The Extroverted Loner. Photographing people on the streets of Austin. With an awkward choice of gear?

 

After the obligatory selfie these ladies grabbed a friend and asked her

to photography their group. I asked if it would be okay if I snapped a 

photo as well. They were happy to accommodate.

After days of rain and gray skies the sun finally came out yesterday to buoy up spirits and start the drying out process. The Farmer's Almanac says we in Texas will have a cooler and wetter Spring. And a warmer and wetter Summer. One waits with trepidation for the onset of oppressive heat and humidity...

After a week off from photographing willy-nilly in Montreal I thought I might want to reacquaint myself with my home town. After a family lunch, and a visit to an art gallery to arrange the delivery to our place of a recently purchased painting, I grabbed the neglected Leica 50mm APO SL lens, mated it to a convenient SL2 body and fired up the languishing Subaru. My destination? South Congress Avenue. 

I had no plan at all other than to park the car someplace convenient and then walk a loop from the beginning of the shopping and restaurant part of the district. Down the East side of the street (shade) heading North and then back up the West side of the street, heading South. 

The camera and lens I was carrying were larger and heavier than my usual carry around kit in Montreal but, with mild weather and no rush to get anywhere, the package was acceptable; almost comfortable. 

I made absolutely no attempt at subterfuge or misdirection or stealth as I walked along looking at what has changed in the last two weeks. Amazingly, a lot. Well, by the standards of a frequent visitor. One of the restaurants that recently closed is now the site of massive construction with whole exterior walls removed and fencing all around --- which looks so out of place in the midst of an upscale shopping area. 

For the first time in my memory the entire grounds of the Hotel San José were closed for a private event. A wedding, complete with a catering tent just outside the main doors to the parking lot. Which meant that I couldn't go in and make yet another in an endless series of swimming pool shots, could not enjoy a latté from Jo's in the peaceful courtyard of the hotel, etc. A ripple in the force. And to think that not too long ago the property was run down and a refuge for drug dealers, users and their entourages. My how things have changed in South Austin. Mostly for the better, I think, 

I've finally found the ultimate camera strap. Or, I should say, "straps" since I've been buying them like cups of coffee. They are quiet, unassuming, non-showy, functional black or brown leather straps made by SmallRig. I buy them from B&H. They are about $26. When I first started buying them, about a year ago, they were $19. Here's a link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1876325-REG/smallrig_5209_universal_leather_camera_shoulder.html

That's NOT an affiliate link. Whether you buy one of these straps or turn your nose up and continue with a silly, Black Rapid Phiasco strap makes no difference to me. I make no extra money either way and if you like imperiling your camera that's up to you. To me it signals that you really don't like your Sony or Canon camera and can't justify replacing it .... unless something should happen to it. An accident maybe. Like having your tripod mount connection fail and having your camera come crashing to the pavement. Or something like that. 

But, for $25 USD, the leather strap is nicely made, has good ability to cling to one's shoulder, looks unimposing but vaguely retro, and is a joy to wear. I had them attached to both of my SL camera variants in Montreal and they just did their jobs and got out of the way. 

I walked through the happy crowds of out-of-town tourists and in-town tourists just soaking it all in. I saw a number of groups of young women like the group just below who had come into town to celebrate something and made shopping for western wear and the like part of the ritual of celebration. When they stopped to do a selfie I smiled and asked if I could photograph as well. They were happy to accommodate me. And they genuinely looked as though they were having fun.

There were gaggles of guys on the street as well and I snapped this fella sharing something he found funny on his phone. Love the beer holder in the foreground. 

Snapped while walking through the courtyard at the Austin Motel. 

A group of "just turned 21" year old sorority girls were beginning to

line up at Rocky's Bar. A birthday poster in tow. 

I walked past this woman and her tattoo. I immediately regretted passing it by and fought 

my resistance by going back and telling her that the tiger on her back was most impressive. 

I asked if I could photograph her back. I asked her to move a bit to the right. I asked her to 

move her hair off her back. I snapped four or five images and then thanked her

very much and wished her and her friends a great day. She thanked me for taking

 her photograph. That was a nice touch from the universe. 

I saw this young woman standing with two friends. The friends were working on

their phones while the woman in the middle was smoking a cigarette. I passed by 

at first but, again, fighting my own resistance, I turned around, waited again at the 

crosswalk, and then went back to ask if she would pose for me. She was more 

than happy to. Her friends thought it was fun. I have misgivings, of course, about 

any young person smoking --- but to each their own. She was quite gracious.

In all, a nice, calm re-entry into my usual weekend routine of going someplace nearby to see just what I could see with a camera and lens. A nice day out and a good workout for the APO lens, mostly used wide open. Happy that the SL2 can deliver a real 50 ISO. Makes shooting wide open a bit easier...

I headed back home to see what we might do for dinner. And to read a few chapters in K.B. Dixon's book, "The Dogs of Doggerel." It was just that sort of afternoon.