I am here to tell you that I have found the absolute best camera in the world, and despite it’s pungent aroma of cliche and overused tropes… it is… drumroll… the camera you have with you! No bullshit. For real, for real. Last week I found myself in Lancaster, Pennsylvania doing some much “needed” shopping. Being mostly broke with basic tastes, I decided to head to Tanger Outlets. Usually I take my a6000 everywhere with me, but lately I’ve become lax with it. Most days I ask myself if I plan on seeing anything worth taking a picture of, respond with an “eh”, and leave it at home. I obviously see the error in my thinking, but none the less it happens. That day was one of those days.
Surprisingly the outlets were all but empty. I was expecting droves of people to be there, as this was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Honestly, I think most of the people there were employees getting ready for Black, I almost threw up in my mouth, Friday; the real holiday of the USA’s holiday season. Ideally I wouldn’t have been shopping so close to the Capitalistmas, but thems the breaks. Regardless, when I wasn’t searching for deals, I found myself walking in the beautiful soft light that I look forward to each winter. While most where I’m from complain about the winter temperatures, I consistently sing the praises of the season’s light.
As represented in the 3 photos, the light was soft, and even softer. Plus there were some interesting textures and colors in the outlet center, surprising for a suburban shopping center. Usually everything in the suburbs is mayonnaise, just some vanilla mayonnaise. But each of these scenes made me stop in my tracks, exorcise my phone from my pocket and snap multiple frames. While the photographs aren’t life altering, I am quite pleased I managed to make art out of sterile consumerism. I did not allow my disdain, and hypocritical support, for fast fashion to limit my ability to see the ever-present beauty. Or maybe that’s just what I’m telling myself, er, selling myself.
