Wednesday, December 20th, 2006
Virginia, 2004.
Someone actually took the time to cut out these letters and paste them to the door. I dig that. We need more of that in the world.
A few doors down from this bank I walked into a barber shop. It had just one old guy in it at the back... I assume he was the shop owner waiting for a customer to walk in on this very slow, hot day. I had my bulky SLR camera around my neck and asked him if I could take a photo of him in his shop.
His place was absolutely pristine... The ideal 50's barber shop. It was so amazing... It had the rotating barber pole... nice polished black and white checkered floor... about 6 different hair-cutting stations (3 on either side of the room against the two main mirrored walls) with combs submerged in that blue-green goo... all the seats were vacant (and likely had been for some time)... everything was outlined in gleaming chrome.
He slowly raised his 70-year-old head from his newspaper, scowled a wonderful deep-wrinkled scowl, and shook his head, "Photos? I'm not interested in any of that."
"Would you mind if I just took a couple quick photos of your shop then? I'll make sure you're not in the frame at all."
"No thanks... not interested."
"Well... I certainly appreciate your honesty, sir. I'll be on my way. Have a good one!"
"You too, son. Good luck."
In retrospect I think I should have gotten to know him a little better before going in for the "can I take your photo" bit. He deserved more than that.
chantal stone said:
1871 days ago
wow Brandon, not only a great a photographer, but so polite too!
and you're right...not enough things done by hand these days....love this photo :)
Robert said:
1863 days ago
nice little detail, the purple tone reminds me of photos taken on old colour film
puja said:
1841 days ago
if i were to cut out the letters... my 'E' would have probably been backwards
Mark said:
1815 days ago
Brandon, I had the same experience with an owner of a radiator repair shop. Each morning, I'd see him placing radiators and such out on the sidewalk in front of his shop. He had some neon letters up and the whole place looked really nice, in a homemade sort of way. I'd see him back away and look at the place, just like he was saying "there, just perfect". So, I stopped and introduced myself, told where I worked and that photography was a hobby, that I admired his place, and would love to take a photograph. I offered an 8x10 and a file worthy of advertisement. Nope, he said- I'd rather not, then turned around and walked off. I hadn't even got up the nerve to ask for his photo yet. In retrospect, I should have taken one from the road first.
Anyway, sure puts a damper on the photography spirit for awhile after that. I think folks are generally distrustful and believe that there's always another motive. I've gotten the idea that I'll print up a book of photographs, properly bound from somewhere like Lulu so that I'll have some credibility and a way to begin a conversation. In Gary Gladstone's second volume of portraits, he said that worked for him.
Nice photograph here- pictures of doors are my specialty. They rarely say no. :)
Ben said:
1735 days ago
You shoulda got a haircut first. Old guys like that are business. Remember, like the sign says, sometimes you have to \"push to open\" people, too, but there are unconventional ways to do it. Good post, interesting analysis.
micki said:
1871 days ago
I like this post, it's a heartwarming theme throughout. The cut out letters, the old fashioned barber shop with the cut-to-the-chase owner and the lesson you learned. All three elements tied together to make for the good post today.