On April 14th, 2010, I decided to get on the subway and go to Union Square to get a few shots of the people that skateboard out there. Little did I know that the Police had everything on smash and the City of New York posted signs up that said "No Skateboarding"!!! How pissed was I??? I guess it's been so long since I've hung out in that area that I had no idea what was going on there now. So here I am, stuck on 14th St watching people eat outside on their lunch breaks and the society which is overindulged in their electronics (i.e. cell phones, laptops, mp3 players, etc...).
What I found amazingly funny is that even though there were tons of people out there taking photos (journalists, tourists, professionals, amateurs), I'm the one that get's looked at like I shouldn't have a big ass camera around my neck? Maybe because I wasn't dressed like I was on my way to a rock concert or probably because I didn't have on a "I Love New York" T-Shirt. I don't know what it is about being myself that people don't understand, but it's time to stop judging a book by it's cover!
Fresh kicks, mean denim and a fly ass jacket does not mean that I'm scared to get in the grass or dirt and take a picture. A hobby or profession doesn't manifest from what kind of clothing a person has on. But it should derive from the mindset of the individual; the place in his/her mind that yearns for something to do that makes them happy. It comes from years of searching and paying attention to what intrigues you and finally getting off of your ass to say "I'm gonna do that".
I was highly disappointed that I didn't get to take any pictures of skateboarders. However, I did find out that there is talent all over the city and tried to use that as my muse for the afternoon. I had fun... I guess...
