I often go through my photos too quickly, sometimes missing the little things or the deeper meaning behind them. This image is powerful to me and it was a special moment in my life.
A photograph captures a precise moment in time. Time is the only thing we have that, once spent, cannot be returned or refunded. However, spending time gives us "receipts" in the form of memories. Storytellers—musicians, painters, sculptors, poets—provide us with these memory receipts as memories later discussions with friends when we gather.
A photographer offers a tangible version of that receipt. As we age, our memories and knees tend to fade. This is what makes a photographer so special and underscores the great responsibility a photographer carries. A photographer's paramount responsibility, from an ethical standpoint, is to capture moments honestly and with context.
This allows others not only to share these moments but also to place themselves in that precise moment. The magic lies in each viewer's interpretation of the scene. This is when art becomes.
In the photo, I see a man of modest means showing respect to another man for his gift of music. Isn't the gift of music such an amazing, wonderful, powerful gift of emotion? The musician notices and acknowledges this moment. Artistically, the image might evoke a sense of a bygone era, but modern elements like the cell phone, coffee cup, and cars date the photograph.
The street walker's gesture of placing his hand on his heart is a recognized sign of respect. Among older men, this gesture holds significant power and is not given lightly. In addition, another powerful moment in this photo is the musician noticing the streetwalker and acknowledging the show of respect.
Isn't amazing how much can go on in a precise moment. Life is only a serious of very short moments and there is no return desk to get a moment back. They are all so very important, don't misuse them.
What do you see?