This is the second “bus stop” shot I took, still before I came up with the idea for the series.  The The first one is here.  It is amazing how many people walk around the streets talking on cell phones.  Even though you might be aware of it at some level, when I really started paying attention as part of these street candid series, I found that the number was far beyond what I previously realized.  I quickly decided to avoid taking photos of people on their cell phones, unless something else grabbed my attention, or if there were other interesting people in the shot.  These people are elsewhere.  Their attention is focused on a person who isn’t there, and that’s boring.  On the other hand, I do find people who are reading something on their blackberry or iPhone potentially interesting.  They are lost in themselves, like anyone reading a traditional book.  They really aren’t that different from the other people waiting for the bus who are lost in their own thoughts, absent any distractions.

Plus, really, what are these people talking about that couldn’t wait?  Nothing — most of the time.