As most of you know from reading my posts I do enjoy spending time (and too much money) in coffee shops and I have some favorite places I patronize on a regular basis. There is something communal about these shops. I like walking in to a coffee shop and having the barista call you by name or query you as to why you weren’t in yesterday. Or, to have other coffee patrons start up conversations about their sons basketball game or test grades. Community is a good word.
They are also places for meetings. Lots of business meetings take place here. First dates. Last dates. Meeting a friend you haven’t seen on the last 10 months. I noticed this couple one morning last week and asked if I could take a few images. I wanted the silhouette effect to show their conversation and yet not let their identity be known. Some good coffee and conversation.
7 Comments
Faye
I love the comfortable scene. I love coffee… need to seek out some interesting shops.
Monte Stevens
@Faye: They are my favorite place to hangout after a walk in nature! 🙂 I just arrived at the hotel and getting ready to write.
Earl
Interesting…Her looking out the window and him staring solemnly with arms crossed adds some tension to the shot. With just the information from the body language captured in this image I’d be hard pressed to say if they were or were not enjoying each others company. However, I’m sure your observations over a longer period of time confirmed which it was. In any case, I do like the shot.
Monte Stevens
@Earl: Unfortunately after I asked them if I could take a few images the whole mood changed. I think they were just getting to know each other as if felt awkward at times. After I took a few images I did show them the results and the young man gave me his card asking if I would send him the images. I still need to do that.
Steve Skinner
I like the mystery and the unknown of the image.
Chris Klug
The whole issue of them knowing you’re capturing them and the possibility that your presence changes the dynamic is exactly where I debate with myself about asking people if I can capture their image in the first place. The part of me that wants to be courteous wants me to ask permission. The artist wants me to shoot surreptitiously to grab the moment. This image, however, works as is in a wonderful way.
Monte Stevens
Yes, that was really the case here. I did take my time so this was not the first image taken. I too, would like to take images from a distance, unnoticed and hopefully grab the moment.