So I was out photographing during Labor Day weekend and had an interesting experience with a couple of women.  I wrote about this but failed to mention while driving back home I saw a fascinating scene in the front yard of someone’s house. Signs for a presidential candidate and some strange items placed around them. The guy putting together this strange photographic scene was out there digging or doing something. He was about half my age, tattooed and about twice my size. I slowed down a little more to take a look but he gave me one back that was not very inviting. Another time, with other circumstances I would have got out, tried to engage and hopefully would have made the picture, but I have been to this rodeo before and know when to back off.  So I kept on driving. About a half a mile down the road I executed an important photographic maneuver – the all-important illegal u-turn. I drove back and slowly took a long look.  The glare I got convinced me that the picture was meant to be … just not that day!

So I did another u-turn, drove a little ways down the road, pulled off to the side and wrote down the coordinates so I would know how to get back another time to make that photograph.  It turned out to be a beautiful fall day this past Friday (I know its technically not fall but it sure feels that way here in Bucks County) so I carved out some time around work and headed back hoping the scene remained as I remembered it, minus the unfriendly looking fellow.

As I drove by I quickly noticed one of the most important elements of the picture was missing. Nevertheless I drove around the location several times and finally found a somewhat precarious location to ditch the car. I grabbed my camera and light meter and proceeded to walk. As I was getting closer, the chap from the last go around hops out of his pickup truck and walks up to me … but this time he has a friend with him.

$#@%^&*(!

“What are you doing here?”

NOTE: I’m not as young or as fast as I used to be, but better not to panic — “Hey man, how you doing? Where’s the mannequin?  I was driving by last time and now it’s gone! I take pictures; do you mind?  This is really cool but where’s the mannequin?”

“It fell down; you want me to get it?”

“Yah, that would be great; I’m just going to take a few snaps, OK?”

“No problem, I need to go to work now … take as many as you want but don’t let my wife see you out here!”

“Hey man … really appreciate it … thanks!”

So I hung out awhile, walked around and made a few pictures. The other good news was my car was still where I left it.  I look forward to developing the negatives soon and seeing how things look on the proof sheet.  So all in all a very nice outcome, and one that would not have been possible if had given up on the picture … if had not gone back for it.  Things were a little dicey for a brief moment, but we talked.

We live in strange and difficult times, and we’re not very good right now at communicating with those with whom we may disagree.  We need to get beyond that, and fast, if we are to move forward and make things better.

Oh … and don’t give up on your picture … not if it means something to you.

Stay safe,

Michael