People
Guns!
As you know, I’ve come to have a fondness for photographing people of late. Sometimes, I just like to sit and watch. Sometimes, people actually come up to me and ask if I want to take their picture! It’s kind of strange. That’s never happened before I actually started taking pictures of people. Now, it’s like they kind of pick up on it and want to be photographed. 
Take for example, this guy in the first picture. I was in Star$$$ (Startbucks) in Savannah during my workshop. There were about 3 or 4 of us together. When we got ready to leave, I was the last in line. He waited until the others passed and then asked me if I wanted to take a picture of his ‘guns’! Of course, I obliged and complimented him on the caliber of his gun! LOL! His wife came from out of the bathroom and remarked: “Jeez! I can’t leave you alone for one minute!”. We all had a good laugh and then I was on my way.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel was another guy that I met in Savannah. He had been in the Vietnam war. He related that an explosion had blinded him in both eyes, but that a former enemy, a Japanese doctor, had restored eyesight in his right eye. He said that he was blind for a period of about 6 months before his sight was restored. He told me that he was very happy to be alive and to be able to see. He plays saxophone on the street every other day; however, this particular day was his day off. He was on the street listening to another sax player.
The face of hope
Probably one of my favorite pictures. This lady, whose name I do not remember, was homeless. She was the second person that I ever asked permission to take their picture. I don’t know if you can see it, but she seemed to have an absolutely wonderful spirit. One that exuded hope. To me, she was breathtaking. When I first met her, she was someone whom I just wanted to reach out to and help. It was an instant connection.
Solitude: Gathering strength
There are happy faces, sad faces, proud faces, and angry faces. I saw faces of love, faces of hope, faces of contentment, and each one of them brings me joy.
There are no insignificant moments.
There are no insignificant moments.
This says it all, Paul. I think that is why it has been fun to watch your photography evolve. You seem to have found your niche–a photojournalistic approach. From the outside looking in, it seems that people pictures is your special niche, because whenever you share these photos, you share more than a snapshot of a passing moment; you collect their unique stories, as well. That takes time beyond the release of the shutter. I would love to see a book of featured stories/photos from you. I’ve always said that if money were not an issue, I would take time off and travel the U.S., spending time in small towns. I’d ask to meet the oldest person in town, and spend a day with each one. Black-and-white photos, plus their stories.
It’s the kind of book I love to read and collect.
It’s the type of work you’ve done lately, too, and you’re getting really good at it!
I agree with photo buffet….you are getting really good. I enjoy redaing your posts!
Lovely shots. The first and the third are outstanding.
Bonnie: You said: “I think that is why it has been fun to watch your photography evolve. You seem to have found your niche–a photojournalistic approach” It’s funny how much thinking that I’ve done on this topic. I seriously tried to resist this change, but that’s like asking a river to reverse its direction. It’s going to happen whether or not I like it; however, it was just a factor of a label that I had applied to myself, Landscape Photographer.
Now that I look at my photos, they are taking a very people-oriented direction, which I find exciting. People are interesting, spontaneous, wacky, and downright unpredictable.
I love to sit with the people and get their stories. It greatly reduces the number of images that you can get in a day, but it sure is great to be able to sit and chat with someone for 15-30 minutes, whom you didn’t know until that moment. And everyone, I mean everyone, has something to teach you! You may really have to look hard for it, but it’s there!
Thanks for you kind words! I appreciate them.
Wow, “Solitude: gathering strength” is superb! Great setting, and choice of B&W. I love the lighting, especially on the man, and his posture of reflective silence. You’ve communicated a whole lot in this shot.
Face of Hope: really amazing picture and amazing expression on her face !!!