do you work here

While taking a walk on a sunny day in a small city downtown area I tend to photograph in. I passed by a spacious parking lot, usually filled with cars, now filled with carnival rides and snack concession stands offering Indian Tacos and Turkey Legs. Thick electrical cords ran from points along the ground like tree roots, I could hear a power generator in the distance. As I stepped further into this venue, I expected to see ride workers, maybe some people eating funnel cakes. None of this was to be found. I felt like a lone kid in a photography wonderland.

The first object of attention was the carousel. Motionless and colorful. The beautifully carved and shaped animals perched on their poles as if waiting for the next rider. I was the one in motion as they stayed still. Image after image, their energetic expressions seemed to leap forward as I circled the carousel.

Walking around the concession stands, other rides came into view. Their structures of painted steel and wood, sometimes towering tall caught my attention, and the view of my camera lens.

From behind I heard a voice. As I turned to respond, I saw a petite woman, with an aged quiet face. I had seen a few individuals sitting on the sidewalk that was to my right butting against some commercial buildings. I would take them to be transients; plastic bags, shopping cart. A common sight in this area. She asked if I worked here. "I am looking for a job". I told her that I did not, that I was walking around photographing. We chatted for a bit about what type of job she wanted to do. She asked for a cigarette, which I did not have. I thanked her for our time together and continued my walk through the carnival out to the main street, making images. SjB