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Description
Shoot Me!

I was shooting in North Philly the other day. I try to go to places like this to capture elements that remind and reaffirm that everyday life for some isn't everyday life for everyone. We naturally forget this because we are selfish. We sometimes pretend we don't forget it, but we do. Whatever. It's forgivable if we want it to be. Most of us don't, even though we say we do.

I was walking down Broad Street in North Philly heading South. Broad Street is a unique place. You can see a lot on Broad if you have your eyes open. Acknowledge what you pass between points A and D. We don't do that a lot of times. If you do that on Broad you will notice the differences between affluence and poverty because one is often right next door to the other. I was working on capturing some of that when this big guy in the back of a moving van started yelling at me.

"Hey, why don't you take a picture of me!"

I gave him a smile to confirm.

"Shoot me."

I shot him. I believe he really appreciated it. I could tell by the smile on his face (it was a real smile). Also by the pose he gave me after the first shot. People like to be noticed sometimes. Sometimes, it's even enough to brighten up an otherwise empty day. That's because we don't usually notice other people; just ourselves. When we notice people--when we intentionally give them our time--it really means a lot. But, you know that. I doubt you do it enough though. In fact I'm sure of it. Neither do I.

We should give more of our time to others than we do to ourselves. That's what I believe at least. And, that's why I think it's a hideous idea to move off to some private suburban estate away from all of the other beautiful people of the world. Here's to that, and here's to you, big guy.

Nikon D200 | Nikkor 85mm 1.4 | ISO 400 | 1/60s or so | f1.4

Description
Shoot Me!

I was shooting in North Philly the other day. I try to go to places like this to capture elements that remind and reaffirm that everyday life for some isn't everyday life for everyone. We naturally forget this because we are selfish. We sometimes pretend we don't forget it, but we do. Whatever. It's forgivable if we want it to be. Most of us don't, even though we say we do.

I was walking down Broad Street in North Philly heading South. Broad Street is a unique place. You can see a lot on Broad if you have your eyes open. Acknowledge what you pass between points A and D. We don't do that a lot of times. If you do that on Broad you will notice the differences between affluence and poverty because one is often right next door to the other. I was working on capturing some of that when this big guy in the back of a moving van started yelling at me.

"Hey, why don't you take a picture of me!"

I gave him a smile to confirm.

"Shoot me."

I shot him. I believe he really appreciated it. I could tell by the smile on his face (it was a real smile). Also by the pose he gave me after the first shot. People like to be noticed sometimes. Sometimes, it's even enough to brighten up an otherwise empty day. That's because we don't usually notice other people; just ourselves. When we notice people--when we intentionally give them our time--it really means a lot. But, you know that. I doubt you do it enough though. In fact I'm sure of it. Neither do I.

We should give more of our time to others than we do to ourselves. That's what I believe at least. And, that's why I think it's a hideous idea to move off to some private suburban estate away from all of the other beautiful people of the world. Here's to that, and here's to you, big guy.

Nikon D200 | Nikkor 85mm 1.4 | ISO 400 | 1/60s or so | f1.4