Siesta Key, Beach Pyramid
“Think lucky, be lucky.”
— Matt Steward
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Almost twenty years ago, I read a gentle novel by George Shaffner, titled In the Land of Second Chances. I never gave this book a second thought until this day. I had paused to offer directions to an elderly woman. By the time I reached the pavilion on the beach, a three-tier pyramid of girls had just begun breaking down. Darn, a missed opportunity for a terrific shot. If only I hadn’t paused to give directions to a lost soul. In the land of second chances, I’d be given a second chance. This became an earworm, In the land of second chances, I would get a second chance. In the land of second chances……In the land of second chances……
A little later I saw the girls in the distance at the water’s edge. They were creating a another pyramid. I set off at a brisk pace. Now I found myself repeating a different refrain. It was from a book of photography written by Matt Steward, Think lucky, be lucky. Think lucky, be lucky. Think lucky……… I picked up the pace and focused my attention on covering the distance quickly. Once I arrived and plonked myself on the sand camera in hand, I hit another snag. The girls were nervous with me photographing them, their instructor informed me. Goldie by now had arrived and called out to her not to worry, I was a street photographer.
The girls, relieved, instantly turned and flashed me V signs and happy smiles. I had my photos.
Alex Webb said that street photography is 99% about failure so one needs optimism and persistence to be a successful photographer. Particularly in these tortured times, we need some hope, some positive connection, some justice. That day, creation seemed to smile on me.
