Reading this article this morning, originally printed in Deadstate.org, made me think of how wonderful it would be for those of us who have a love for all things photographic, to have the freedom and courage to simply walk up to any subject head on and do what we love to do most – Interact, fully engaged, with the group of people or person that drew our creative attention in their direction in the first place. Face to face. Not from around a corner or hidden behind a tree. Not from a safe spot, hidden in the middle of some shrubbery. Not from the subject’s backside (good grief, how boring!!) And, most definitely not while pretending to take a picture of something over the subjects shoulder. I mean, c’mon people! – I think everyone is on to that tactic.
I’ve gone through several steps of uncomfortable growth to get to the point I am now in my (very) amateur photography hobby. I’m still not completely where I want to be in learning to just *go for the shot.* I tend to end up feeling squeamishly uncomfortable and as tho I’ve somehow invaded someone’s invisible bubble of privacy. But I’m getting there. One day I hope to feel comfortable enough to walk up to anyone, anywhere and take the shot. I just might end up with some amazing captures like these!
In 1974 a photographer met two mimes, only years later realizes who one of them was
Back in 1974, photographer Daniel Sorine came across two mimes in New York City’s Central Park. Something about them caught his eye, and he immediately began to snap pictures.
Years later, Sorine realized that one of the mimes was a then-unknown Robin Williams and the other was author Todd Oppenheimer.
“What attracted me to Robin Williams and his fellow mime, Todd Oppenheimer, was an unusual amount of intensity, personality and physical fluidity. When I approached them with my Pentax Spotmatic they allowed me to invite them into my camera instead of me having to chase after them.”
take a look:
It’s hard to know if these amazing shots of a young Robin Williams were captured because the photographer was confidant enough to simply walk up to his subject and shoot the picture or if it was simply a matter of Robin’s big personality, generosity and love of attention. But, I do know, that you have to step out from behind the bushes.
Being Margaret 