THE RUBBERBAND MAN

THE RUBBERBAND MAN, originally uploaded by joewig.

This is one of my favorite shots because it's so common in NYC but so difficult to capture. During the usual hustle and bustle, some people are invariably rude and obnoxious, while others are kind and forgiving; fortunately opposites tend to run into each other. News is made when two of the first order run into each other

This man has graciously moved aside--bending like a willow tree in the rain--to let this harried woman get by who--mind you--has her bag strapped over her shoulder clutched tightly to her side out of fear that someone might snatch it (God forbid). You can tell she's not really as mean as her actions make her seem by her two-step.

While the dance is caught here for all to see, they never even took the time to find out each other's name.

"I'm in a New York state of mind"....

PUSHING MY BAG OF BOTTLES

PUSHING MY BAG OF BOTTLES, originally uploaded by joewig.

Almost a year ago I shot this gentleman while he was in line to collect some cash for his trash (bottles and can--my how time flies) and looking at it again is still heart wrenching. Not that I look to take shots like this--I don't--but this is the reality of living in NYC--for some people, this is a way of life and my street photography would be remiss if I deleted scenes like this. They are part of the reality around us, has been and will probably continue to be for some time considering no one really cares enough to make a difference for people like him.

His eyes are empty because he's been living on automatic pilot. This is the way he is living his life and he hasn't found another way to survive. I won't make conjectures on his lifestyle or what preceded him doing this, but where he is isn't a good place to be. Pushing his bag of bottles to get loose change is--for the moment--the most honest way he's found he can acquire the money to support himself.

God bless him and equip him to step out from under his bag of bottles and find a better way because there is a better way.

TAKE US TO THE PARTY!

TAKE US TO THE PARTY!, originally uploaded by joewig.

Or rather to the partay!!! They were on their way somewhere in a hurry. Couldn't see where they headed because I saw the moment and wanted to make sure I caught. They weren't loud, just a little raucous and in the mood for some fun. Where would they be going at lunch time to have a partay, I wonder? Maybe they just "enjoy their jobs". LOL

JOKING AROUND

JOKING AROUND, originally uploaded by joewig.

This takes me way way back to my college days. I guess I would have been the skinny on the right with the some of the hair of the one on the left. (What a combo).

I'm not saying my college days were a breeze--who's were?--but I found time to enjoy just hanging out with my friends between classes or during breaks. Fortunately I never lost my desire to laugh. My wife says that it's one of the reasons she was drawn into my life. There's so much drama in most of our lives, it takes someone special to be able to enjoy a good laugh in the midst of it. (I never looked at it that way. Although I am a serious, I learned not to take myself too seriously or it would weigh down my very spirit.

Can't have that can we?

HAVING A GOOD OLE TIME

HAVING A GOOD OLE TIME, originally uploaded by joewig.

When I saw this guy, I wasn't in the laughing mood he was, but once I examined the scene here, I saw that it was actually a reminder for me not to take myself and this life I’m living so seriously. He was having a good ole time all by himself. If he could find joy in the state he is in, I should be able to find so much more.

No matter what the state we find ourselves in--count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

That’s a good word to live by. He is, and doesn’t even know it yet cause he’s too busy having a good ole time.

NO MORE LEFT (DARE TO CARE?)

NO MORE LEFT (DARE TO CARE?), originally uploaded by joewig.

As I was about to cross the street, I noticed a figure to my left. He was motionless. I wondered whether I should take a quick grab shot now that my lunchtime street shooting session was over and it was time to get back to my desk.

The traffic light changed and he hadn't moved. The light changed again and he remained in the same position.

On this day, I felt like he looked. I was dragging and tired. Why? I was having a bad week of shooting. The images I was getting didn’t have the depth I thought they should. Everything seemed so typically ordinary.

My woes were pathetic compared to his.

I decided to take a few shots. He suddenly sank further down to the ground, but he didn’t touch it. He popped back into this position. Twice. I crossed the street and looked back, trying to remember where I’d seen that behavior. Heroin addicts behave like this. What was his story?

I ultimately decided to show this image because his head’s facing down. He couldn’t possibly get any lower than he was. The only viable way out of this is up. I pray he finds it. I hope someone cares enough to help him get there.

YOUNG LION

YOUNG LION, originally uploaded by joewig.

Just wanted to be able to capture a photo of this young man. At the time I was in a hurry and not too concerned with getting a perfect shot (when I'm too conscious about "getting the shot" in this kind of environment, I end up missing the moment). This was at a protest rally. In retrospect, I should have spoken to him, but lunchtime was over and I had to get back to work.

I hadn't seen this "look" in over three decades. To watch history repeat itself was disconcerting. But I was in awe. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. No, it wasn't myself I was seeing, but the attitude of the 60's and 70's: let it all hang out.

So has he.

SEE YOU, NOT SEE YOU

SEE YOU, NOT SEE YOU, originally uploaded by joewig.

She had the deepest look in her eyes-- as though she wanted to see what I was doing, but not wanting me to know that she was looking.

I was discovered, but what I discovered was far more haunting than I would understand at the time. Looking at this image afresh I am pulled into it like a drowing man is pulled to inhale fresh air into his lungs. Did I actually take this picture? It looks so touchingly beautiful that I w0uld want to admire it as a work someone did so I can ooh and ahh, (but I took the shot and so I cannot.)

Amazing.

I come back to this image again to gaze and wonder what is it that I saw, but didn't see until I started seeing what I should have seen when I shot it.

Amazing.