Halloween Is In The Air... or on a sign

Sometimes there are days where I don't see things to photograph, or at least, they aren't obvious. Today however, was not one of those days. As I was taking my daughter and her Grandmother to lunch, I suddenly saw all the Halloween displays and representatives out and about on Ventura Blvd. Saying out loud, "that would be interesting to shoot," I heard from the back seat, "not now Mom." Rachel's familiar tone of voice that rings out from experience in dealing with a long history of trying to curtail my primal urge, which is to stop and take an image. Of course she won this time, but only as long as our lunch lasted and she went off to do her own things, and Grandma was safe at home.
I had to return, although the light, the traffic, and most everything else was different, as I got close to the location, I breathed a sigh of relief, my subject, a guy with a sign trying attract attention for his store, was still there.

This is Daniel Pinto, a brave student from Valley College who needed to find a costume this morning, put it on, and go out and drum up business for Costume Warehouse. He said he didn't want to dress up like a condiment, catsup or mustard, he didn't want to be a hot dog, so he choose a Zoot Suite. He told me he like being outside, that was the best part of the job. Now, he just has to figure out where he's going in life, so he can get through school, and get a better job.
If you see him, say hi! HIs day will go a lot faster.
First, because I wasn't on assignment, and my Holga is painfully slow to aim, I asked him if he wouldn't mind me hanging out for awhile to take a few pictures. He was delighted, and so we talked as I waited for interesting moments. One moment that I didn't get on film was when someone asked him for directions, and the street was right in front of them. Everyone had a good laugh...
Some people misinterpret my compulsive desire, saying that I must think everything is important, and that makes what I shoot valuable. Not, so.
When I stop to take a picture, or go back as the case is today, I am working ideas out in my head, learning how to do it better next time, "just one more," isn't just a pretty quote in the PPAGLA (www.ppagla.org) motto. It runs through our veins. And I will continue to explore this desire, here on this site and with my friends.
Someone once told me "it's the journey." It's true, and I love this journey that I'm on.