People-watching 101

Posted 8/21/12

I’ve always liked people-watching. Even as a kid, I would often sit back and watch them go by, talking amongst themselves, unaware that anyone else was looking. Little wonder then, that I …

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People-watching 101

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I’ve always liked people-watching. Even as a kid, I would often sit back and watch them go by, talking amongst themselves, unaware that anyone else was looking. Little wonder then, that I discovered a way to do so in my professional life, from behind the lens, observing the world around me and talking about the people later on from the safety and comfort of my office chair.

Naturally, my experience of events occurring in the Upper Delaware River region is skewed by the mere fact that I’m seeing the world through a different perspective, and I often find myself getting lost in the people, rather than the feature in focus. Oh, sure, if I’m at a parade I want to snap photos of the floats and marching bands, but it’s the people on the sidelines who continue to fascinate and draw my attention away from the main event.

This last weekend was no exception, as one of my favorite annual cavalcades took place in Livingston Manor, NY. “Something fishy” once again emerged in the form of the 13th annual ridiculously creative and entertaining Trout Parade, which is co-sponsored by Catskill Art Society (CAS) and the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce. The theme of the parade, touted as “Sullivan County’s foremost art parade,” changes yearly. This year’s tribute to pirates encouraged even casual observers to get in on the fun and don eye patches, carry swords and swashbuckle their way through town with parrots on their shoulders as cries of “avast ye matey” could be heard echoing down the street. Parades such as this are a dream come true for photographers, and I joined in on the fun, getting up close and personal, shouting above the applause to get the attention of those tossing beads to the crowd in order to get a good shot. To view all of the pics and share with your friends, visit www.Facebook.com/theriv erreporter and tag your pals. It’s the Mardis Gras of the Catskills, and ain’t we got fun.

When it comes to people-watching, there is nothing like a music festival, and the Mothership (www.mysteryland.us) landed in Bethel, NY last Friday for the third year in a row. Mysteryland dates back to 1993 and is now “the world’s longest running electronic music, culture and art festival.” The three-day non-stop action began as tens of thousands made their way to Sullivan County. As many as 10,000 set up camp on the grounds of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, prepared to dance the night away (literally), while dressed outlandishly, making photographers like myself do a happy dance, too. Those not lucky enough to secure camping on the grounds found lodging elsewhere and helped infuse dollars into the surrounding countryside, purchasing food, adult beverages and (I suspect) a sweatshirt or two, as the weather was less than cooperative for late-night revelers wearing tutus and feather headdresses. You heard me. I’m unsure whether the projected 50,000 actually showed up, but there were mobs of kids from all over the world having the time of their lives, while shivering in their skimpy outfits, more than happy to “smile for the camera” as they made their way to the various music stages built on-site specifically for Mysteryland.

I’ve attended the previous two events here, and my expectations were high for photo-ops, so I was a little disappointed that there were re-treads from last year. The main stage was new, but the giant boat was not, albeit altered. Once again, gargantuan floor lamps lined the walkways, carnival rides swung through the air and bird cages hung from the trees. But for the hundreds of dollars these kids shell out, I expected more. Everything seemed scaled back this year, including the (argh) press parking, and having heard that the organization was restructuring their finances… well… (IMHO) it showed.

Since the music itself is not designed for the over 50 crowd, it was once again the people who drew my attention, although I enjoyed what I heard, even from more than a few miles away. I didn’t stay for the fireworks, but they woke me up at 1 a.m. as I lay in my warm bed, thinking about the sights and sounds that stimulate the imagination, looking forward to perusing the photos (see them all on our Facebook page), hoping that I managed to get some good shots of the revelers. It’s the kids whom I focused on, rather than the music, as I walked miles during the festival, stopping every few feet, for there is an opportunity strolling by at any given moment. And from my observations, these are well-mannered kids, out for a good time. Personally, I have never seen any trouble brewing, and it’s still a mystery to me why anyone would object to these kids playing in our own backyard. I don’t know if they’ll be back, but I hope they do return, if for nothing else than the golden opportunity to watch.

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