The Music Man

The Story

I was hot. I was panicking slightly. I was late and I didn't know where I was going.

This is really not the way you want to feel early on Monday morning when you're on your way to a major work event that requires you to be cool, calm, collected and professional.

As I hurried through the tunnels of Westminster station, the unmistakable sound of guitar music reached my ears.

Cavatina.

One of the most beautiful pieces of music that can ever be played on guitar, and as I drew nearer to its source, I smiled to myself.

My dad loved this piece. I wished he could hear it.

As I rounded the corner, my smile grew wider.

I know this man. This man whose fingers were, at that very moment, plucking panic from my chest and replacing it with peace.

You see, I took his picture - this picture - two and a half years ago at a different tube station, as he played Cavatina.

The smile stayed with me for the rest of the day.

The Logistics

Location: Tottenham Court Road Station, London

Date Taken: 5 September 2002

The Technical Details

Camera: Nikon 995
Metering: Matrix
Mode: Aperture Priority
Aperture: F5
Shutter Speed: 1/5sec
Focal Length: 30mm
Sensitivity: ISO 400