Hallway Table. One night last week, I was there late, making some of these photographs in my office--and when I was ready to leave, someone was working at the hallway table just outside. There's a big sign in the middle now, which announces that the table is for use by the Student Technology Services office down the hall--one of those unavoidable neologisms we all seem to live with these days. But this girl was involved in her own technology--hands over her face, forehead covered, like something in a play by Ibsen ("The sun, Mother, the sun..."). Very quiet, there on the Fourth Floor, a single track light illuminating the wood of the table top--but in fact, she was having a conversation with a friend--and her gesture was more about respite than angst...
It's always a question, a photograph like this--the moment on her part so personal. But at the same time, the moment is shared--visually, at least. So that there's an immediate empathy (if one so wishes). I went up to her after, and showed her the photo--to complete the arc. In her own world, she looked at the screen of my iPad, gradually comprehending. "That's a good picture..."
Glad for her response.
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