There's this thing with photography that I've always dreaded, and always done my best to prevent from happening. Therefore, I always carry a camera of some sort, usually my 5D and 50mm f/1.4, maybe the AE-1 and 50mm f/1.4, and at bare minimum, my iPhone.
So a couple nights ago, I found myself at a local downtown diner, the Satellite, here in Spokane. We had some food, shot the shit, and during this time, a darling old lady walked past, and seated herself in the booth directly behind me.
I didn't think much of it, until we got up to leave. I put my satchel on, and saw her still sitting there, enjoying a full meal and cup of coffee.
I instantly saw this photograph. This dear old lady, assumingly a widow, sitting at a diner at 11:00p on a Thursday night having dinner by her lonesome. I grabbed the AE-1, deciding this was the type of shot that only deserved to be captured on film, so digital can fuck off for the night, and began to kneel down to her table to ask permission to take her photo. At that very moment I saw a tear begin to roll down her face, and had to retreat. It was hands down one of the saddest things I think I've experienced.
It was one of those moments that I knew there was the potential for this to be one of those iconic photos, a street portrait if you will, that was so riddled with heart-breaking emotion, on so many levels, it was overwhelming. But, alas, I held my ground in retreat, and let the lady continue her night, uninterrupted, and for all I know, better or worse off than it had began. Could I have made her day? Or would I have been intruding on her ritual? I'll never know, and that's almost the beauty of it, despite being the most annoying part, haha.
Nonetheless, the potential there, so incredible. Over-whelming. But that's one day (or night) towards the rest of my life, so who knows what'll happen next!
So a couple nights ago, I found myself at a local downtown diner, the Satellite, here in Spokane. We had some food, shot the shit, and during this time, a darling old lady walked past, and seated herself in the booth directly behind me.
I didn't think much of it, until we got up to leave. I put my satchel on, and saw her still sitting there, enjoying a full meal and cup of coffee.
I instantly saw this photograph. This dear old lady, assumingly a widow, sitting at a diner at 11:00p on a Thursday night having dinner by her lonesome. I grabbed the AE-1, deciding this was the type of shot that only deserved to be captured on film, so digital can fuck off for the night, and began to kneel down to her table to ask permission to take her photo. At that very moment I saw a tear begin to roll down her face, and had to retreat. It was hands down one of the saddest things I think I've experienced.
It was one of those moments that I knew there was the potential for this to be one of those iconic photos, a street portrait if you will, that was so riddled with heart-breaking emotion, on so many levels, it was overwhelming. But, alas, I held my ground in retreat, and let the lady continue her night, uninterrupted, and for all I know, better or worse off than it had began. Could I have made her day? Or would I have been intruding on her ritual? I'll never know, and that's almost the beauty of it, despite being the most annoying part, haha.
Nonetheless, the potential there, so incredible. Over-whelming. But that's one day (or night) towards the rest of my life, so who knows what'll happen next!
_cupcake:
sad you didnt get the picture, but atleast you got to see it in real life. great idea though.
talamia:
I know I'm responding to this which is an old blog, but I know exactly what you mean here, I understand this tip-toe'ing around the fine line all too well. Your story of the old woman is so moving though...