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My street photography model got me thinking
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Jun 9, 2021 12:45:19   #
daldds Loc: NYC
 
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it attracts a lot of attention.
I met John walking on the Esplanade here in NYC soon after sunrise, as he was quietly and very competently serenading the empty benches on either side.
When I asked him if it was OK to shoot, he said yes, provided that I sat down and had a conversation with him. He had something he wanted to say.
John is 59 years old and practically blind. His cataract surgery is scheduled in two weeks. (He is in desperate need of some dentistry also.) He claims that, even though his vision is so poor, he can tell when people are photographing him. He doesn’t mind, but considers it far more polite to ask permission first.

We spent about 45 minutes talking about music, baseball, and memories, the topic that dominated the first several minutes of our chat. Actually chat is not the right word…it was more of a monologue.
He claims that people today are so busy taking photographs with their phones that they do not take the time to lock whatever it is they are photographing into their memories, that they do not appreciate it enough to remember it.

Made me think, by golly.

I took about 50 photographs, enjoying every minute of it. The first photograph is my first photograph. The others are in no particular order.


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Jun 9, 2021 12:49:08   #
Abo
 
Cool

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Jun 9, 2021 13:09:39   #
Kletzentono
 
I think you did the right thing by talking with him Probably this made his day as you treated him as a real person. Kudos to you.

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Jun 9, 2021 13:26:57   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
Nice! As a guitar aficionado, I like the guitar he's playing. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like it might be a Guild. Any idea (if you have any shots with the headstock, that would tell).

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Jun 9, 2021 13:48:08   #
daldds Loc: NYC
 
Just Fred wrote:
Nice! As a guitar aficionado, I like the guitar he's playing. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like it might be a Guild. Any idea (if you have any shots with the headstock, that would tell).


No shots, but you are correct.

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Jun 9, 2021 14:25:10   #
luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC
 
All the photos are wonderful and show what a really cool person he is but I think #1 is my favorite. Of them all #1 tells me more about him and makes me want to sit down and talk with him. Well done!!!

Dodie

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Jun 9, 2021 14:55:08   #
flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT
 
Just Fred wrote:
Nice! As a guitar aficionado, I like the guitar he's playing. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like it might be a Guild. Any idea (if you have any shots with the headstock, that would tell).

It says Greg Bennett on the head. I did a little web search and it appears to be Gregg Bennett jazz guitar, model JZ4, by Samick...a Korean company.

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Jun 9, 2021 15:07:35   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
daldds wrote:
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it attracts a lot of attention.
I met John walking on the Esplanade here in NYC soon after sunrise, as he was quietly and very competently serenading the empty benches on either side.
When I asked him if it was OK to shoot, he said yes, provided that I sat down and had a conversation with him. He had something he wanted to say.
John is 59 years old and practically blind. His cataract surgery is scheduled in two weeks. (He is in desperate need of some dentistry also.) He claims that, even though his vision is so poor, he can tell when people are photographing him. He doesn’t mind, but considers it far more polite to ask permission first.

We spent about 45 minutes talking about music, baseball, and memories, the topic that dominated the first several minutes of our chat. Actually chat is not the right word…it was more of a monologue.
He claims that people today are so busy taking photographs with their phones that they do not take the time to lock whatever it is they are photographing into their memories, that they do not appreciate it enough to remember it.

Made me think, by golly.

I took about 50 photographs, enjoying every minute of it. The first photograph is my first photograph. The others are in no particular order.
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it ... (show quote)


Good for you, by asking permission and talking to him you made him a person and not just a subject.

Reply
Jun 9, 2021 15:22:41   #
daldds Loc: NYC
 
flip1948 wrote:
It says Greg Bennett on the head. I did a little web search and it appears to be Gregg Bennett jazz guitar, model JZ4, by Samick...a Korean company.


Old ears, I guess. heard his reply differently.

Reply
Jun 9, 2021 15:29:09   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
daldds wrote:
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it attracts a lot of attention.
I met John walking on the Esplanade here in NYC soon after sunrise, as he was quietly and very competently serenading the empty benches on either side.
When I asked him if it was OK to shoot, he said yes, provided that I sat down and had a conversation with him. He had something he wanted to say.
John is 59 years old and practically blind. His cataract surgery is scheduled in two weeks. (He is in desperate need of some dentistry also.) He claims that, even though his vision is so poor, he can tell when people are photographing him. He doesn’t mind, but considers it far more polite to ask permission first.

We spent about 45 minutes talking about music, baseball, and memories, the topic that dominated the first several minutes of our chat. Actually chat is not the right word…it was more of a monologue.
He claims that people today are so busy taking photographs with their phones that they do not take the time to lock whatever it is they are photographing into their memories, that they do not appreciate it enough to remember it.

Made me think, by golly.

I took about 50 photographs, enjoying every minute of it. The first photograph is my first photograph. The others are in no particular order.
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it ... (show quote)


An excellent experience for both of you

Reply
Jun 9, 2021 20:05:04   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
flip1948 wrote:
It says Greg Bennett on the head. I did a little web search and it appears to be Gregg Bennett jazz guitar, model JZ4, by Samick...a Korean company.

Great detective work! I don't know how you made out the name; you must have the eyes of an eagle!

From what I can tell, they are no longer made, but those who have played them seem to like them. They are modestly priced, if you can find one.

https://gregbennettguitars.com/guitars/electric/lasalle-series/jz4/

Reply
 
 
Jun 10, 2021 06:25:37   #
Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis
 
daldds wrote:
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it attracts a lot of attention.
I met John walking on the Esplanade here in NYC soon after sunrise, as he was quietly and very competently serenading the empty benches on either side.
When I asked him if it was OK to shoot, he said yes, provided that I sat down and had a conversation with him. He had something he wanted to say.
John is 59 years old and practically blind. His cataract surgery is scheduled in two weeks. (He is in desperate need of some dentistry also.) He claims that, even though his vision is so poor, he can tell when people are photographing him. He doesn’t mind, but considers it far more polite to ask permission first.

We spent about 45 minutes talking about music, baseball, and memories, the topic that dominated the first several minutes of our chat. Actually chat is not the right word…it was more of a monologue.
He claims that people today are so busy taking photographs with their phones that they do not take the time to lock whatever it is they are photographing into their memories, that they do not appreciate it enough to remember it.

Made me think, by golly.

I took about 50 photographs, enjoying every minute of it. The first photograph is my first photograph. The others are in no particular order.
This is John and his “Beast,” so named because it ... (show quote)


A great set of images plus a great story
It's just polite to ask!!!
But sometimes performers don't what to be disturbed, so when I do street photography I play it by "ear"

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Jun 10, 2021 07:45:45   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 

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Jun 10, 2021 07:50:16   #
Dannj
 
I always ask...and drop a couple a bucks in their case, bucket, etc.. A lot of these folks have great stories to tell.

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Jun 10, 2021 08:13:43   #
yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey
 

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