Friday, January 25, 2013

The Other End of the Counter



She's at the other end of the counter.  Waiting silently.  I don't pay any attention to her and she doesn't pay any attention to me.

The waitress passes a bag with the food she ordered across the counter and takes the money.  She turns and walks out.  Do you ever wonder what is going on in the lives of the hundreds or thousands of strangers who fleetingly pass across your line of sight in a day or even an hour?

Like photos with reflections?  Click here to visit James' site, Weekend Reflections.

27 comments:

Andy said...

This a very unique way to photography a reflection.

Kate said...

She seems lost in thought; did she recognize that you were photographing her? The child in pink seated in the booth along the wall seems alert and pretty well-behaved.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I do Mr. Hartford, I do!

Halcyon said...

Sometimes I'm not even sure what's going on in my own life! I definitely like your reflection for today, Jack. We should take more time to get to know others even if only for a brief moment.

brattcat said...

all the time.

Cezar and Léia said...

I like your creative ideas!
Happy weekend,
Léia

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I tend to do that when I travel or am outside the zone of the places I normally stop.

I am often the person at the end of the counter to pick up food that Julie has ordered. One time Julie picked up the food at the Mexican restaurant where we get carryout a lot, and the kitchen staff came out to meet the real Julie when they heard that it was not the guy there who usually picks up the Julie food.

Malyss said...

A great question, and I like to imagine the answers !

Sylvia K said...

Yes, like brattcat, all the time! Great shot for the day and I found my mind suddenly full of questions for the woman at the end of the counter. All of that and a great reflection for the day as well! Have a great weekend, Jack!!

Sharon said...

I do this kind of wondering all the time. I'm glad to see that someone else does it too. I'm especially obsessed with this type of reflection when I'm traveling. It is sometimes mind boggling to think of all these people all over the world living their every day lives in routines that are so foreign and yet so familiar.

Lea said...

Well, wouldn't it be amazing if she read your blog!
Good reflection in the counter, and good question to reflect on, too!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Catherine said...

yes - a very evocative reflection...

SRQ said...

I wonder about people often, particularly when someone might unexpectedly be a little rude. I consider what might be going on in their life: house in foreclosure? health problems? issues with their children? layoffs looming? You never know what's on someone's plate.

'Tsuki said...

I often wonder the same, watching all this people living their life on which I have a tiny little glance when I cross their path... Vertiginous ! Nice reflection on the counter, and tricky one for the mind.

RedPat said...

You never know what troubles might be going on in a person's life. Usually you can tell when someone is happy but a neutral face tells nothing.

LOLfromPasa said...

I definitely do!!!! Good question.

Dianne said...

Yes Jack! everyone has a story ... I wonder what this lady's story is .....I think she was born on a Saturday - " Saturdays child works hard for a living" ... just maybe!

EG CameraGirl said...

Yes, I do wonder what's going on in the minds of the strangers I meet. I also wonder how you took this photo without her knowing. :)

Michelle said...

I wonder ALL OF THE TIME! Glad to know someone else does as well.

Clueless in Boston said...

Very good double reflection Jack, the visual and metaphysical.

Pat said...

That's a nice soft reflection of the woman in the counter top and a good window reflection in the window you were shooting through. I'm guessing you were taking the photo while looking through a window. Very clever way to get two different reflections!

Randy said...

I do wonder, but I am not brave enough to take a shot of someone like this. Great shot.

Janet said...

Well, not enough to have thought about taking this shot. Good photo for reflections.

jennyfreckles said...

Superb photo Jack. I love the edginess you've created by having her looking out of the frame. And yes, I do often wonder....not only what is going on in their lives but what it would be like to actually be them.

tapirgal said...

Yes, I often wonder.

CaT said...

nice one.
i often wonder about the waiters and why they choose that job...

William Kendall said...

I do that a lot. Helps to create a character speculating as you look around at passersby.