While I am out and about I sometimes see an image immediately drawing me home. This was one of those moments. Walking down the sidewalk I saw an unmistakable symbol of music, and my thoughts turned homeward bound. Over the last two years the ability to bring music back into the house, and into the lives of the children, through the Joyful Noise Homeschooling music program enlivened the family. Initial cat gut screatches became music I can recognize. Scales firmed up with practice. Now both older children can teach me theory I never knew. The little guy sung the Gloria at church with his two best buds with gusto this Sunday.. All very cool!

So this image made music in my lens...

I also wanted to point out something about street photography as I see it. While I was out walking a college age couple were shooting the streets. Sitting on the side walk was a mentally ill man. He was dishevelled, talking to himself incoherently, but otherwise not bothering anyone. The lady in the couple thought he made a good subject. So she switched to live view and took some hip shots of the poor soul.

Being in a public area means a photographer needs no consent to photography you. However a photographer should exercise some level of respect for the man. If the photo will be provided to people looking for him great..otherwise I worry that this is exploitation of personnel morbid curiosity. In many people's ciricles today this is just a chance to get a little self promotion on Twitter and Instangram. It is an opportunity to exploit for themselves, not elevate humanity. There are plenty of people on the street (such as street performers) who are interesting subjects, and more than willing to pose for a small tip.

If I photograph a person I have either their consent or they are doing something themselves to gain attention of passerbys. For instance in Miami I photographed a skateboarder doing flashy tricks in a highly visible area on purpose. A chef I photographed nodded yes when I asked to photograph him.

I know someone out there will say they are doing a social justice peace. I just don't buy it. If you are doing social justice work you'd also be taking him to dinner.

With all that said...have a great night and PRAISE God!

-ehw

PS For you techies this is the Fujifilm X-E1 with 23mm at 1/210, F8 ISO 800. I used the film simulation of Velvia and applied a slight crop, small sharpening effect and vingette blur in Nik Snapseed. My 23mm F1.4 is my current favorite Fuji lens...and it really wants a 56mm in the stable next to it!