The Story Behind the Photograph #15

John Barnes

I have been working on a long term project that I call “Behind Bars”.

When I was working full time I used to travel almost constantly. One day it struck me that I might have contact with thirty or more people each day whom I would not be able to recall - and who would not be able to remember me - an hour later.  Hotel receptionists, baristas, airline check in staff, waiters, bar staff and so forth.  People usually behind a bar or counter.  So I started to pay attention.

I was  in Cardiff with the street photography group of Beacon Camera club, and we had stopped for lunch.  As we were sitting down I saw that one of the cooks stood out like a lighthouse - he was tall, handsome and seemed to exude calm.  It was a busy time for him and I had about thirty seconds to get two shots - one of him isolated, and then one with anther member of staff to give a sense of action. This is one of my favourites in the Behind Bars series.

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