This week, we welcome Ritva to her first challenge as a Lens-Artists team member. She started out with a unique topic that certainly is challenging for me. Ritva asked us to focus our photos on window shopping. She writes, “I take photos of creative window displays, I have not limited my shots to fashion. Anything goes, like decorations and even food. Please join and share your take on this theme.” She also provided several other suggestions for flexibility in focusing on this challenge. With that in mind, For my response, I feature some older images that I feel meet the spirit of window shopping in her alternative category options. Interspersed with the older images I included several images captured last weekend on a real window shopping with a camera tour. It features street photography of people in the act of window shopping. I hope you enjoy it.
A decade ago, we were walking along a street in Boston. As part of the Freedom Trail experience, there were many re-enactors dressed in period costumes. As I walked by a restaurant, I spotted a Revolutionary War British soldier sitting at the window. I suspect the cast is not allowed to display anything other than period technology. Even though he tried to hide it underneath his hand, it was obvious that he was using a cellular phone. It’s hard to see it without zooming in, but between his fingers, I could see the outline of a cell phone. I had forgotten how the invention of the cellular phone wasn’t enough of an advantage to bring success to the British Army in quelling the rebellion >grin<.
As I walked along Old Town Scottsdale, there were plenty of tourists who were window shopping. This couple looked for some time at this specific display. I was able to capture a couple of shots, but this one was my choice to share.
Above one of the saloons in Skagway, a brothel museum features a tour of a one-time brothel. The red light in the window once attracted customers. Looking through the window, though, you can see a couple of window shoppers checking out a store across the street. As an aside, I just finished reprocessing this image. In its previous version, I filtered out all but the warm colors to focus on the red light, the boa, and the chair. At the time, though, other warm colors bled through in unwanted places (for example, the hands of the window shoppers), and I didn’t have the tools or expertise to fix them. With Luminar Neo, I was able to mask those unwanted areas and convert them to grayscale.
In Scottsdale Old Town last weekend, I tried without success to capture some very well-done window displays, but Ritva’s experience shows in her challenge. I was unable to get a usable image of the window displays due to the bright Arizona sunshine. Reflections were so strong that even when I tried to minimize them, the window displays didn’t photograph well. Maybe a polarizing filter would have helped. The window above is an example, so the sign became my focus for this shot.
In San Antonio Texas a few years ago, I spotted a man talking on a cell phone. He appeared to be window shopping in reverse, looking outside at the River Walk that went by the mall and hotel complex.
While the two ladies chatted, the gentleman was intently studying the menu posted in a frame by the window of this small restaurant. It was already after lunch and after this shot, Lynn and I headed toward an ice cream shop where we each enjoyed an ice cream float.
In Old Town Scottsdale, these two gentlemen were sitting outside a store. Were they waiting for their significant others to finish shopping in the jewelry store? Considering that it appears they were tied to their chairs and that they were unmoved by the many people who pass by each day, these two cowboys are still where they were sitting several years ago, the last time I visited Old Town.
The Federal Reserve Bank in Denver features a money museum where I like to think I could go shopping, well at least window shopping. To be sure of its location, I checked the website. It turns out, the museum is temporarily closed to visitors. No explanation as to why.
For a closer look at my challenge response images, you can view them in HD on Flickr here. Thanks, Ritva, for getting me out from in front of the computer and taking some new photos for a challenge. Next week, it’s my turn to challenge you to share some examples of your compositions. I will post the challenge on Saturday, at noon EST. If you’d like to join in the challenge with your own responses, here are the details on getting started.
John Steiner
Thanks for the smiles and your ingenuity, John. I don’t have your range of skills but I love the feather boa shot.
Thanks, Jo!
You have got some great images of windows John.
Thanks, Leanne! Fun challenge this week. Made me go out and shoot. >grin<
John, you did well even with bright sunlight. Signs help attract shoppers – i liked, I might even use that line when buying something I don’t need. the old men sitting waiting, what a nice treat of humour. I like your take on the topic with a wide range of images. Glad you ventured to take new photos
Thanks, Ritva! I’m glad you challenged me to go out and burn some pixels. 🙂
🙂
This post is a gem. I love that first shot in particular.
Thanks, Margaret!
Delightful post, John. I enjoyed your humour (how many times I’ve seen men just waiting about, while holding all the shopping bags…) Favourite this week is the reversed one, it’s a great photo on its own right but more significantly to this challenge.
Thanks, Sofia! I almost forgot that window shot. It was added late.
Reversed window shopping! Now that’s a great idea for a challenge. Your shot would be hard to match though.
That image was an example of being at the right place, the right time, and with a camera. 🙂
Watching the window shoppers, love it.
Thanks, GP!
Wow!
What a collection!
I chuckled at the reverse window shopping.
Thanks, Philo. A fun but challenging theme for me this week.
And you made it with your beautiful clicks along with lovely narration!
You gave a great twist to the topic John. Sometimes the shoppers are more fun than the window displays. Nice capture of the British soldier on his cell phone!
Thanks, Anne! Once I decided to go out and take new photos, it became much more interesting to me. 🙂
😊
Some fun shots here – the Skagway one is my favourite for sure!
Thanks Sarah! I’ve shared that one many times with different challenges, but it is one of my favorites, and it fits so many themes. >grin<
Thank you John, great pictures, and again thank you for sharing.
I always enjoy writing and processing the pics.
LOL for the last John – perhaps they needed to put the money to better use!!! Loved your choices. I too have a photo of a guy in revolutionary war dress speaking on a cellphone but he was NOT happy I chose to photograph him LOL. The image shows him giving me a dirty look LOL
I suspect they get in trouble if they are caught using “modern” tech. >grin<
John, you shared some very intriguing and beautiful photos. Opening with the cell phone was a great idea. The poor guy is trying to figure out what that “thing” is and does. What is it with brothels in Alaska? There is also a famous one in Ketchikan. The reverse window shopping was terrific, too. In closing, I think that hat must have some very deep sentimental value. Great post!
Those lonely miners have needed something to spend their gold on.
That museum is part of a tour that walked cruise guests around the town and shared information about sex workers during the gold rush of the 19th century. Very interesting tour!
ha. I enjoyed all of this John. Lots of laughs and unique grabs. The two “cowboys” were a great pick and with the sale sign in the back, I was thinking, even though a jewelry story, it was appropriately placed as they need new hats. The Freedom Trail was a great capture and it does seem a bit of juxtaposition. My favorite is the Skagway photo. The editing you did sure made a wonderful image that tells a story. Such a great submission. And we were going to see if you wanted to go for ice cream one day….Yum
Ice cream at the Sugar Bowl is always a worthy stop. That’s a great idea, Donna!
Let’ s try… before you head back. I will be in Cali next week and I think you have company.