Lights - camera - pedestrian gridlock

As some of you may know, I also publish a photoblog featuring images of people and places in and around Sydney. I could have said photographs, but "images" sounds more artistic and up market!

However, I may have to reconsider the theme of the blog and take photos - sorry, I mean images - of open desert or wilderness. I am beginning to cause pedestrian grid-lock everywhere I go.

Yesterday, the weather cleared enough for me to venture to the shops to buy essential supplies such as malt whisky, cigarettes, a Mars bar and a packet of pretzels. As I neared the shops, I turned to the left and saw the most glorious sunset. As always, I had my camera slung over my shoulder, so I stopped to take a photo. I looked to my left - no one in sight. I looked to my right - not a soul around - unless you count a dog that had broken away from its owner and was exploring the big wild world by itself.

I raised my camera and pointed it towards the sky. "Ah yes" I said to myself "Need a bit of F8 at 1/100, mid level flash, evaluative white balance and 100 ISO". Then I did what I normally do and fiddled around until it looked right. Click, click, click.

As soon as I put my camera down, a young woman walked past and apologised - hoping that she hadn't spoiled my shot. To my left, three people had stopped, not wanting to pass until I had finished shooting. Two people to my right side had done the same thing. No one seemed to mind - it was as though it was the natural thing to do.

I have noticed this a lot in Sydney, and it does bother me a little as I never set out to be a deliberate inconvenience to people. I do try to make sure no one is around, and try not to take too many photos. But as soon as my camera is aimed at the intended subject, people seem to appear from nowhere! Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that people here are that considerate - its my own effect on others that causes me concern.

Mind you, I am one of those people who seem to attract other people. If I ever get lost in a vast wilderness, all I need do is sit down for a quiet think, and sure enough, someone will appear from out of thin air, point to a space next to me and ask "anyone sitting here mate?"