the fiddler

 
Last week I happened upon a group of musicians playing in a nearby downtown courtyard. I was on my way somewhere else, but decided to stop for a minute and take a few photographs. What began as a group of about 4 or 5 fiddlers soon increased, as one by one musicians arrived at the square, unpacking their instruments and warmly greeting their fellow players. They gathered here on this beautiful weekend morning not out of obligation or duty, but for the pure joy of playing and whatever donations passersby were inspired to leave in their tip jars.

Most of the time I would prefer photographing children over adults, but when I left this group I realized that it’s childlike qualities that I’m really attracted to. Passionate expression……playfulness……..wonder and awe……being fully in the moment. To me, these musicians were much like children in the very best sense. And I suppose that since I completely lost all track of time while photographing them, I too was childlike. All of us there playing together in our own unique way, each doing the thing we love most. It was good.

 
~Cynthia