While wandering through Chicago on a lunch break from the Flash Bus Tour with Joe McNally and David Hobby (Strobist), I stumbled upon this scene. Something about the old, worn sneakers perched on a newspaper stand practically begged me to take their photo.
The shoes had clearly seen better days—abandoned, their purpose served. (For the record, this is exactly how I found them.) In a way, they reminded me of the newspaper industry itself—once essential, now struggling as readership declines in favor of digital news or, unfortunately, no news at all. I could go on about that, but I’ll save that discussion for another time.
Then there’s the connection to photojournalism. A photographer covering the news is always on their feet, running from one story to the next. I can’t claim to have that experience to the extent I once hoped. I wish my drive to be in the field had manifested earlier in life—but since I can’t change the past, I’ll simply focus on making it happen now.
Also, I love my custom-designed Converse. I need another pair—this time with thicker soles. Maybe one day, after years of chasing stories for a publication, I’ll leave my own worn-out shoes on a newspaper stand somewhere, waiting for another wandering photographer to find and be inspired by them.