The Rope Line
A storefront in Lowell, MA
Rope Line
Finding themselves constrained by just a single rope, the mannequins conspired to break free.
It was a very windy spring afternoon. I was in Lowell, Massachusetts running an errand — an errand of such importance that I don’t recall what it was. What I do recall is that I decided to turn that errand into a photo walk. I needed just an hour or two to scratch that itch.
Much like it was when I was growing up in Lowell in the 1960s and 70s, Central Street today is lined with little retail stores which are heavily reliant on foot-traffic to feed their business. Lowell has a very walkable downtown. But winters are tough here in New England. It is cold. Days are short. Foot traffic is low. When Spring pops, there is new life. Business picks up. Many of the retailers’ goods spill out onto the street looking to lure in customers. And that’s what you see here.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING:
F5.6
1/30 sec
ISO 200
17mm (34mm)