Philadelphia: Gravity Assist

If you wanted to find some really good photo opportunities in Philly, you couldn't do much better than the area around the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Fairmount Water Works.

Here's a strolling path that connects the museum, on higher ground, to the level of the Schuylkill River. As I walked along an overpass above this area, I was struck by the strong pattern of shadows cast by the late afternoon sun on the paved brick walkway. I knew there was a good picture here; it just needed someone walking along the path to give it some life.

Soon, I saw a promising sight - a family of four, a father and mother pushing a baby carriage with a small girl walking beside them. I pre-focused at about the middle of the path and waited for them to get to that point.

Suddenly, with her parents still strolling near the top of the hill, the beautiful little girl took advantage of gravity and dashed ahead of them. I had my shot.