Hyper Drive

I did 4 assignments in one day and they were spaced out all over the peninsula. I logged about 200 miles that day and still managed to get all my work done. Skipping lunch, driving fast and praying for no traffic you realize that there are not many people cut out for this job. I can meet strangers and make them my best friend in 5 minutes with a camera, but without it I stumble over every word and feel awkward.

On the River

I am photographing an attorney that had once won $26,840 on Jeopardy and has now returned from playing in the World Poker Tour. He won his original $10,000 back, but was already on a sponsored satellite program so he was ahead about $9,800. I start talking poker with him and he recommends I read Phil Gordon's "Little Green Book." He jots it down on a post-it note and I leave the building thinking I wish I could win money and not even care.

Snapshots on a Train

Coming back from an assignment downtown I am tired and feeling burned-out. I notice a small old lady staring at me. She is wearing a berkeleyesque outfit and upon taking a second glance I notice a Leica M6 dangling from her neck. In case you don’t know, a Leica isn’t cheap, in fact it was considered the best 35mm rangefinder on the planet and probably still is. We exchange looks back and forth and I try to smile at her, but she doesn’t return the gesture. I think maybe she might be an older, famous photographer and I should go talk with her, but since she didn’t appear to be friendly I don’t.

Before my stop, I stand up to let elderly people have my seat and I go stand by the door. My sunglasses are on my head and my camera is hanging on my shoulder. I notice Old Lady Leica trying to pre-focus on me without putting the camera to her face. She looks up at me and I smile knowingly and she realizes she’s been caught and her face turns sour. I exit the train thinking I should of told her it was OK to shoot my photo.