This is one of my favorite photos. It's not a "hit and run." I've known this guy for a long time because for the last twenty years he's worked at my friend's bakery. This is from his early years there. He started as a dishwasher. He's been a master baker for a long time.
One day, many years ago, my friend the bakery owner asked me to make fun images of everyone who worked at the bakery. We talked about how to shoot them and she told me that she liked my style of black and white, environmental stuff. Shooting unconstricted, with one or two lights and an open agenda, is my favorite way to go.
I walked into their big, bustling kitchen and the first thing I did was walk around and tell each person, individually, what I was doing and what we were trying to get out of it. I had an ulterior motive. I wanted to taste a little bit of what everyone was making. This bakery is still famous for their Pennsylvania Dutch Chocolate Cakes, Tollhouse cookies and wonderful croissant.
I was working with a Mamiya 6 camera that day. I bounced one Metz 54 flash off the ceiling. We talked and kidded around as I worked. It was over too soon.
Hot coffee. Buttery croissant. A warm and engaged subject. No wonder I like doing this...
