To navigate Portland, Maine you really only need to know one street. Congress Street runs the entire length of the city, traversing every section of the city from the glorious West End to the up and coming Eastern Promenade. Whenever I am looking for a photograph, Congress Street is inevitably where I end up.

This image is no exception, taken looking up Congress from Monument Square. I was finally successful using a technique I have been trying for some time, the caught moment. Where the photographer is not involved with the subject, but rather is only an observer. I had seen many photographs taken by the masters of the street that showcase this technique. Capturing a scene that ordinarily would be passed by without a second thought, forever freezing it in time. By allowing us to study every detail, the ordinary suddenly becomes extraordinary.

When I saw this man walking past monument square, I immediately knew I wanted to shoot him. The trick was to figure out how. I followed him for a few blocks before finally taking this shot from the hip. I really enjoy the mood in this image, from his gesture and apparel to the signage and propaganda that line the sidewalk. This image really encapsulates the beautiful phenomenon that occurs on the streets of our cities. Regardless of race, financial standing, religious affiliation, or age we all come together on the common ground when we hit the street.

Processing for this image occurred almost entirely in Lightroom. Going to Photoshop only for selective contrast as well as toning. I tried to keep the image as true to the original capture as possible, keeping with the caught moment idea.