I Have A Thing About People

Years ago, someone pointed out that I rarely take photos with people in them. My landscapes/cityscapes are people free for the most part. When they do appear, it’s usually with their backs to the camera. I’m certain I didn’t come up with a reasonable explanation at the time. The odds are very good that I won’t have one this time either.

So here’s another example of this curious photo-people-phobia of mine:

This is from a trip I took in the Spring of this year to Wakefield, Virginia. We were at a camp there and I was struck by the beauty of the reflection and took a half dozen photos. This is my favorite.

Why no people? It’s not a conscious decision most of the time. I like images of serene places. Cities without the “madding crowd” are quiet, peaceful places. Often, they are places no one experiences, either. So, they are images that fascinate me. Images of places others may not see.

If you want me to dig a little deeper, I’ve always felt awkward around people. My background and training allow me to seem more at ease than I am. People are fascinating but complicated subjects. That may be why I avoid them. It’s an equally good reason to make that a challenge for my photography in the coming year.

When you look at your own photography, do you find that there are some subjects you avoid? I’d love to hear your thoughts and reasons.

In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for a quiet corner somewhere.

Peace