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I’m just back from New York and unpacking my stuff.
I went to BH Photo, the photo gear temple on 34th street. This man was standing in front of BH megastore with his view camera. Obviously, not your run-of-the-mill street photographer. I thought it would be a fun picture to have him carrying his heavy antique camera (one-pop flashbulb and all), in front of a backdrop of ads for digital cameras. He was also one of those people who you can tell had a bit of a story. I mean, just look at his eyes, the guy definely is a character.
Plus, it’s always interesting to shoot the shooter, I think.
I asked him if I could make a portait of him. “Sure”, he replied. “And then I’ll make yours.”, he added.
That was the deal. So, we shot each other in front of BH photo.
As the polaroid was drying up, he told me he purchased his camera back in 1959, to give you an idea about how having the latest gear avalaible is important.
He gave me my polaroid, and wrote his website address on it.
Now that I am home, with an internet connection, I learn that the guy has a wikipedia page, a cool website, a twitter acount, a facebook page, and has published many books.
He has been shot by countless tourists, I know, and my picture is probably not very good. But I like it, because I liked the guy and his story.

Have a look at what he does, he’s really an inspiring person.

On a side note, it’s been a looong day. My flight back from the US was delayed, I missed my connection flight and spent the afternoon visiting Amsterdam instead of sleeping, arrived home 8 hours late, I have to work tomorrow, and effing KLM airlines managed to lose my luggage. I didn’t sleep much in the last 48 hours, but it was a nice trip.