TWO ALONE
A Street Photography meditation on how two might or might not be the loneliest number
Paul's Pictures
Greetings! Thank you for looking at this ebook. And thank you from the depths of my heart for the support, comments, and good vibes I've been receiving since I released my last ebook. Before we get on with the good stuff, I want to say a quick word about copyright and cost. There is none. In other words, I am offering this book freely and openly to everyone. Why? Because it's what I do: I make photos, write and occasionally do other art that I enjoy making and sharing with the world that's you. Let's just say it's my way of trying to make a difference; my way of contributing to change in our world. I hope you enjoy this ebook. Please feel free to share it as much and with whomever you'd like. If you would like to comment, or contact me, again, don't hesitate. My email is:
paulspictures242@gmail.com
Cover Photo: Two Into Ten
All the lonely people. All of us know who they are. If you are lonely, seek company as your nature and intuition directs. If you are not lonely, then offer company if it is in accordance with your true nature. And to all the people who appear in this book: Thank you for sharing moments of your lives with me & my camera This book is for you too.
Time Passes Slowly Sometimes
Several years ago I made a video for YouTube called Two Alone, It was about a pattern - one among many - a recurring theme, I'd been noticing over years of endless walking on city (and sometimes small town) streets sharing moments with the other people I came across there, and making photographs as I wandered. This particular recurring theme was how through my camera or with my naked eye I would see two people or other creatures who seemed to be alone, but not exactly. Or they seemed to be together, but again not exactly. Of course often it was obvious: two people together might be parent and child; a couple; friends. All kinds of pairs! But what really interested me were the times that, even if there was perhaps a hint of that obvious element, something just wasn't so obvious. There was ambiguity. What looked like intimacy might be simply a chance 'arrangment' of where and how people were standing or sitting. And what appeared to be two strangers would
turn out to be two people closely connected or related, who at that split second my camera met them happened to be arranged in such a way as to seem distant or separate. Then there were the times when there was just a feeling of something just happened or about to happen between the two people in the scene who (at least to me) seemed not to have ever met before. Or the other way round: were they two people known to each and nothing was happening, except in my imagination? And that's the point: I see what I see; you will likely see something completely different. It's all in the interpretation, all in our point of view. It's even dependent upon our own perceptions about relationships, family, behaviour, you name it. One thing street photography taught me very clearly is that there is a lot less separation than we imagine. Oftentimes I would get the feeling that I was the people I photographed, and they were me. All sharing the same aspirations, struggles, joys, and sufferings.
You will meet quite a lot of people (and a few nonhuman animals I couldn't resist including) in this book. And as you meditate on these tiny moments in thier lives so generously shared with me, you might be asking yourself some questions: Are they alone or are they together? Are they together but lonely and alone? Are they alone but not lonely? Are they alone and lonely? As I went through my files and selected the photos you are about to see, these are the questions that once again surfaced in my mind. To be honest with you, I couldn't always come up with an answer I was satisfied with. So, now it's over to you. It's time for you to enter these shared moments and meditate on those questions. May the experience help you find a few answers.
PS: To see the video I mentioned up front just click here
I'm Listening Dad, But You're Not Saying Anything
In All Directions
Oh No! Take That Camera Away
Messages Must Be Checked
Well Met in the City Square
Let Your Face Do the Talking
Eyes All Over at the Busstop
The Train is Pulling In
Waiting With a View
Pucker Up and Pose for a Selfie
Taking a Break
Is the Taxi Coming Soon?
Not On Speaking Terms
An Apostrophe Loose on the Top Line
The Colours of Lunchtime in the City
Busstop Trolley Park
An Audience of One
Eyes on the Path Ahead
Excuse Me But Have We Met Somewhere?
Looking Down Her Nose
Navigation is Serious Business
On a River Beach Two Bulls
Needing & Offering Support
Yoyo Girl Busted
All Aboard the Beach Bound Bus
Reclining on the Beach Ghats
Month of Love
Holding the Baby
a living s i y b th asser p m ed wi t o a d l n u p ra d n—po t each w a o h r t ies an u r n o r o y o i t s w a , s plex a realiz tines m u e o o h r c t tinue , . n d s n o n d c a n t d s, frie deep s vivi ry tha n o g o t i n t s i i l c life a epi raw amb sands p u n n s o a l w l h i — t o s h their zines n ant ays to a a r w e c e k g d i l which a s te u n i s i r o , a e y d p h in iste ee in rate ound x f r f o e a o b c a w y l l g e b no sippin invisi ver k , with e a d n r n t l u l x ’ e u rgro s an e on th at yo a g h , t unde n e i s c s e s n er liv fic pa only o f a r r a t e f of oth o pp usk. a blur ight a d s t m a a u , yo indow round g w k d c e a t the b a ligh s a , y a highw
: r e d son
Thank you to The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows for this great word. Go there to explore all kinds of words you've never heard. Just click on the Orange sonder Photo: Two Alone at the Cafe
Waiting for the Ferry
Windswept on the Ferry
The Lost Blanket
Shoelace Dreaming
Love is Love
So, here we are at the end of the book. But I hope not at the end of your meditations on whether or not two is the loneliest number. I hope you have enjoyed this experience. Don't forget to contact me if you'd like. Thank you for spending some moments of your life with me and all those people (and other creatures!) you've met in this book. Peace & Love to you all