Donny, Fort Collins, Colorado (2012)

This picture is #5 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Project on flickr.

I met Donny in Old Town Fort Collins one night in December as my wife and I enjoyed a shopping date. I had my F6 loaded with Velvia 100, mounted on a tripod shooting store fronts when Donny entered the frame. He posed, until I told him I was sorry, there wasn't enough light to make the image. After about 5 minutes of conversation my wife emerged from the store, met Donny, and asked if I'd made his photograph yet. I asked if he'd make his way over to a store window, hoping I could leverage their interior lights for a prayer of a shot. He obliged, we made a few frames, then continued talking for a half hour.

Donny has been a railroad rider for 20+ years, making his way from city to city via freight trains. As Downtown Christmas lights twinkled and shoppers ladened with sacks hurried by casting sideways glances pretending not to notice, Donny told us many stories that night, including times he was discovered, beaten, and thrown off the train. What struck me most about Donny was his kind, smiling eyes and unwillingness to use profanity in front of my wife. Donny was my age, though looked many years older. Despite a hard life, he was a kind-hearted man and we've thought of him many times in the ensuing cold, Colorado nights wondering where he is. We take comfort in knowing he was heading to Arizona for the winter.
Nikon F6, 50mm 1.4D, Velvia 100, 1/6@��1.4
� Copyright 2012 by John B. Crane.