Serendipity

August 28, 2008

Sometimes the best photos are ones you almost miss because you’re looking the wrong way.

Tonight, I was under a tight deadline. The concert got a late start, and all of my attention was on the stage- trying to make sure I got something usable, so I could cut out and head to the newsroom to process the images and get them into the layout before going to press.

My head was so much into what was going on under the lights on stage that I almost missed this scene. I was chimping the screen on the back of my camera, and turned away from the concert to get a better look. I happened to look up and spied this older couple slow dancing out in the foyer. Everyone’s eyes were on the performers, but these two were in their own little world.

I felt like I was invading a very private, intimate moment, but I loved the fact that these folks stepped out of the hall, found a little open space, and danced to music that had been in their wedding almost 40 years ago. I got a few shots in unobserved, but I moved in closer, and made eye contact with both of them. They didn’t seem to mind, so I snapped off a few more frames, just enjoying watching them enjoying each other.

This may not be a technically perfect image, in terms of composition and framing and lighting, but I love the emotion in it, the sense of intimacy. I just hope I’m sneaking out of concerts to dance with my wife in 40 years!

[See another angle here.]

Posted in Black and White, Life