Every Sunday, I make it down to the local Farmers Market. It happens to be in Brentwood,CA. home of more than 2 celebrities. And some of them happen to go to the market.
Hey, they have to feel their peaches for firmness, just like you and me.

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Anyway, part of my shopping experience is to also photograph the seasonal fruits and veggies (easy…) as the changing sun hits them, or softly lit under a canopy. It’s kinda like sketching. Every week photographing similar things, in a slightly different way. Maybe a change of lens, perhaps showing up earlier for new light.
Not incredible images, just working things out.

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Well, this week, I was walking around with the latest review DSLR, the Nikon D3, coupled with a very sweet 24-70 2.8. With cameras being on my body for most of my life, it is just another part of me, an extension. Never think about it being there.

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And then while testing the perspective peaches, someone asked me ” So, who’s here today? ”
” Excuse me? “
“You know, you’re paparazzi, right? ”
Holy Moley. I thought I was just taking photos of incredible edibles.
I asked him why he thought that. ” That big camera and your bag says Hollywood on it.” My canvas bag for shopping is from an editorial company based in Hollywood.
For some reason, I felt compelled to explain what I was doing.
But why?
Yes it was true. The concept of being considered paparazzi was a sleight, a diss, a slam.
Oh sure, he wanted to know what celebrities were there, but I didn’t want to be that guy.

Couldn’t I shoot this:
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While carrying this?
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Is this why Leicas were invented? The colors and textures called out for a full up camera.
I told this story to a friend of mine and they said “Of course they thought that..look at that camera in your hands!”

I guess it must be a matter of technique. It was hanging on the shoulder. Perhaps it should stay in a bag till the shot reveals itself. Any ideas? Should I just buy all of the subjects, shoot, and eat?

Yes, Rob Reiner was shopping. No, that shot was never taken.

Ahhhh..Los Angeles.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 8:49 pm and is filed under Photo News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.