I’ve been in a kind of “photographic slump” lately, so today I decided to go out and at least bring home ONE good image. Not just any image, but an image that conveys a story. You know, the “thousand words” thing that pictures are supposed to be worth. So after the worst cappuccino at Starbucks (or anywhere around here, for that matter) I decided that it would be safe to go to Universal Studios and walk around. I didn’t want to take pictures of “interesting people” with “interesting tattoos and such” or alley ways, doorways, fake characters or the like. I didn’t do any of that [nodding “yes’]. I forced myself to look out for that “decisive moment”. Un image Bresson-esque (I just made that up). My take on the “guy jumping over a puddle taken through a gate grill/fence”. My version of Eisenstaedt “V-J Day” (we share the same first name, so why not).
Well, it didn’t turn out that way. At least, not now. I’d have to wait for the photo editor of Time or the guys at Magnum Photos to read my blog to see if my photo’s status is elevated as such, but for now, I am content with it. I won’t say much about it. Definitely less than a thousand words. It depicts “happiness”. A genuine, unadulterated happiness. I tried to capture the girl’s expression at this moment, but her excitement over the music made her dance uncontrollably. But looking at Jake’s and Curtis’ expressions (I’m assuming that’s Curtis on the saxophone), you can tell they’re reciprocating. How do I know it was genuine? Because when my son is happy I can feel it.
* * *
(honorable mentioned photos of the day)
