Sometimes the perfect photo shots serendipitously come to us.
Years and years ago one of my brothers gifted me with a "magic camera". Far more expensive than one I would have invested in on my own. A so-called idiot proof, point and click one. A beautiful, small -- seriously small -- sleek Olympus with a remarkable zoom lens which retracted and nested behind a sturdy sliding silver cover. That camera served me well.
I had it fixed three times over the years -- and not cheaply -- with a camera repair place on the lower east side. It was a pilgrimage to get there. Like taking a friend to the hospital. That camera gave me such pleasure. The last time it failed me I finally surrendered that it wasn't going to get better.
That camera fit nicely into the side pocket of my knapsack. When I first began carrying it around with me I would forget I had it. Finally, one day upon seeing one of those perfect once in a blue moon photo ops, I began to mourn, "If only I had a camera right now!" Suddenly, reality got through. "WAIT A MINUTE! I DO!!!"
So it began. I slipped it out of its knapsack pocket, slid open the lens cover and clicked away. I clicked away a lot. They say Babe Ruth was the king of both strikeouts as well as homeruns. I took my photo wisdom from that. I defied the Purtian ethic/Depression era frugality messaging particularly of my Dad (back before the digital camera when every pic cost) and became a picture taking fool. It was a delicious habit and NYC, as another brother declares, is the "biggest free show in the world!." It was also a precious travelling companion, particularly on planes. Why would anyone not request an aisle seat, for heaven's sake? Let's just say I've looked at clouds from both sides now!
I am pretty shy as well as respectful about shooting human beings with a camera, especially close up. The zoom lens made me a little bolder and, admittedly, slyer. Sometimes, despite the zoom, I would not go for the shot out of a respect for a person's privacy. Or I would stay way too far back and lose the energy and focus. I wish I were bolder with people as a photographer. Even asking a person if they'd mind me taking a picture would help. People will often oblige a sincere and earnest request.
I went through a long period of noting and shooting reflections of skyscrapers -- or anything -- on other skyscrapers on my NYC walkabouts. I filled an entire album at one point. I finally did slow down -- never quit -- on that particular obsession. When I began to focus on reflected skyscrapers on car windows and clicking away at them, I noticed people were far less dazzled with my offerings, exhibiting more confusion and concern.
Anyway, the little, on-call camera made me proactive and responsive. Such a gift. Like having that proverbial V8, as the commercial used to pitch. So instead of slapping my forehead later in regret, I had my metaphorical V8 by nailing a visual moment!
One quick story. The most serendipitous of all my photo op moments occurred one Sunday mid morning late summer. I had worked the word-processing vampire shift at a midtown law firm. Just before leaving, a coworker, coming in for her shift, had shared how worried she was about her dad. He was about to have an operation. I don't know how the thread of our conversation arrived there, but my friend shared that her dad's favorite actress of all time was Valerie Perrine. He had even named one of his daughters Valerie!
As I dragged my way eastward and homeward I decided to catch the 6 subway train under Grand Central Station. It was a gorgeously sunny morning to walk (and take pictures) but I was dog-tired.
As I was approaching the back Vanderbilt entrance to the station I saw an attractive, slender, blonde-haired woman negotiating some luggage as well as her magnificent dog, a setter if I remember correctly, toward an open-trunked car service limo. I gasped. NO WAY!!!! THAT COULD NOT BE HER. VALERIE PERRINE!!!
I shook my head trying to dislodge such an improbability. I have to admit it was a tad scary, the very idea of it being her. Surreal. It sure did look like her.
I couldn't let the occasion pass. I had to know. I motioned to her and asked if she were indeed the actress. She nodded and smiled.
"We were just talking about you at my office!" I declared. I drew in a deep breath and girded myself. I never would have asked to take her picture for my own sake. I thought of my friend's dad. I explained quickly to her his history of adoration and his circumstances.
She was a good sport. She quickly froze into a lovely, smiling pose as I scrambled for the camera, slid the zoom cover open and clicked fast -- faster than a speeding bullet, in fact. Then the gracious and lovely Ms. Perrine turned back to tending to her life and I turned to pondering such phenomenal serendipity.
I ask you???!!!
When I gave a copy of the actress's picture to my friend at work later in the week she was pleased for her dad's sake, but it frustrated me she refused to be as astonished as I had been at such an awesome coincidence. (Maybe her sister Valerie would have been?)
ANYWAY, after all that, here are a few of my pics I consider "right-time/right-place shots!
[Somewhere in my home is a copy of that Valerie Perrine pic. It would be terrific if I could find it and share it now. Un-serendipitously I cannot. As soon as I do, I will repost this blog one more time and lead with that pic! Promise!]
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