Getting out usually proves to be most beneficial all around. Today, as I was photographing around town, I came across a sign that said “Se reparan Niño Dios” (We repair Baby Jesus). As I got out my camera to take the photo, a woman —carrying what I thought was a baby— asked me if the place was closed. “Sorry, I don’t know,” I replied. “I’m just walking about taking photos”.
So she rings the bell, and the door gets answered while I’m still busy adjusting my camera settings. As I step back to take the photo, I turned towards the open door to get a glimpse of the workshop inside. I didn’t expect it. The woman was unwrapping her Baby Jesus to have it assessed by the craftsman. He briefly looked at me, we made eye contact, and so I took a step inside to peak in.
It was evident that the sculpture to be repaired was high quality, and the head and neck, unfortunately, were severely broken in pieces. I really didn’t hear what they were saying as I was standing just inside the door looking around at the art pieces on the walls. I even spotted a couple of copies of Degas’ paintings —they were obviously copies meant to be copies and not falsifications. There was also a colorful good painting of a bullfight, which caught my interest as I have a project of making a series of bullfight paintings. There was too much going on in the workshop. Only now I take notice of the bicycle, leaning on the table, with a wooden crate carrying another Baby Jesus.
I’m normally a bit shy about asking people if I can take a photo, even if they’re not in it. This is something I really need to work on because, honestly, the worse thing they can say is “no”, and I’ll end up exactly as I started, so I really have a chance of winning if they say “yes”. So I got the courage to ask if I could take a photo of the broken Baby Jesus. The man answered “Sure!” as the woman stepped aside to let me get closer —geez, I’m getting tense as I write this!! Why?? Anyway, with my nerves a little less tense then, I asked if I could get a photo of the workshop, and he again agreed. I was so unbelievably nervous that I just snapped 3 photos very rapidly on automatic without care about composition or anything, just to get a snapshot instead of making the photograph.
I have to work on this and approach more people to get more practice. I think my failure here was that I didn’t expect such a positive response. But, at least, I made it happen. From now on, every time I approach someone, I need to be ready if they say yes… and then be diligent but take my time to make the photo.
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