Drive Thru II Photo

Photographer’s Note

For those troubled by the first incarnation of this title, a cluttered urban scene with cars, signals, street lamps, signs all over the place, I offer a simpler composition that speaks to the same point. Not only can one buy food without leaving the car, one can get one's morning latte as well.

This is Java Hut, a new chain of small kiosks that cater to these busy folks. Two young women are working inside to boil the milk and brew the expresso coffee for the customers waiting in their cars. There are only two in line at this moment, though I've seen much longer lines. You will note a display of Marin Independent Journal newspapers to the immediate left of the small kiosk. You can grab a coffee and newspaper and be on your way. I hope they're not intending to read while they drive!!! ;-)

Rinie_Hoff, Porteplume, eleparc, pamastro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

eleparc (24059) 2005-02-26 3:50

thank you curtis for this daily scene. I still find it deeply depressing to see that your folk can no longer walk and have to do everything in a car.. no wonder 1/3 of the population is obese and another third is overweight.. nothing personal Curtis, you know i appreciate your comments and your work. just sharing my immediate reaction on this shot! thanks anyway!

Porteplume (3255) 2005-02-26 3:54

Quite balanced composition, even - or may be due to - the repartition in two half in precisely the middle. Car versus food store. Outside vs Inside. People want to be fast - or they must - but walking has become a minimum.

I wish you had made a longer note, I'm always waiting for it nowerdays... :o)

* I really hope my English is not too bad to be understood, I try but it's not easy expressing what I mean about your unusual photography and notes.

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2005-02-26 4:06

Or have their coffee too hot. We all know what can be the effect of that. Long lawsuits, and large sums of money.
I like the composition this way, Curtis. Tight and straight, half of this, half of that. The long arm of the girl coming in to the frame is funny, as if it's just a loose limb. Very nice winter light. And a European car.
Yes, it's too bad that people can't take time to park their car, and enjoy their coffee at a table.

I guess this was the full extend of your lens. I miss the (extra) information lately, Curtis, no shutterspeed, no aperture, no focal length.
Enjoy your weekend.

sandip (3492) 2005-02-26 7:28

yes ofcourse i'll go with your note. Such a nice morning with very simple composition. I liked the lady on the car looking at you and a helping hand to make the coffee (may be) faster.thanks Curtis.

pamastro (7213) 2005-02-27 20:03

Wow, coffee drive through now, too. I'm sure we'll be seeing that here soon enough. This composition works very well. Having half the car and the stand as they are gives a nice focus on the exchange. The look on the driver's face also goes along well here. It seems almost blank and devoid of life. Perhaps sucked away by the existence that has made such drive thrus a part of life. Everything is rush rush rush now and that takes its toll. The "On Demand World" as they say in the IBM commercials. It makes me want to start or find a local chapter of the Slow Food Movement.