Taking Chances

The power of photography is immense. In a global sense, we can affect life with a single still image. The magnitude of that is incredible. On a personal level, we can impact our lives with a single still image. The significance of that is enlightening. On Saturday morning, while leading a Photo Walk in Boston, I made this candid portrait while leaving Haymarket. I am not suggesting this is a great photograph, but how it came to be has resonated with me far beyond the image itself. As we headed toward the parking garage, the class concluded, I noticed this man sitting in a car, slouched against the door, chewing his cigar. He looked as gruff as could be. What a character! Walking by his car, I knew I should stop and ask to take his portrait. I had to take a chance. Approaching with a smile, I told him how great he looked with his cigar and asked to take a quick photo of him. With an even bigger smile, he happily agreed. Any gruffness I perceived dissolved immediately. Most likely, it never existed, but made a good excuse to walk past him. I made a few quick compositions, shook his hand, and thanked him for his time. He gripped my hand tightly and said it made his day that "someone would notice an old man". It was a sweet moment for both of us. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. No, this is not an award-winning photograph, but this image reminds me that in 2025, I need to take more chances. I must follow my instincts and trust the journey more than worry about the outcome. We all do.

Photograph What You Feel

Fuji XT-5

Fujinon 56mm f1.2 Lens

ISO: 1600

APT: f1.2

EXP: 1/3800th of a Second Hand Held