“I slowly put the camera down so that I could see him...”

I was in New York City in October of 2019, wandering the streets, unaware of the impossibilities that were racing towards me, towards all of us. I was learning about street photography from a charismatic and talented professional. It was a beautiful day in lower Manhattan.

I saw a gentleman sitting on the stoops of a church; locked golden doors glistening behind him. I approached him and told him I was part of a group of photography students and asked if I could take his picture. I warned him that it might take a couple of minutes, and several attempts, as I was old and my learning curve steep. He chuckled and agreed. I shot away and we began to chat. He was waiting for the bus. “I see you’re reading my favorite newspaper.” I said. “Actually,” he replied, “I’m annotating an article about affordable housing in the city before I send a letter about my concerns.”

I slowly put the camera down so that I could see him clearly. And then, he smiled.