Moment of Recognition

Tonight I post my 1000th consecutive blip but you're not getting anything clever from me to celebrate. Sorry. Even if I had the ingenuity I'm lacking both the energy and the time at the moment to do anything out of the ordinary. I'm still feeling quite out of sorts. People warned me this bug might take a while to recover from, and they seem to be right. With deadlines at work looming large, the timing has been terrible ... but possibly inevitable!

So just a couple of minutes for photography today and thankfully the forecast rain held off for an amble around Market Square. The general jollity witnessed here is at my expense. I'd just been chatting with these two ladies and, despite their initial reluctance, I eventually managed to take a portrait of them both. If someone isn't keen I don't normally ask again but occasionally, after chatting for a while, a person will offer. In this case, the daughter on the right offered up her mum. "Oh go on mother, let the man take your picture." Mum demurred. "Don't be silly mother. Let him take your picture." I think she secretly wanted me to but was very self-conscious in front of the camera. Once I took a few portraits, struggling to get a natural shot, I then turned the camera on the daughter. She didn't really have a lot of choice. And she turned out to be a natural. See for yourself! Truth is, most people actually like having their picture taken. Never be afraid to ask. And if they decline it's likely that they will be secretly pleased to have been asked. There's never any harm done. I think we all crave acknowledgement in this world.

I'm sure I'm often the subject of discussion after I've swept in and out of a group of people with my camera, especially at bus-stops. As I was walking away I turned around to try to take a candid. I wasn't quite quick enough, but I do rather like these shots taken in that moment of recognition when someone realises they are being photographed. It's a kind of genre all of its own. This then is a nice souvenir of the day for me, and I think it's very appropriate that I post a street shot for my 1000th. This is the kind of photography that I enjoy more than any other, and certainly the one from which I derive the most satisfaction. I could never have imagined myself saying that a year ago. I've had quite a photographic journey here.

I think the best way of thanking you all for the support of my journal is by keeping this short tonight! It's all been said before. I've certainly said it all before. We know why this place is so great. It's all about the amazing community. Sadly I'm not in a position to be able to browse more than a few journals a day at the moment so it means a huge amount to me that so many of you still drop by and leave stars and comments and hearts. That is exactly why this place is so special. Thanks also for the many of you who drop by quietly every day. Whoever you are, I appreciate your time. It really is what gives the whole thing meaning and why there is no way in the world that I can stop. Posting my blip is a moment of a grace each day, a point of connection to people all over the world which is more precious to me now than it's ever been. It's also the way I get acknowledgement myself. When the skills that have earned me a living my whole life are fading, that's become increasingly important to me. I don't mind admitting that. Love to you all. You're the best.