You're Not In the Way

Finally decided this morning to make a photo of the continued deterioration of the concrete curbs along East Main Street by Old Bag of Nails. I wanted to get something in the archive ready for when it becomes more than an eyesore for shoppers and diners.

I studied several angles that might work to tell the tale and decided to shoot them all. Some with a telephoto for an up-close compressed angle, and a variety of wide-angle views to show location and how much was broken.

I knew having a person in the frame would help give the photo a perspective on the size of the problem. It didn’t take very long before someone approached. I positioned myself to show the full width of the broken curb and waited for the man to step in and through the frame.

His response was typical. When he saw me he ran through the frame instead of continuing his more leisurely pace along the sidewalk. He apologized after clearing the debris and the frame I’d set for the photo. Instead of being selective about his position in the frame when I made a photo, I made six quick frames hoping at least one would be effective.

Several had him looking at me, apologetically. Wouldn’t use those. One he was almost out of the frame to the far right. The one above was the best.

All I wanted was a chance to find the best moment in his travels. That was denied by his fear that he was interfering in my photo. That his presence disturbed my near-perfect view. The truth was he was an essential part of the story. A necessary object now avoiding me and the camera.

If you see a photographer pointing a camera in your direction, forget they are there. Go about your business with no concern for the photographer.

I’m thinking about a tattoo on my forearm. “Pay no attention to me,” “Ignore me,” and “Forget that I’m here,” are the favored choices.

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