C'ville Mall Street Scenes

This was a "shoot from the hip" shot where I only had one take as they past. The held hands, the patterns, the movement make for an interesting shot.

Before moving to C’ville, my subject matter was mostly barns, cows, birds, flowers, snow, and sunsets. They were in abundance around our home in Wisconsin. Since moving to Charlottesville my surroundings have become urban and human! We live a block off the downtown pedestrian mall, and prior to Covid, it was a happening place; and the shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and many outdoor concerts and buskers were my muses.

This past week our photo class assignment was street photography. I haven’t done much in the last year, because of distancing, closed businesses, cancelled entertainment, and masks. Things are loosening up and with the coming of spring came the people. So yesterday I went out and stretched my street muscles.

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Many people question the legality and validity of street photography. Here is a link that explains some of the issues, but I also use my own rules when photographing people. I am hoping to celebrate the human condition. I am not a journalist who is trying to make a statement about policy or plight, but rather a mirror to catch glimpses of the wonderments around us. So I try to be kind with my photography.  The captions I have included with these photos further explain my thoughts. Enjoy, and click on any photo to see a larger version.

The photo on the left is more about the bricks and the smoke than the person. I love the way he is almost a silouette against the bricks.

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I rarely shoot children, but this face haloed by the dark carriage hood was irresistable in the interest they took in the world while mom was on the phone.

I like how the lettering provides a frame for this diner. The empty chairs and his headphones and cell phone add to the solitary feeling.

I loved the graphic quality that color brings to this shot. Often I prefer black and white because it can make the photo less like a shot of a specific individual, and more like a universal scene. But sometimes color is a must!

This is one where I combined a couple of shots. These guys were so engrossed in their conversation, I was able to take several shots. I switched dogs from a different shot into this.

This is a true shot of the time we are in. These two women were having a business meeting outside their store. I included the pedestrians to give more context to the shot. Don't miss the words on the sign.

I took these two photos to show that "street" isn't always "faces". I shoot people from the back often. These two young women were just delightful, and this shot portrayed their movement and closeness much better than the one I took from the front. On the right photo, I was watching the humans interact, when I finally noticed how the canines were interacting. Their "conversation" was more interesting than the human one!

I took about 25 pictures of this couple. I couldn't hear a word they were saying, but it was evident they were totally enthralled with each other and in their own world. If I were a writer I would have written a short story about them. These photos are almost more portrait than "street". I really lucked out on the lighting and with the dark bar behind her face that really added contrast. I am including more of these shots below because they are just too fun. The center one is when a little girl outside the coffee shop also spied them and knocked on the window to wave!

This last photo is also at the coffee shop; And while the couple was animated, this person was serene and solo.

And here is my favorite from the week. My friend titled this "I scoff at the size of your fish"!

I can not decide if it is rapt attention or utter boredom on the old gent's face, but it is interesting either way!