Pierre Thielmans is the Dean of Single men here at SMBC (Sydney Missionary Bible College). The man, like the name, is an interesting one. I think he has some Belgian kind of past. I know he speaks French, but now he is undeniably Australian.
I love a face that tells a story. That is definately Pierre. If only you could read the transcript of a face. What where the punchlines to the thousand jokes that delivered each wrinkle/laugh line? Did that lightly lined foerhead ever reform itself into a furrowed brow? What sights in this world have been reflected in those eyes? How many people have responded to that almost-too-big smile?
I find myself taking a lot of portraits these days. Of course, most of them end up in the landscape format (Pierre being the exception) and more often than not I find myself right up in their face, rather than hanging back to get the big picture. It’s almost like the closer I get, the better chance I have of seeing through the face! Like if I look close enough I might actually see those stories written in those little lines, that rather than my reflection in those eyes, I might see Paris in the Spring, a newborn baby, or a blushing bride?
Does it work that way? Are our faces like those frustrating 3D puzzles? The answers are there if we stare hard enough and long enough?
I’m not sure. I just don’t know. But I do know that every face has a story, so I will keep on listening as long as they are willing to speak.
Tim Goldsmith 