Speckled Handball
I was taking a workshop taught by the legendary photographer, Jay Maisel. Each day, we were sent out to photograph. On this particular day, I had hit a low point. Sometimes, photography can be frustrating; you can't see things in a new and different way. I sat on a bench in Soho for a long time and watched these kids play handball. At one point, the late afternoon sun hit the chain link fence in front of me in such a way, that these highlights appeared on the fence. It's amazing how light can be so inspiring. I decided to accentuate the highlights and use them as a screen in front of the handball court. Hitting a low point, or failing, often helps you create something good. I was so happy to hear and see Jay's reaction to this photograph. He studied it and slowly started to clap his hands. He said he'd photographed that handball court a hundred times, but never saw it this way. Professional photographers, including Jay, have taught me -- show people something they haven't seen before.
Soho, New York, NY. September 2010.