Thematic Photographic 183 - Pairs

The Dairy Queens
Delray Beach, FL, December 2011

About this photo: We're kicking off our new Thematic theme, pairs. Scroll down to participate - you know you want to!

I discovered something about myself when we were away: I really like stealth photography. I know I've always had this thing about shooting folks in public, that I've been hesitant, for reasons of privacy, legality and personal safety, to point my lenses at strangers. For reasons I can't quite explain, that's beginning to change.

I brought a tablet along for vacation - a PlayBook, because I'm just that geeky - and realized what an incredibly efficient and unobtrusive camera it can be. We're not at the point yet where the act of holding a tablet up just so is enough to attract attention. So for all most people know, you're reading Really Close To Your Face. If they notice at all. Which these two ladies did not.

They remained immersed in their fascinating world for as long as we were there, never once losing pace with either their ice cream or their discussion. I wondered if this was a regular thing for them - it sure looked that way - and whether or not they ever tried a different venue. I suspected not, as this formica-clad slice of frozen comfort seemed just right for the kind of moment they were having. Dairy Queen is never quite home, but for a few minutes on an otherwise lonely night, it'll do just fine.

Of the thousands of pictures I took while we were away, this ranks among my favorites. There's just something about this moment...

Your turn: I chose the pairs theme because sometimes, things just go better when they've got a partner. There's a certain symmetry associated with being part of a twosome, a sense of balance that the singular sometimes seems to lack. I hope you'll join in: Just take a pic, post it to your blog (or find one you've already posted), leave a comment here letting folks know where to find it, visit other participants and generally enjoy the vibe of it all for the next week. Thematic is all about exploring our photographic potential, and if this is all new to you, click here for more. Otherwise, I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got!