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.
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27 comments:

  1. AndyJanuary 25, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    This a very unique way to photography a reflection.

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  2. KateJanuary 25, 2013 at 6:14 AM

    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.

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  3. PerthDailyPhotoJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    I do Mr. Hartford, I do!

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  4. HalcyonJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    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.

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  5. brattcatJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    all the time.

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  6. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    I like your creative ideas!
    Happy weekend,
    Léia

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  7. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    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.

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  8. MalyssJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:22 AM

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

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  9. Sylvia KJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:41 AM

    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!!

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  10. SharonJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    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.

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  11. LeaJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    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

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  12. CatherineJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    yes - a very evocative reflection...

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  13. SRQJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    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.

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  14. 'TsukiJanuary 25, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    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.

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  15. RedPatJanuary 25, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    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.

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  16. LOLfromPasaJanuary 25, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    I definitely do!!!! Good question.

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  17. DianneJanuary 25, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    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!

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  18. EG CameraGirlJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:03 PM

    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. :)

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  19. MichelleJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:26 PM

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

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  20. Clueless in BostonJanuary 25, 2013 at 10:34 PM

    Very good double reflection Jack, the visual and metaphysical.

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  21. PatJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:02 PM

    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!

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  22. RandyJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:15 PM

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

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  23. JanetJanuary 26, 2013 at 9:58 AM

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

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  24. jennyfrecklesJanuary 26, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    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.

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  25. tapirgalJanuary 26, 2013 at 8:40 PM

    Yes, I often wonder.

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  26. CaTJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:48 PM

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

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  27. William KendallJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:54 PM

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

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