As the Flaneur With A Camera, I wandered the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans. I would leave the bed and breakfast with one or two of the many cameras in my room. This day, I was using the Leica M3 with the 50mm Summicron Dual Range lens. I was at the end of a roll and feeling tired and hungry. From the sidewalk, I noticed this bike and basket. I imaged the gritty image I could make, but focusing was difficult in the deep shade. I am still much quicker and more adept at photographing with an SLR compared to a rangefinder. As I tried to obtain the focus I wanted, I sensed someone watching me. I did not acknowledge their presence and worked on making my photograph, knowing this was probably the last frame on the roll (and it turned out it was). The person’s presence added to the anxiety and pressure to hurry up and take the picture.

After the click, the person approached. “I live here,” he said, pointing at the cluttered and rundown porch. “I would never have thought to make a photograph of that, but I see it now.” I thanked him. He looked not at my face, but my camera. (I sometimes think my face is a camera). “I think I need to get out my film cameras again,” he said, then opened the gate and entered his property.

The Flaneur went on his way. We may have parted ways, but we shared a photographable moment.