I don’t normally talk to mannequins. So I approached the store owner. Being a photographer sometimes requires considerable personal heroism. I said “Do you think your man in the window would mind if I took his photo?” What ensued was a high level discussion on the types of men that existed in New Zealand in the 1950′s. I put my theory to him even though I knew I was going out on a ledge. I said “There were only two types of men back in those days, the country guy in his checked shirt and corduroy trousers and the urban dandy. This guy, your man in the window, is without doubt all dandy from his well developed chest to his foppish hair and exceedingly handsome chin.”

Silence

I took the shot.

My medal was already in the mail.

Silver print