Connections by Myra Rudin

 Editor's Note. Myra Rudin has a vast collection of candid street photos. What I like most is the skilful framing and the story that each frame is telling us. This is what Myra has to say: 

In my last submission to the Newsletter, I presented photos representing people, some happy, some not so much, at their workday jobs, entitled “The Daily Grind”.  Here, in comparison, these photos show people at leisure, alone or with others, having a connection with a friend, family, their pet, or with nature.

People around the world often have the same rituals for leisure time – a coffee with a friend, a walk in the park, or reading under a tree.  Children have no problem finding fun – sailing a boat, playing with a ball, or even old tires.  

I call these photos “Connections” in six chapters, “A Family Affair”, “I Love My Pet”, “That’s What Friends are For”, “Alone But Still Connecting”, “Child’s Play”, “Romantic Connections”. 

Enjoy!

“A Family Affair”

It's always nice to capture family members having fun in various ways, be it at the beach, in a park or sharing a wonderful meal together. Of course, there might be a few tears here and there....

A family affair

A happy trio

A stroll

Always a comfort

It is okay

Ocean Fun

“I Love My Pet”
Anyone with a pet knows the strong connection between animal and human. NYC dogs, so revered, are also usually included in the annual festive Easter parade, outfitted with all sorts of Easter (and other) costumes.

Connections x 2

Man's best friend

My Easter bunny

The eyes have it ...

“That’s What Friends are For”

I seem to find that men like to connect in groups more often than women. They usually go to the local bar or central plaza bench and spend time talking about the happenings in their town. One of my favorite photos below is of the men in hats and jackets just sitting casually by a corner wall. It was taken in France many years ago and obviously shows how dress norms have changed through the years! I love the fact that they were "dressed up" for no particular occasion and I was thrilled that they allowed me a photo.

The black and white photo is also from France taken in 1984 (thus not great quality). I remember watching the two women who seemed to really enjoy being together and chatting the time away.

A little mischief

Chat time

Hat and coat mandatory

It's pink day

Lean on me...

Old friends

We are the best...

You don't say!!!

“Alone But Still Connecting”
Many folks don't mind being alone since they are still connecting-through meditation, spiritualism, or just with nature. Sometimes it's just to "get away", or " take a break" or just to be alone!

A path to himself

Alone at last

Cold contemplation

Love a good book

Spiritual connection

“Child’s Play”

Children never need an excuse to have fun. Either together with friends, or alone, they seem to find a way to spend a few minutes (or hours) in their own world.

Catch!

My guest today!

Never getting 'tired'

Pirate for the day!

Traditions

Yay!!

"Romantic Connections”

Both in NYC and Paris, where all of these photos were taken, there is no shortage of opportunities to catch people in "their moment".  Couples stop traffic to take selfies, others hide behind a tree, but, as a roving photographer, they can't always escape my camera!  (I haven't included any "delicate" pix for fear of getting caught...)

Happy connections!

Seeing eye to eye

The look of love

Two by the Seine

In a purple haze

A proposal

Always 'handy'

No better connection

You can reach Myra Rudin at myrarudin@hotmail.com

Click below to see some of Myra's contributions to XUNICEF Digest.

The Daily Grind

The Four Seasons

Travelling to Cuba