the table and started to grin. It was a litte bit weired but also "magic".
Here are the best shots to me...

Hope you enjoy!