THE SHOES 👣

A bird flies over a pair of hanging shoes on a local street lamp silhouetted against the backdrop of a fiery urban sunset.

In the flutter of the moment, my eyes noticed the shoes. Hanging calmly as if placed on purpose, unreachable, and telling their own story. Their origin remains a mystery, and their existence seems little noticed by passersby. In urban culture, their meaning can have intent. From a location hotspot for possible undisclosed activity to an innocent throw of exuberant youth playing at the time. Who knows, but the moment was there to see and consider all the options where stories can abound.

I took this shot literally in the final gasp of the golden hour. The moment for me was well-timed, as a burst of that combination of deep orange and red light cast across the sky for just a few minutes. I was actually focused on photographing the shoes in a silhouette setting, when a passing bird also added to the scene, which I liked.

And the shoes, in my view? They are now gone.

LIVING CITIES COLLECTION

Welcome to who we are, what we do, and those who live around and with us.

As social creatures, humans have always lived in tribes, building communities based on shared values and beliefs. Within these tribes, humans have created homes and cities, both as a place of shelter and as a reflection of their identity. Humans also have an innate desire to explore the world beyond their immediate surroundings, and our curiosity extends beyond physical exploration as we seek out new experiences and live life in our own domestic spaces. Whether at home or on the move, we are constantly driven to survive, create, or discover the meaning of living.