2024 01 25

Man eats at Pennsylvania rest stop. November, 2023. © Clayton Hauck

Another rest stop image made while driving out to New Jersey.

I saw this guy eating as I was leaving and loved the way the light was hitting. While making eye contact, I slowly raised my camera and made one perfect image, afterward he rose from his seat and ran after me. He threw a punch, I dodged it, swung back and knocked him out in one slug.

Just kidding! I was too timid to make the photo without asking so I went back inside and asked if I could take his photo. He was super confused but seemed to agree, at which point I went back outside, made a few images, went back in to show him my executed vision. I don’t think he agreed with its artistic value, but he did tell me I don’t need to ask permission to photograph people in public. This got me thinking about how much photography has changed in the last few decades and how I used to agree with this sentiment as I proudly carried my Nikon FM-2 around town making street photos of whatever I wanted. These days, this attitude might get you knocked out, whether technically legal or not.

Overall 10/10 awkward experience but glad it happened and love the image. His jumbled face from the reflections on the dirty glass.

Classic Mundane America.

-Clayton