Fountain Cleaner

This is an image I thought I had not captured. I was walking in Midtown and noticed this gentleman cleaning a water fountain outside an imposing commercial building. He was shrouded in this amazing light with the vacuum’s long blue hose slithering along the water’s surface. Because I did not want to disturb him, I smiled and nodded as he briefly looked up to meet my gaze. He then proceeded with his task. That was the signal I was hoping for; the unspoken permission to photograph. I moved quickly and shot from various angles. After a couple of minutes I was in a rhythm and honing in on my vision for the image. Then I heard footsteps approaching and a voice asking me why I was photographing. This was the last shot I took before I lowered my camera and explained that I was shooting for myself. I was informed that photographing on the premises was prohibited without written permission. I thought surely I could continue. How could a middle-aged woman, photographing a water fountain look threatening? There was no negotiating. This experience reinforced the climate of fear and distrust that is being created in our country.

 

• Atlanta
• photography
• water fountain