Black and White Photography Blog, Vol. I

He really does have a medal that he wears around his neck that proclaims, The Mayor of Central Park. A few years ago, I met him walking on the track with his walker. He was at least 80 years old then - and reminded me very much of my own father - filled with life and energy. Somewhere along the line he exclaimed that he could still do a headstand - and seeing the dubious look in my eye - shuffled with his walker to the bench, where he did this modified headstand. He admitted that he had to hold on to the railing, but still - at his age it was a headstand.

He was filled with adventure stories - the kind of character you might run into if you were reading the later Henry Miller trilogy - and you didn’t need to say much to hear the stories.

One day, your on your way for your first job interview; a couple of eye-blinks later you’re doing headstands on a bench for a guy with a camera. One of the things that I love about walking around photography is the people you run into - especially the older ones with young hearts who are happy to do some showing off for a guy with a camera that they just ran into.