Sarasota, Halloween Doll
There is a community of the spirit.
Join it, and feel the delight
Of walking in the noisy street
And being the noise.
— Rumi 13th century, translated by Coleman Barks
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One reason street photography is so difficult to define is because it’s more a state of mind, an attitude, or an intention, than a thing. So, depending on my state of mind, I can be a National Geographic photographer, or a Henri Cartier-Bresson, or even a Henri David Thoreau. Thoreau never took a photograph in his life, yet he was a solitary figure, walking, seeing, and recording everything with his pencil, his camera. There are times when I love to photograph with Goldie, and other times I prefer to do so alone.
Sarasota is as divided culturally and politically as many a town in the USA but come late October, differences are set aside as many hundreds dress up and come to St Armand’s Circle to celebrate Fright Night. Adults and children dress up, often very creatively. There is candy, good will and fun galore. And as Rumi recommends, I join in and feel the delight. Now I’m photographing as a participant with my costume being my T shirt with the words STREET PHOTOGRAPHER on it.
Now here is a family not afraid to have fun. So accustomed am I to parents and their precious first-born syndrome, that it was refreshing to see a young couple spoof their infant – after I realized that the real cabbage patch doll was in the stroller. My delight had to be apparent since their smiles broadened as I took in the visual joke and snapped the photo.
This picture was taken utilizing the little flash on my point and shoot. It shouldn’t have created a good image, but this time it did.
The camera was having fun too.
