Clowning Around Town

It all began when I was researching Chaplin's outfit for a Halloween costume and discovered this website. I've loved old movies since I was a kid. When I was around 10, my aunt gave me a book about old movies, which I looked through until the spine cracked and the pages fell out (still have it). One image in the book that has always stuck with me is the little fellow walking off down a country lane, iris closing in around him. I also remember having a school book, where a previous student had drawn Chaplin in the lower right-hand corners of the pages, turning it into a flip book. (You'd see him waddling away.) When I saw the post about this contest, I wanted to enter. I love putting together costumes and make-up.

For weeks I hunted through second-hand and costume shops for pieces and test drove them Halloween night. I enlisted the help of a photographer friend and we planned to take the photos the last Sunday of November. I had been up til the wee hours putting finishing touches on the costume and we hit the streets early, driving all over the city and county shooting photos. The weather forecast called for sunny skies and mild temps. Lucky for us, it was overcast, windy, cold and a little misty!

As the day wore on, the weather became worse; the winds increased and the mist became a relentless cold drizzle. The final locale was an old country church situated in a field in the middle of nowhere. My friend has taken photos of the church before and said she'd never had anyone drive up while she was there. A while later...a vehicle drove up. We both got nervous and were trying to hurry and take the Gold Rush shot. A family was in the vehicle and as it turns out, they were spending the day taking photos. Their daughter, who was about 16 got out and said, "Hey, Charlie, can I take your picture?" That made the day worthwhile.

Just want to say Thank You to the Chaplin website staff and to everyone for a great time and fun contest. Congrats to h_essey, silent twenties and dingoesatemycamera, you all have amazing photos! I would get excited when someone posted their pictures because everybody had so many fresh and clever ideas. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to vote for everybody.

A very special thanks to V. Royall, a real trouper and talented photographer, who withstood the wind and cold to take the photos.

Bowlers off to everyone!

Thanks Again For a Great Time,

Meeximus

P.S. Congratulations to Israelhatikvah, Jolie Albee and Mein for such cute photos.

21 Jan, 2008--Very saddened to hear news of Heath Ledger.