NZ Visual Diary - entry 197

waiting at a red light - Queen Street

In addition to the creative challenge and joy of photography, the practice for me is an opportunity to observe people, something I love to do.

I especially enjoy watching how people comport themselves in moments of public restraint - think elevators, on sidewalks at red lights, queuing for events or waiting for public transport. Although the ubiquity of mobile phones and our addiction to them has diminished the possibility to study the postures of quiet but watchful repose and reverie, the patient photographer can still find in his fellow travellers those moments of unguarded introspection and wonder.

For this image, I stood at a street corner and waited for a red light, at which time I panned slowly to survey the flock of fellow foot fanciers. Shooting from the hip to remain undetected as a photographic voyeur, I captured an image of multiple gazes: front, back and side, both two- and four-legged sentries.