8 MINUTES IN A FISH MARKET

I could walk around Galveston, TX for days just snapping away photos. Between my time in NYC and LA, I spent many months working as a technical director at a repertory theater saving up for my first video camera and Mac Pro. There is a salt-blasted beauty and beer-drenched mystique everywhere you look. With family still in the area, I make it a point to spend time grabbing pics when I’m able.

One morning last July I decided to go down to Pier 20 where the shrimp and fishing boats come and go. The area was quiet except for a forklift driver and a pack-em-in-tight fishing charter about to set off with future seasick tourists.

I followed the forklift driver up to Katie’s Seafood Market just as they opened up. They were hard at work cleaning redfish from the latest catch. I asked an employee if there was a manager I could speak to about taking a few photos of the morning activities. The young man went over to the wet table with four men around. He said something to the largest gentlemen who then looked me up and down and nodded. I could easily translate that to “Yeah, go for it, but stay out of our way. And if you slip and crack your skull, don’t blame us.”

I knew I had maybe ten minutes before I outstayed my welcome or the place got busy with customers. They got busy after eight minutes. I love a good challenge like that. I can think of a dozen things I’d have done differently if given the chance. But that ain’t life with a camera.