Carny

A post-Independance Day thought: we Americans think that this is a country where you can live as freely as you please. And who better to exemplify a footloose life than a carny. Here he is, at night, at the carnival and at his trade.

This term may not be familiar outside of the US. It is a person who works for traveling carnivals, like the one that just passed through my town. They are paid low wages and live in trailers. Some I have seen appear to be young, out for adventure. Many are middle aged and unattached, both men and women, drifting alone. The older ones almost always look unhealthy. The tradition is that they are skilled in cheating naive fairgoers, although now legal regulation is much tighter. I did some quick research on where they go in the winter and couldn't find anything.

Street portraits are a favorite of mine and I think that this is one of the better ones I've done in a while. IMHO, that is, and, well, the lighting could have been better. I'm leaving today for a week at the brilliant Maine Photography Workshops, taking a one week introduction to portrait photography with the gifted photographer and teacher, Bobbi Lane. There probably is enough inventory on my laptop to keep posting STL pix for the week, but if not - shocking idea! - I may just have to take some time off. If all goes according to plan, I'll have better work to show you after my return.

Step right up and try your luck. You could win a prize.

TOMORROW: a picture of another carny and some thoughts on a carny's life