Street Photography: Rockefeller Center

It’s good to be familiar with an area. I know where the action is likely to be. I have a sense of how best to position myself in a stealthy manner. It can make for a more relaxed experience.

After a while, though, the routine can also sap away inspiration. When that happens, it’s time for a change.

Times Square is my usual haunt. But if I’m not vigilant, I can end up taking the same type of photograph over and over again. So I decided to walk through Rockefeller Center.

It’s not as chaotic and crazy as Times Square, so I wasn’t sure what subject matter I would encounter that would make for an interesting photograph. I certainly did not want to come away with typical touristy shots.

So I knew I would have to observe the surroundings more intently. But that’s fine. It’s the new challenge I was seeking.

That’s when I came across this scene. I was originally only wanting to photograph the shadow. But then this fellow walked right in oblivious that he was in my line of fire. He was engrossed with his smartphone.

I waited thinking he would just keep walking past. But, no. He stopped right there puzzling over his GPS. Just at the point I was starting to get annoyed, two thoughts came to mind. If you’re going to stand there, then I’m not going to make any pretense. I’m going to take my time composing the image and getting in a couple of shots.

The other thought was that I had seen something like this before. I can’t remember where, but I recall seeing a comic strip or some magazine cartoon showing the subject doing something innocuous,but his shadow pantomimed his true devious intentions.

Like the cartoon, this scene was also funny. But rather than being dark, it was heroic. Perhaps it was foreshadowing the moments ahead when our hapless tourist victoriously found his destination.

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