Storytelling With Still Photographs – Cinema & Editorial
While visiting Ann Arbor, Michigan I was walking the streets, interested in the cinematic lighting on the streets. I passed this alley as I walked on the sidewalk. I saw something very similar to this image in a quick glimpse as I passed by. I backed up and shot what I had seen, no more than one or two frames. Then the women were aware of me and the moment was gone.
My wife Rhoda and I travelled to Cork, Ireland. Our friends, Dan Adsmond, a professor at Ferris State University and his wife, Deb invited us to visit them while Dan was on sabbatical in Cork. They were surprised when we said “Yes”.
Cork was a delightful place…one of those places you travel to and decide that you could easily live there. We were visiting the art museum in Cork. I looked out the window from this vantage point…a fascinating view of the pedestrian traffic. I shot many frames and ended up deciding on this one.
I usually did not do this kind of photograph layering but for some reason (alas, the artist’s mind…) a photograph I had taken of a berry bush in winter in Frankfort, Michigan came to mind. The lines of the combined photographs worked out well graphically.
Miami, Florida is a fascinating place. Through AirB&B I stayed at the home of a young lady named Jessica who was very cordial. I travelled there to do street photography on a trip that included visiting my sister Judy in Jupiter, Florida. I loved Miami’s Hispanic culture; the neighborhood was rich in it. I ate at a Guatemalan restaurant that appeared to be popular…I was a minority as a non-Hispanic there…I loved it. I hope to return to photograph in that restaurant one day.
I met this young man named Prince at Jessica’s place. He was part of a group visiting her. I asked him if I could photograph him…he more than obliged, an eager subject. I retired to my bedroom, processed the photo in post-production and returned to the group to show him the portrait. He was delighted; so was I. I got his email address and sent him a high-resolution copy of it.
