Sign Language

This photo was taken early in the morning on an early December day in 2011 

The location was in downtown Washington DC near the big construction site where Lighten Up was found. 

The "Take It!" was ever so random.  I was driving my car, looking for a parking place, looked over toward the sidewalk and saw this ever so bright and clear shadow formation.  I did an immediate pull over, jumped out, took one virtical shot  and one horizontal shot.  I had done my pull over into the drive access to a parking lot.  Needless to say I got a bunch of angry horn blowers as patrons to the garage were blocked while I engaged in my artistic persuit.  I gave my best rendition of a gesture of thanks, which I doubt did any good at all.  

The After Take: I proceeded in the traffic and found a place to park. I walked back to take more photos of this extrordinary but common setting.  As it turned out, some of the big shadows were formed by a huge diesel truck that was parked at the curb with four construction type of fellows sitting in the cab drinking coffee. They were obviously waiting for their turn to have lots of stuff taken off the flat bed to be used in the site. I came up and started taking pictures which they watched me do.  I took several shots, walked over to the truck held up the camera next to their closed window, with the mini monitor showing the latest capture. They all leaned over and forward to take a look see at what I had caught. There was an appropriate amount of time used to take it in, then a resumption of regular seating posture and a universal set of approving nods given.  Silent communication, no words needed, no secrets being generated and kept, all straight forward stuff.  I took a few more shots, none of which were as good as my first one, gave a parting small wave to the guys in the truck and made my way back to my car.  All a small but satisfying exchange with all having an appreciative eye for a darned good shadow.

There will be more shadows, as they are one of my very favorite subjects.