From top down: Moon, Jupiter, Mercury, lighthouse
By the time that I left work today, about 5:15, or so, the sun was nearly at the horizon. Sunset was 5:21 PM. I figured that I could at least make it to the beach and catch a bit of twilight. So, I made a beeline for the beach. I arrived there about 5:45, just at the end of twilight, but the light was still pretty sweet. I really like this time of day.
I grab my camera and tripod and setup for the first picture of the night in front of Seaside Inn. There is a gentleman standing to the left, so I move over a bit so as not to get him into the frame. He takes it upon himself to walk over to me and start a conversation.
“That’s a really nice camera you got there. Have you seen when they turn on the lights on the palm trees? That camera and lens must have cost you a grand ($1,000 US) easily, blah, blah, blah”.
Meanwhile, the light is fading, fading, fading. I take a few snaps and then his ride arrives and he leaves. I head towards the beach. Usually when I go to the beach at this time of night, I’m the only one there, or close to it. Today as about 70 degrees, so a lot of people were at the beach. As I went to set up my tripod on the walk-over, a group of about 20 people come tromping by, a few wanting to talk about what type of camera I have, etc. Sigh …
I take a couple of pictures there and move on to the beach thinking that I’ll get some piece and quiet. Twilight is over and it’s getting pretty dark. I had on a black jacket, thinking that I could move stealthily now. No dice. This lady had great night vision. I framed up my shot, meaning to capture Venus, the moon, Mercury, and Jupiter in my frame. After she heard the shutter click, she decided to come over and explain to me what her group was doing and asked if I’d like to join. They were doing some meditation on the beach. I politely refused, she tried a couple of times and told me that it would really help me to relax. I told that was what I was trying to do with my camera. She finally went back to her group.
OK, I’ll just move down the beach a bit, away from the crowd. That’ll do it! So, I move about 100 feet away from the mediation group and a couple makes a move towards me to ask me if I knew which planets those were in the sky. I told them. They said thanks and moved on. As soon as I put my eye to the viewfinder, another guy comes up to me and says: That sure is a nice view, isn’t it? Are you taking pictures of that? You should? LOL!
Oh well, I did manage to take 20 pictures, but it was not very relaxing. I guess that sometimes when the planets align, they align for you, sometimes against you. 
Looks like they were aligned for conversation this evening, not photography!
20 pictures, 5 interruptions, and 23 minutes later, I headed home.
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9 Responses to “Blah, blah, blah”
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You must look like a guy that people want to talk to!
Can’t be all bad…
@Eric: Nope. Not bad. Generally, I like to stop and chat. There have been times when I have chatted the entire evening away, getting very little photography done at all; however, yesterday, I just kind of wanted to relax, unwind, and immerse myself into the evening. And yes, I seem to be very approachable, for whatever reason.
On the flip side, it could have been a great opportunity to take pictures of people, all these great subjects walking up and offering themselves to you, shots of people meditating, couples out for a stroll
Some days you have to stop fighting to ignore & reject the gifts life offers to you. (just teasing…)
@Gordon: Thanks, Craig, er, I mean, Gordon.
I was in the mood for waves, moonlight, and sand. However, you are correct. It would have been a great opportunity to do that.
…but you still managed to get some very tranquil, relaxing shots. The first one is really gorgeous! Isn’t it great sometimes that a photo doesn’t tell the whole story?
Thomas’s point about photos not telling the whole story made me smile. I agree. The beautiful shots above would convince me that you had a long evening of uninterrrupted quiet time—just you and nature.
I am fascinated by this business of how we fasten on an idea of what we want and try to brush aside what we get. Interesting stuff. And, there is a case to be made for sticking with one’s purpose and perservering in spite of distractions. Another of those tricky balancing issues.
This sort of thing happens to me a lot too. While it can be stressful to an extent it’s also gratifying that, in these times, people still want to talk to strangers.
However, the one question that gets me really annoyed, just by its sheer stupidity, is “What are you doing?”
My usual answer is “Cooking breakfast!” or some other sarcastic comment.
Happy New Year to you and yours Paul!
This is a very relaxing photograph Paul. Maybe those little interruptions were keeping you from getting to this precise moment in time too soon, which allowed you to capture this magnificent shot. So maybe sometimes distractions are necessary? I also think a picture of a group of meditators sitting on the beach at sunset meditating would have been awesome to. There was an old saying that went “Never look a gift horse in the mouth”. Take what life gives you. I SAY BRING BACK THE CHICKEN HAT AND BE READY TO TELL THE STORY OF ALL WHO WILL COME TO YOU!!!!!!!
@Richard: Some excellent and enlightening points, Richard! I had forgotten about the Chicken Hat. It does attract people, to be sure! When someone sees you with Chicken Hat on your head, suddenly, you don’t seem dangerous at all! LOL!