I dug into my archives again this week and came up with a couple shots I took on one of my street photography adventures in downtown Philly back in 1971.
When I saw this image again after all this time, the first thing that jumped into my head was “grumpy old ladies.” Then again every person in this photo looks kind of glum. The lady with the cane looks downright mean. I probably got out of the way after this shot because that lady might have hit me upside my head with her cane.
The lady with the hat, glasses and gloves is giving John “the look” here, a look that could burn holes in a person. She’s none too happy either. I like the way the stout woman walking away from me balances out the image.
It’s fun digging out these old images. When I was making these trips and taking photos on the streets I had never heard the term street photography, I simply had some fun with my camera out on the streets.
I really got started with street photography on the streets of Saigon back in 1966 when I wandered about with my camera taking pictures of subjects that interested me. My street photography days are over now. I don’t live in the city and people are touchier about such things these days.
These are good! I completely agree about the lady with the cane, but the one with hat and glasses in the second shot looks rather quizzical: “What is that crazy boy over there doing with that camera? Doesn’t he know enough to keep going, rather than stop in the crosswalk? What IS the world coming to?” LOL
Have a wonderful weekend!
These are both great shots. I was in high school in 1971 so its a flash from my past for me. They do look mighty grumpy.
These are two great street photographs in their own right, but the look back in time is mesmerizing! The true magic of Photography…
Two great street photos from you here!
How alarming. Like being mown down by Zombies!
Everyone is looking so determined and un-stoppable.
I’m perplexed by these photos in that they don’t fit my memories of the time. Was it the town / the day / a world event / a convention about something serious that gave these people such a uniformity of expression and sense of purpose.
Fascinating.
Lucy
What I find odd about the woman in the second shot is that she has black gloves, in the summer? No wonder she’s grumpy 🙂 Florsheim shoes bring back memories.
I like street photography, but I do not often go to the city. When I do, I use a wide angle, auto exposure, and act as nonchalantly as I can. I’ve thought a micro 4/3 camera would be great for street photography, small and discreet with interchangeable lenses.
The world was different then, but it hardly explains those faces. Terrifying!
Funny how we can have idiosyncratic responses to photographs. To me the people in your first photo look preoccupied, not angry. I’m amused by the bold prints on the dresses of the old women. Really helps to date the era. It makes me a little sad to realize that every person in that photo is likely now dead. I get the same reaction when I run across old yearbooks and old photos in antique stores. Probably because it reminds me of my own mortality.
Are people really touchier these days about being photographed on the street? It seems to me that the younger people at least are almost exhibitionist and invite attention, if not photographers. Maybe not.
I guess one purpose of art is to stimulate dialogue.
I love these old street shots! It’s strange how people seemed so much older back then.