Photos

Dominique mentioned in critiquing a recent photograph of mine that he has a theme for photos that include a reflection of the photographer. I decided to post this silly concoction to give him something to add to his theme. The photo was taken a short while after the photos I posted the last two days of two men who found different ways to support themselves in personally troubling times.

No doubt viewers will recognize this as part of an automatic teller machine (ATM) at a bank. The mirror is intended to offer customers a bit of security. I guess the curved mirror will warn the customer if someone with larceny in their heart is approaching. I can promise you that I had no such intention as I approached this machine. I was struck by the possibilities offered by the mirror photographically. Of course, how could I possibly avoid including myself in such a photo? Obviously I couldn't. I apologize to everyone except Dominique... ;-)

I chose the title Bus Stop because there is one directly behind my shoulder as I take this photo. The woman at the curb is standing at the bus stop, in fact. To appreciate the meaning of public transportation in the United States, you need to understand that practically everyone owns a car. Families often have more than one car, one for the father, one for the mother and one for the teenage son or daughter. So, when a person uses the often rudimentary and underfunded bus systems in most American cities, they do so out of necessity. Using the bus to go to work, to do shopping, to meet friends for entertainment, is a major undertaking. There is no taking advantage of freeways for these folks. They wait for the bus, wait to make a transfer and walk long distances to reach bus stops. Many patrons are among the working poor of this country. They may not be asking for a handout on the street, but they're often far removed from the dream of owning a car like the rest of their compatriots.