Patterns, paths and peking duck
Today I was lucky enough to be in possession of a friend’s new fast and fancy Canon SLR and so I spent most of my time in the Market taking pictures instead of talking to people. I’m going to have to give the camera back soon, and wanted to stock up on pictures to use to illustrate these posts.
As I walked around, I realized that in addition to giving me an opportunity to take some really lovely photographs, the camera was also helping me see the Market through fresh eyes. As I’ve spent time in Reading Terminal over the last month, I’ve unconsciously established routines. I come in and walk down the aisles in the same order each day, and my eyes fall on the same sights. Having the camera in hand forced me to look up and down, to alter my customary patterns and to search out different places to stand in order to capture different perspectives.
When I first started this project, I mentioned it to a guy I know who lives out in Los Angeles these days, but who used to live in Philly about 15 years ago. He said that he had always loved the peking duck at Sang Kee. I replied back that I had never eaten there, and that I didn’t think it was there anymore. Today, because I was seeing things through fresh eyes, I realized that Sang Kee was absolutely still there and that I had been blindly walking by it every day. It was shocking to realize that I had been so unconscious and it made me wonder what else I was missing.
I haven’t tried the peking duck yet, but that’s coming any day now. After all, it came highly recommended.
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The first thing I saw was the photo, and before reading your text, I was wondering how you managed to get such shallow depth of field (background blur) with your camera. I was also surprised by the background bokeh (out of focus points of light) because it looks just like what you see from the Canon 50/1.8 lens (see the golden pentagons at the bottom?). And then I read your text and saw whose camera you were using and it all made sense.
Anyway, not that I’m trying to feed your desire for a dSLR (or am I), but I really like this picture.
Glad you enjoyed walking around with a camera. What’s funny is that my typical approach to the market is to walk around and see it through the viewfinder of my camera, but I never do what you’re doing and see it through the eyes of other people. That is impressive to me!
Yes yes yes, Sang Kee is highly recommended. Although, I did not realize that there was one at the Reading Terminal Market. The one I go to is the one in Chinatown.
As for your great project, I wish to congratulate you on this. I haven’t had a chance to visit the market yet, but through your eyes and words, I feel I am almost there. I am putting together a list of must-see places through you blog. Thanks again!
sorry, cant get past the ducks and all.