We had a local festival this weekend, and I managed to lug my "new" Polaroid 450 Land Camera along to test it out. I decided to approach the most interesting looking people I could find, and they were all very friendly and approachable. I've noticed that it's becoming easier to approach people, and I'm more confident that they'll say yes to me. But I've also noticed that my skills are lacking. I get a bit nervous after they say yes, and I don't take the time to consider that the light may be directly in their eyes (see above). Oh well.
I've also noticed that people are very eager to discuss the Polaroid camera itself, and they seem less leery of having their photo made with an old camera versus a new digital DSLR or iPhone. Interesting.
Folks beyond a certain age tend to recognize my older cameras, and I suppose it brings to mind good memories, which instantly breaks down a barrier.
I felt happy when I left the festival. I had connected with several people I'd never met before, seen my kids play hard, and I'd exhausted that nagging urge to take photos. I hope you had a good weekend, too.
Comments
Good question. I have given people the photo at times, but this weekend, I wanted to keep them. I'll tell you about a funny incident....
I saw this girl, and she had a great look. She was dressed like a retro pin-up girl, but she had bright pink hair and several tattoos. :-)
So I approached her and asked if I could take her photo. She said yes and I snapped her portrait. She leaned forward as I pulled the instant polaroid film apart, and peeked at the brand new photo. I held it up for her to look at it, and she grabbed it out of my hand and yelled, "Thanks!" as she walked away.
:p
And of course I had to reply, "Do you think the Pentagon attack was nothing?", as New York didn't have a monopoly on "victimhood". He shook his head and walked away, cussing me out under his breath.
If he had squeegied the windshield, I would have probably given him a buck. But as all he had to offer me was his curses, and so he got the bourgeois shaft.
That's what I love about money. It buys one a little social distance. And as I had just spent the entire weekend fullfilling social obligations that I couldn't buy my way out of, (moving all of my daughter's furniture and belongings to Queens) I felt good about the social interaction with my recent, less affluent, acquaintance.
:P
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150 mm. should solve that issue.
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He REALLY needs to change his approach.
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No kidding. But Duck, I'm realizing that the camera can either serve to distance me from others (150mm), or connect me (50mm). I guess that was the small price I paid for "connecting" on that day.
But yes...there are many times recently that I would prefer to go unnoticed.
No, there is no such thing as too ironic. Keep it up. :)
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Yep. We were all wiped out at the end of the day. They bounced in the bouncy-houses, ran around with their school friends, ate BBQ, watched a Wild West shoot out, and played on the playground. I supposed it doesn't get much better than that.