Carpe Diem

Since I am primarily a documentary photographer, my subjects do not come to me of their own volition; I usually have to go out and discover them for myself.  For a person like me who is painfully shy, that means I often experience quite a bit of anxiety whenever I pull out my camera in public.  Sometimes, I get all self-conscious when I'm merely shooting the facade of a building and not even trying to shoot strangers. 

This happened to me a couple days ago when I was walking by an old dive bar/music venue that my husband and I had gone to when we were dating.  I took a few photos of the front of the building and was trying to get some shots through the window of the midday patrons sitting at the bar, when suddenly the door swung open, and an employee came out to have a smoke.  I immediately walked a few steps away, turned my back and pretended to be deeply engrossed in going through the photos on my camera.  I couldn't have been more obvious about trying to hide my photographic desires, but what happened next was still quite unexpected.

"Do you want to come in and take some photos of the inside?" asked the guy as he finished his smoke break.  I looked up from my camera, feeling my cheeks burn red, and answered, "Really??"

"Sure, c'mon in!"

Initially, my social anxiety almost won out, and I was about to decline.  I quickly realized, however, that I was being offered an unusual opportunity, and I shyly followed the man into the bar.  What I saw inside bathed in the glow of the wintry midafternoon light took my breath away.  From the dingy worn-out floors to the vibrant colors of the murals and decor, this was clearly not the nocturnal interior cloaked in the dimness of the too few incandescent lights that I had been familiar with.  Boy, was I glad I decided to seize the day instead of walking away.

What I realized from this experience was that I was more willing to shoot freely when someone else gave me permission to do so.  Well, what if what I really need is to give myself permission to keep my camera out in the open?  What would happen if the next time I'm in a public place where the irresistable images are just waiting for me to take them home, I gave myself permission to be not so fearful?  What if I simply took my camera out and started shooting?  What if I chose to seize the day EVERY day?  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't regret it.

I know {erin darcy photogrpahy}, {robin accidentally} and jeroldssis would agree.  How about you?  Please share with us your links to images that you seized from your day.

Comments

[Jim Pankey, USN (Ret.)]

You've captured the atmosphere perfectly; no other angle would have done as good. Seizing the opportune moment at the right time with the right approach equals photographic excellence. Serendipity.

[meg]

how awesome that the guy saw you and offered for you to come in. this shot reminds me of a couple of bars i used to go to when i lived in detroit. i wonder what they looked like bathed in light? maybe i'll go back --to the ones that are not closed down.