My first real confrontation with someone who didn’t want his picture taken.

He was selling vegetables (illegally I think) along Route 110 on Long Island (a very busy road) when he spots some punk pointing a camera at him. That was back in the Summer of 1972. I discovered these images recently in a box of long forgotten slides taken with my Yashica TL Electro-X. So after 45 years Mr. Roadside Vendor, your picture gets posted.

I was out enjoying the summer day when I spotted this colorful roadside vendor and I thought that it might make for some good pictures. I jump out of my car and set up my Yashica for the telephoto shots when I realize that the man is walking across a four lane divided highway straight towards me – and he wasn’t a happy camper. After some “conversation” between us, I agreed not to send his picture to Newsday  (Long Island newspaper) if he would just go away and leave me be.

The original images actually stink – a bit underexposed and out of focus, but after playing around with them a bit I kind of like the “Monet Effect” I got with these.

I like the soft colors – the blur adds a bit of vintage charm too. And yes, he had his hand in the right pocket of his trousers the whole time he was confronting me. I suspect he had an imaginary gun of some sorts. It was a fun experience for me and I’m sure he enjoyed the experience too.

I’m sure he was a nice old gent for the most part – maybe the Summer sun and my Yashica got him a little hot.

Camera: Yashica TL Electro-X

Film: Kodak Ektachrome 64

Thanks for your visit!

Chris