Street Photographer

I finally realized what I am.

I am a street photographer.

My favorite photography blog of all times, http://www.shuttersisters.com/, had an entry (http://shuttersisters.com/home/2008/8/1/street-photography.html) last week on just such a topic. They talked about capturing a " moment, a conversation, a gesture. Beauty, eccentricity, simplicity. Joy, sadness, boredom. Small, big, exuberant or discreet" by being out among people - and not necessarily ones that you know.

Photographer Markus Hartel lived for small moments in people's lives that happen so fast and can only be captured by the quick click of a shutter. "On any given day, you’ll find Markus Hartel cruising the subways of New York City with his Leica's strap wrapped securely around his wrist, ready for action. If you walk by him, you probably won't notice as he frames his camera from the hip, then clicks, and casually turns to pan one more."

I understand where he's coming from. It's a weekly tradition of mine to visit the Fayetteville Farmer's Market on the square just for that purpose. Color, people and designs are all present. They are all at different points in their lives - be it happy or sad. I don't mean to invade their privacy or make them feel uneasy. It gives me a kind of thrill to be part of their lives, if only for an instant. Most of the time I have my 4 mega pixel camera set to auto with the flash off, carry it out in front of me and casually CLICK.

I have caught some real gems - people being completely and 100% themselves, no pretense at all. Those are the moments that I love to see.

"What kind of photographer are you, Kate?" hmm.... CHECK. Whew - at least ONE thing off my list...

May you all find out who you are - in photography and in life ;)