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Landing At The Traffic Light
Landing At The Traffic Light
nutzito


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Street Photography (Advanced Editing V)
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Location: lima
Date: Feb 18, 2007
Galleries: Candid, Action
Date Uploaded: Feb 18, 2007

 This is my highest score so far in dpc. Thanks to all voters and especially to those who made comments. Here is the story behind this photo:

It was taken at an ordinary traffic light in my hometown, Lima, Peru. Some commenters have misidentified the place as Japan! ;). Guys, in Japan cars have steering wheels in the right side!!!

It is not a perfect candid since the guy knew I was shooting his picture, but he would have been doing his act anyway, regardless of my presence.

One of the unfortunate things of the third world is the high rate of unemployment. People without jobs must make a choice on how to survive... they become taxi drivers, hand crafters, beggars, robbers, street sellers, etc, etc...and, some of those who have some kind of artistic talent, earn tips by performing 30 to 60 second shows in front of cars stopped at the traffic lights. They do all sort of acts, the kinds you would see in a circus: twirls, marionette sketches, balancing acts, clowns, even acts of magic!

In this particular traffic light I had been impressed several times by this guy who performs what he calls "the fastest upside down spinning in town" standing on his head (I mean his helmet which, of course, has a flat area on the top, barely distinguishable in the picture). He really spins fast (that is why his hands appear blurry) and his performance lasts about 30 seconds, including some spectacular bonus jumps as the one shown in this other picture:



Then he uses the rest of the red light time to collect tips from the drivers; sometimes he miscalculates the available time and ends up performing in the middle of traffic! Like in this other picture:

<-- if you thought the guy is nuts, how about this?

Last Sunday I parked nearby that corner and spent about an hour enjoying his performances during most red lights, he skips some, probably due to fatigue. I took his picture for this challenge not only because I thought this kind of street scene is representative of places like Lima, but also because it is very eye-catching for photography! (This was confirmed by the impressing 530+ views during voting).

I decided to give it an intriguing title to make it more attractive to voters, which was probably not the best choice, but what do I know.

Yes, I paid him a good tip after finishing my photo session, but you can bet he made much more from the drivers.

Thanks again

Alfredo

Statistics
Place: 56 out of 288
Avg (all users): 6.0833
Avg (commenters): 6.8125
Avg (participants): 6.0088
Avg (non-participants): 6.1508
Views since voting: 1413
Views during voting: 531
Votes: 240
Comments: 21
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-60D
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
 04/11/2007 04:01:14 PM
wow that guy is nutz great picture you capture though and thanks for the story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital
 03/24/2007 01:41:32 PM
I'm glad you included the story behind this. I thought it might be a candid and rated it high during the challenge. Crazy way to make a living!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D700
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
 02/25/2007 12:47:19 PM
Very cool shot (how much did you have to pay him for that stunt ? ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a6000
Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
 02/24/2007 01:48:27 PM
I think I could do that! :) Perfect capture. One of my top picks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 6s+
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 02/22/2007 08:03:23 PM
What the hell??? Good image, but what is going on? And the driver on the left isn't even looking at him. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D80
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon
 02/22/2007 04:26:45 PM
this is an unusual Eye catcher. I'm giving you my highest score so far for creativity.........8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 02/22/2007 12:52:42 PM
Now this is unusual! I like the very bored look on the driver's face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 02/22/2007 10:33:40 AM
absolutely insane performer but a great capture. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 6
 02/22/2007 06:12:47 AM
this guy must be nuts, on the shot i keep thinking its just a snap shot of a strange guy, not a street shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 02/21/2007 10:00:23 PM
LOL - 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 50mm f1.2 L
 02/20/2007 06:52:20 PM
Skydive gone wrong?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Raynox Pro Digital 0.66X Wide Angle Conversion
 02/20/2007 11:27:48 AM
NOw there's something you don't see everyday! Good capture. Definite interest point!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D50
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
 02/20/2007 09:04:06 AM
I can't wait to read the story behind this photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
 02/19/2007 04:03:47 PM
After my stay in Japan I came away with the impression that the Japanese were insane - This proves it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM
 02/19/2007 12:49:57 PM
You can't get any more "street" than that! What is that nut doing?!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
 02/19/2007 10:53:24 AM
Wow, too funny, was he having a bad day? Very nice composition though, and very funny.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+
 02/19/2007 07:17:04 AM
lol, the guy in the subaru is certainly not impressed is he. I took some shots of a guy doing this the other day but he wasn't in the actual street. Nice capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 02/19/2007 06:13:18 AM
what on earth is this guy doing? is he crazy?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D60
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon
 02/19/2007 12:56:07 AM
Nutso pic! ... WOW!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon
 02/19/2007 12:40:42 AM
I look forward to reading the story behind this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 02/19/2007 12:12:10 AM
Great capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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