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What's Going On?

© Michelle Alton

What's Going On?

Uploaded: August 26, 2010

Description


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This is a below-ground-level alcove through which commuters pass at Suburban Station before surfacing by stairs to 15th Street and Market in Philadelphia. It is also a "hotel room" (and "bathroom") for the homeless and the city's pigeon population.
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I have no idea what sort of transaction is going down in this scene...I just viewed it and snapped it on my way to work one day last week.
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Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/80 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 125, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 42.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D

Comments

Paul E. Earl August 26, 2010

Wonderful capture of street life!! #1301913

BILLY R. PARKER August 26, 2010

GREAT TIMING AND CAPTURE MICHELLE !! BILLY PS: GOOD MORNING #8862066

Tiia Vissak August 26, 2010

a cool scene! #8862075

Brett Dolsen August 26, 2010

Wonderfull street capture and moment Michelle!I look at this and think how much is going on in the cities! #8862107

Lynne Morris August 26, 2010

Makes you wonder what is going on! Fabulous street life shot Michelle. #8862109

Randy D. Dinkins level-classic August 26, 2010

Great capture, Michelle. Sad, yet so very real life in the city. #8862119

Renee Doyle August 26, 2010

It does make you wonder what is happening !! Great timing and capture Michelle! #8862120

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic August 26, 2010

Whatever is going on, those birds want in on it. #8862151

Gord MacEachern August 26, 2010

Great street capture Michelle. So many things could be going on here, it does really leave one wondering!! #8862195

Jack Gaskin August 26, 2010

Very Interesting Capture. My Take on What's Happening....
May be illegal to feed the birds in this area. The other fellow does not appear to be Homeless as his cloths & he are clean and not tattered also the shoe's appear newer. Also wearing a watch. Appears to be reaching for ID. What the Officer is doing w/both hands holding a coffee cup is NOT SMART, regardless of how harmless this older man appears. Both their postures however say RELAXED. Which is fine for the old fellow not the Officer. Note his back pocket, that is a SUMMONS BOOK unless I'm mistaken so I say a Violation is coming.
I was once a field training officer, long ago. I still get highly critical of the way some officers become complacent & lax w/their own safety..........
Happy Shooting
Jack
#8862243

Barbara Mason August 26, 2010

This is a real life capture Michelle, this image could be interpretated in so many different ways - can I ask why you chose to frame it ? I would love to see without the frame - only a suggestion not a critique in any way !! b/w could be interesting - a wonderful image Michelle #8862288

Marilyn Cornwell August 26, 2010

Very compelling story with your title and framing! #8862336

Jack Ryan August 26, 2010

Interesting "slice of life" image...well composed with excellent clarity and color. Nicely done. #8862469

Monnie Ryan August 26, 2010

Another great life as it is in the big city capture, Michelle -- very thought-provoking as well! #8862691

Linda M. Walker August 26, 2010

Excellent street capture...it must be great living or working in the city with so many photo opportunities,Michelle #8862938

Mike Clime August 26, 2010

Nice story telling capture! He looks like a street person to me! #8863005

Mitch Spence level-classic August 26, 2010

I don't know what's going on either, except that the guy seems to be reaching for something, perhaps ID? Whatever it may be, I love this capture of a city moment, and I don't know how you manage, in the midst of seeing something transpiring like this, to also manage to get a beautifully composed image to boot. #8863054

Kerry Hill August 26, 2010

Fantastic story telling image Michelle, wonderful composition and I love the birds on the ground! #8863071

Tammy Espino August 26, 2010

A wonderful story capture!! :) #8863177

Jim Kinnunen level-classic August 26, 2010

This is a great image and a very intriguing image, Michelle...lot's of story telling here!!! #8863245

Ann Coates level-classic August 26, 2010

Perhaps he's reaching in his pocket to give the officer some bread to feed the pigeons, just joking. Interesting scene, if not a little bit intriguing. Good on you for capturing it. I always get a little bit nervous when I point the camera at people I don't know and then I usually chicken out. #8863617

Patrick Rouzes level-classic August 26, 2010

An amazing shoot & run capture here, Michelle! An endless array of potential stories here! That's what makes it intriguing! Wonderful work, as always! #8863711

David Phalen August 26, 2010

Terrific capture of city life!! #8863733

Tommy E. Burgess August 26, 2010

Wonderful timing to get an excellent documentary capture michelle!! #8863957

Barbara Waldoch August 26, 2010

Terrific catch, Michelle! #8864018

Robert K. Bemus level-classic August 27, 2010

Great street and comp, Michelle!! Got to agree with Jack although I know nothing about law enforcement-- but it does appear the officer is holding the man's beverage while the man goes for his ID... #8864038

Dick W. Wyatt August 27, 2010

My guess is the policeman wants some ID.
Great street scene Michelle. #8864059

Karen Engelbreth August 27, 2010

Wonderful street shot, Michelle... #8864079

Lorna Shutter August 27, 2010

I think the Police Officer is begging for money and the old man is reaching into his pocket to see if he has any change to give him! LOL! :D (It's probably more like what Jack said!) Awesome colour, comp and capture here, Michelle! Great work! :) #8864957

Michelle Alton August 27, 2010

Whatever was REALLY happening...I'm accepting Lorna's interpretation as the "Correct" one!
~Michelle #8864964

Lorna Shutter August 27, 2010

Thanks, Michelle! ;) #8865007

Nancy (Peaches) Harker August 27, 2010

LMAO @ Lorna

BEAUTIFULL capture Image Michelle, I love all you city photos! #8865657

Carolyn J. Connolly September 12, 2010

Superb capture of the moment here, Michelle...WHATEVER was going on!! Lol at all the guesses!! ;o) #8895861

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