Taken yesterday evening on Queen Street West in Parkdale, a neighbourhood of Toronto that while run down and home to many street people, is slowly being gentrified. As such it is a curious, mixed demographic of old and new, rich and poor that never fails to surprise.
While waiting for a photo group I was to lead to show up, I noticed a curiously dressed street person at an intersection who would run along a lane of cars waiting to make a right turn, knocking on each drivers' window, asking for change. When the cars began to turn he'd run along the sidewalk back to the corner and wait for the light to turn red, whereupon he'd run out to the first car in line and begin his efforts again.
After watching him for a few minutes he stopped to have a cigarette and I approached him, introduced myself and engaged him in conversation for a few minutes. I then asked for permission to take an informal portrait, which he was kind enough to grant and I took this shot.
Nikon D3
zoom-Nikkor 24~70 2.8 AF G ED
5.6 @ 1/640th, ISO 200
