I’m trying to break a habit.
When I’m on my way somewhere, I may as well not be carrying a camera. Focussed on my goal, I rarely see what I could be photographing, and if I do, I usually talk myself out of doing it.
Although I was on my way somewhere, seeing these two, well, how could I not?
Admittedly this was a low photo day; too much getting ready for a weekend away, and the getting away itself. But there’s an attractive romance about a train, not to mention the punchy Deutsche Bahn red, the lines, and the reflections.
Getting off work I was hell bent on getting down to the river and getting some good pictures. And it just. Wasn’t. Happening. Then a friend called, and while relaxing and talking, I turned around and saw this.
The “Dom” is a huge seasonal carnival here in Hamburg, and while wandering around aimlessly, with no clear idea of what to photograph, I remembered it. Excellent! Where could be better to shoot than a crazy carnival full of flashing lights and excited people?
What I didn’t know was that a few days earlier, the Dom had ended for the summer. Instead of going home disappointed, I hunted pictures of the carnies packing up. This one lonely stand was still lit up, and the guy on the left wobbled into my frame, and I went home happy.
The Hamburger Dom (which has nothing to do with ground beef or deviant sexual behaviour) was officially closed, but I went anyway to see what I could see. This trailer was lit up so strangely I decided to shoot it – technically a pretty boring picture. Just after I pressed the shutter release, this lady stepped out, I punched it again, and she even smiled at me as I lowered by camera.
Some days you just couldn’t be bothered going out to shoot, and then the sky says, “just what the hell do you think you’re doing lounging around on your balcony?” and, “go get your camera, fool. Now.”
What better way to kick things off than with a friend? Thomas here is one of my favourites.
