The Dupont Farmers Market
I recently moved into DC for the first time, to the small and ambiguous neighborhood of Cardozo. As I adapt to city life, an exciting new ritual has begun to form in my weekly life - the Sunday morning trip to the Dupont Farmers Market. Although this DC staple has been a semi-frequent subject of my photography for years now, visiting on a weekly basis has given me a new appreciation for the event. Returning to the same place week after week has notice the small and subtle changes around me, that a more irregular visitor might never notice.
The Market is one of the busiest-per-square-foot places in the District, not including the Mall. As such, it is a fantastic opportunity to practice street photography, training one’s eye to notice moments or patterns with little risk of being confronted. I enjoy looking out for the little more intimate moments that easily get lost in the bustle, or looking for captivating visual elements such as bright colors, intriguing lighting, or the organic character of the unprocessed-looking produce.
Over time, I have noticed several themes emerging from this project - matching colors. The bright colors of the fruit are often mirrored by the vibrant Dupont population. Hats seem to be another trigger, whether it be on vendors, guests, or illustrations on the signage. I also enjoy taking advantage of the close quarters to hone in on interesting textures, both on the produce and the fellow shoppers.
