So, even though I grew up when film was still going strong, with the proliferation of digital cameras, it feels a bit weird to walk around with a single black and white camera – no digital backup – and take photos of “family stuff”.
The Texas State Fair in Dallas was one such occasion. I had no “backup” – just the Leica M4-P and a single CV 50/1.5 Nokton.
Travel the world and experience “culture” from street vendors and markets in Haiti and Southwest Asia to the finest opera houses of Europe… then you come to Dallas, Tex, and realize the same stuff is right here in our backyard.
At the same time, you can go to the state fair and realize there is nothing “normal” or “abnormal” about the situation whatsoever.
Deep fried butter… or fried beer… or fried car tires…? Not normal.
Or is it?
The people at the fair? Absolutely the most random cross-section you’ll see in the world. Granted, much more “Texan” than other places… they’re a little fond of their Southwestern flair…
…but we mustn’t forget: this is Texas.
Big sky, big fair, big food.
But its all about the family.
Its one of those holdouts. Its one of those things that actually gets the kids off the couch and out of the house and with the family.
Yeah, you’ll always see the kids being drug around or being carried asleep by their fathers.
“Dad, have we ever been to the State Fair?” they’ll ask in a few years.
“Yes, daughter,” will be the reply, “You slept the whole time.”
But what could be more American?
Stay tuned,
-Noah D.
