The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I'm here for it. On 25 March 2024, we published an article entitled "Creepy Photogs" while petitioning the public to assist with identifying two possible suspects. Little did I know, one of them was about to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. In fact, he not only revealed himself but also expressed a desire to speak with me…
I met "The Jolly Green Noncompliant" (TJGN) in the Market for a face-to-face conversation about the B.O.L.O., creepy vibes, and Seattle Street Photography (SSP) culture. The impromptu encounter painted a rich portrait of photogs hunting for the "perfect shot" amidst a sea of otherwise unremarkable pictures. TJGN asked to remain anonymous, so we'll continue to reference his moniker throughout this article.
When asked about the unorthodox style of his waist-level photos, he responded, "I can literally take 150 photos and delete about 149 of those." TJGN shared a philosophy I discovered during recent discussions with various SSPs who stated, "We're trying to take as many photos as possible in a short period of time, and it's difficult to walk around safely with a camera up to your face in public."
TJGN echoed this sentiment and added, "The cameras that (SSPs) use aren't conducive for spying on people. They're very obvious." He believes that bad actors with cell phones pose a greater risk to the public than locals capturing the Market scene. And I would have to agree with him.
We concluded our conversation after talking - and laughing - for way longer than intended. I resisted the temptation to place the lapel mic tucked into my flight suit pocket on his blue jacket to hear more about the SSP scene. "There are people who have been doing this a lot longer than me," he said. They can tell you everything you need to know about the culture." I admired his velcro tag-swag and thanked him for his time—and grace—before disappearing into the Saturday crowd.
This happens in the Market community; people connect and vibe. Today, I pondered the difference between resolving challenges with a scalpel versus a sledgehammer and how a lack of cultural awareness - plus my military mindset - may have influenced the matter. Did I overact? It depends on who you ask. But, regardless of your take, today ushered in a trifecta of blessings; the mystery was solved, concerned residents have their answers and the case is closed.
Ty! Now, I ____ S.S.P. culture.
A. have a better idea about
B. want to know more about
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