Virgil: Who Also Likes the Red Wings
So, on my little Detroit adventure, I wanted to take a picture of a Red Wings fan outside of the Joe Louis Arena, but I couldn’t find anyone wearing anything with the Red Wings logo on it. On my way back from the Joe Louis Memorial, I spotted Virgil. He let me take his picture even though I wouldn’t give him my phone number (I’ve decided to take his asking for my number as a compliment and not a creepy thing - at least not any creepier than me asking a stranger for a photo).
Beverly: A nice lady at the Joe Louis Memorial - Detroit, Michigan
Here’s the story:
I went to Michigan for my cousin’s wedding. When I was checking out the map, I realized we would be really close to Detroit and there would be time to kill the day of the wedding. Some people seemed a little surprised that I wanted to go to Detroit, but they didn’t know two things:
- I have come to LOVE the Detroit Red Wings. I considered dropping Nana off at the rehearsal dinner so I could go to a pre-season game, but I am nothing if not a good granddaughter and I was really happy to see the Aussie rellies. So, just getting to see the Joe was my consolation prize.
- The Joe Louis Memorial is a Detroit icon and I’ve wanted to see it since I started watching the Red Wings (they show it all the time). See, Joe Louis trained in my home town back during its heyday. I cross the Joe Louis Bridge on a regular basis. I’ve seen news clippings and heard his name in the list of famous people who were here. And that is a beautiful monument.
Nana and I didn’t have much time to get to Detroit and back and to the wedding on time. We parked at the Joe Louis Arena and Nana decided to stay in the car. I walked around taking pictures (nothing great) and thinking, “The memorial has to be around here somewhere.” I decided to take a chance and ask a stranger.
Beverly wasn’t entirely sure where the memorial is located and decided to walk with me. We chatted about the controversy surrounding its design and how we both thought it was a great way to honor both the man and the city. We talked a bit about Detroit.
In short, Beverly was a wonderful ambassador for her city and I asked to take this photo to remember her. I only wish I had asked for her email address so I could send her a copy.
So, this made me blush! Be sure to check out what AG is doing. It’s like getting to visit the Philippines without needing a passport. Also, he takes me to all of the local places I probably couldn’t find.
Here’s a fine example of AG’s people-watching skills.
A good advice to all photographers:
GET LOST IN THE LENS!*
*or viewfinder if you want to be technical about it.
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Amy is one of the folks here on tumblr whose work I look forward to seeing in my dashboard. She often photographs in Southern States (if my U.S. geography is serving me right) which is a part of the U.S. I have never been to and it is also the place I am least familiar with.
I like seeing a place through a photographer’s eyes. It may not be the gritty hardcore street photography I’m used to seeing but I appreciate and somewhat am allured to the simplicity of the place (most notably the French Lick).
Check out her work here



