Sliding Doors
WARNING - BAD SHOT ALERT!
So why bother posting it?
There is so much talk about the mechanics and ethics of street photography what with rights and
respect of privacy, the snatching of a stranger's image. But this photo, to me, presents the other
side of the equation. I was the one minding my own business.
I came out of the dentist, tired and grumpy, and stepped into the elevator on the 15th Floor where
this man was standing in the corner. My big camera was over my shoulder, lens cap on, settings
set for the bright sunshine outside.
"Hey," he smiled, "you want to take my photo!"
Never one to say no to such an invitation I worked quickly to turn it all on, turn up the ISO,
change this and change that before the door opened on the 14th floor where he was getting out.
It all happened in a moment and this was the pose I managed to get. It is crooked, badly lit, you
name it, but I like his smile and I enjoyed his care-free exuberance.
The generosity of a stranger.
He made my day!
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Shows that you should always have you camera with you.
dentists are never good . How fortunate to have a good fairy to cheer you up.
You said it!
One day, soon I hope, when I have more time I shall have fun taking my good fairy through the layers of photoshop to give him the sparkle and shine he deserves!
(Thank you Photoshop Good Fairy!)
Yes, and a camera set “to go” at all times although I never would have expected a photographic opportunity to present itself in an elevator in a usually quiet building. Now I know!
Great shot.
Thanks Tom.
why should it have to be perfect? it’s the story that counts 🙂
Perfect is such a scary notion . . . 🙂
I love candid, fun, unexpected shots like this! Didn’t feel grumpy after snapping it I bet! Margie
I am easily distracted!
Well, you can call it that, or exhibistionism ;). I am glad he made you smile…. The pic is not bad Patti. I am impressed how quickly you have chaged your settings. You can work under pressure, girl 😀
But New York is full of
exhibitionistsindividuals, it’s what makes it so much fun!Sometimes, when we least expect it a photo opportunity comes along and we better be quick or it’s lost forever. I’m lucky that I have programmable settings on the Pentax K-30 and one of them is reserved for just such an opportunity as this, auto iso (100 – 3200), shutter priority, centre focus point, shoot JPEG instead of RAW and continuous shooting, With a flick of the control dial the camera is ready to go
I wonder if my camera has this . . . . thank you Mike!
I think it’s great you posted this. The strength of his character carries the shot. He looks like he’d be great to go to the pub with.
Perhaps if I had been more ready with the camera I would have an ok shot of him standing in the corner of a closed lift/elevator and we wouldn’t be talking about it here. Thank you Richard for the thumbs up!
Perhaps he was familiar with your work from Nylon Daze, Ms. K!
🙂
I am lucky I wasn’t eating or drinking when I read your comment Sig, I almost choked! 🙂
You have to love New York becuase of things like this. He was a willing subject and proud of it.
Glad you posted it. ~~ : – )
That’s for sure, thank you Isadora!
LoL – Once a street photographer, always a street photographer 🙂
The issues are not street photographers but the idiot journo’s who use long lenses to spy into private gardens – when challenged they then hide behind us and we all get tarred with the same brush. Get rid of the paparazzi and creative photography can live again. We can all aspire to be Cartier-Bressons.. 🙂
Money talks, and celebrities and paparazzi all have their prices! I am such a tadpole compared to the sharks out there, and they’re hiding behind me ?. . . . 🙂
I love this shot – he drew you out! I don’t feel worried about the flaws you mentioned. The big SEE ME! statement carries it off.
I would have felt such a sour puss to let this one go and I am so pleased you enjoyed the moment, thank you!
This is a great story. The photo may not be perfect but his personality sure does shine.
Thank you NN, I was truly grateful for his sunshine!
He is cool Patti , Great shot my friend 🙂
You’re cool too, thanks Jake!
Great warm shot.. and anything that heals the misery of a dental visit is worth its weight in gold!! 🙂
I hope I see him again, just to let him know!
I like it. This is very cool and it’s homest.
Funnt thing, I’m getting ready to post Part 10 of The Unrepentant Flâneur’s Guide to Street Photography and the topic this time is about the difference between the snapshot and a street photo, and the decisions made to make either type of image.
One of the points I’ll be trying to make is that snapshots aren’t necessarily bad, as you’ve demonstrated here. This is still a real moment, and a positive one at that.
I can’t wait to read your thoughts on this rich topic!
What a generous, happy man. He not only made your day but the readers you are part of your post. His enthusiasm shines like sunshine bringing smiles to those around him. It’s amazing how strangers can surprise us in a good way. Great shot!
His smile has certainly gone a long way!
Only you, Patti. Only you.
It’s the vibes, woman.
I have to tell you Judith, I didn’t think my vibes were at all good . . . .
A nice moment that would have been lost forever. Even a visit to the dentist can end with a smile.
Thank you Charles, it was as good as a visit from the tooth fairy!