A Photographic Walk

My photographic walk day was a walk in the park, a delightful day spent photographing some of the people I encounter in my daily life. As Bruce Gilden says, "I love the people I photograph. I mean, they're my friends. I've never met most of them, or I don't know them at all, yet through my images, I live with them."

After I explained my “365 Photographic Challenge,” all the participants were eager to have their photographs taken. I think their delight was visible, and all they wanted to know was whether the photographs would be published in the local newspaper, which was also on sale today. 

Unfortunately, I had to dash their hopes of local stardom, but they brightened up when I told them I have a website and that the photographs will be published there. The hope of “celebrity” status was quickly latched onto, so who knows—maybe I took the first photograph of a future star. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

My day started with a visit to the upholsterer, then to the laundry service, and finally to the gas station to refuel my car. There, I always have a delightful visit with the attendants, as Jannie, one of the attendants, is a keen and very good photographer. Today he showed me his recent landscape and sunset photographs; he certainly has an eye for light, color, and composition.

The car guard, Samuel Snyders, who has his strip on Church Street, is intelligent and streetwise, with a good tongue to match. He struck a good pose to show off his tattoos. I missed his wife; she’s a character who seldom lets him get the better of her. Glib and full of spite and malice, they make a fine team. Fortunately, the ladies from the Bible Study group are praying to keep them on the straight and narrow!

Bradley, the fruit seller, was eager to do a bit of marketing; he didn’t miss a beat and even sold a carton of apples while we were negotiating. He’s a long way from Portland—amazing where some T-shirts end up!

Whether it was a parking attendant or one of the men on the huge garbage truck, they all laughed and seemed pleased to have their photographs taken.  What I found most fascinating was that everyone had access to the Internet, showed keen interest in my project, and promised to "Google" me.  

Although I did have some challenging times, this was a good day. The lighting wasn’t always perfect; the sky was cloudy but very bright. I had to overexpose by a notch when a cap or hoody was worn, which blew out the skies.  

Once the motorcar was on the hydraulic lift, I managed a quick examination.

“It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.” - Alfred Eisenstaedt. I admit my French is poor; how I'd love to greet Harry with a friendly Bonjour!

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