This is a photo of photojournalist Gray Whitley while on an adventure at Ocracoke Island, OBX. This was a long day, starting out at blue hour with Ocracoke's lighthouse and working into late evening astrophotography. I like to stay on the move and cover as much ground as I can, especially when learning a new area. This shot was taken next to the dunes on an abandoned winter beach. Gray is photogenic and he does make an interesting subject. As I was walking up to him, I saw it and Gray was a good sport about me taking a photo of him. A chance photo where the elements were not forced, they just came together on their own.
This is cool, but I feel just a hint more camera would sell it for me. It feels somewhere between posed and candid and although as a photographer I can see the controls on the body which suggest a camera under his arm, a little bit of the lens would complete the narrative for people less aware of the backstory.