Governor Michael Dukakis rides the Boston subway (the “T”) to work at the Ma. State House during the Blizzard of 1978, when over 20 inches of snow fell on Boston and closed the city for almost a week (© Michael Maher).
The Photo:
Years before he became the Democratic candidate for President, Ma. Governor Michael Dukakis was even then a modest, unflashy personality. I was riding the Boston subway (the “T”) with some friends during the infamous Blizzard of ’78, when I spotted him in the train car ahead of me. When the train stopped at the next station, I jumped out and shot several photos of him through the train window as he read his newspaper among the heavy crowd, never looking up as passengers pushed and shoved to get on. No one even spoke a word of recognition to him, which was how he liked it, as he took the “T” to his office at the State House. I was lucky to happen upon him, but prepared enough to have my camera with me, which I learned early-on that a photographer should always keep handy. This was a humorous photo of a famous politician because few Massachusetts residents imagined their Governor riding the subway to work with thousands of ordinary commuters.
3 Tips:
1) Look for photos of famous people or high government officials doing normal day-to-day activities.
2) The best photos show them not looking special but being very normal and unassuming.
3) Keep your camera with you whenever possible so you are always ready for this type of unexpected photo opportunity.
No comments:
Post a Comment