When the lights go out.

I didn’t bring a flashlight. Well, I did but I left it in the car.
Hadn’t thought about it, really, because everything that I was planning on shooting that night was well lit, allowing the tourists ample ambient light for viewing the monumental glory. I had one speedlight in my bag, but hadn’t taken it out.
Then the lights went out and the screaming started.
I was kneeling on the floor digging through a backpack pocket one moment, the next I couldn’t see. The middle school tour group, as middle school tour group kids will do, began hooping and hollering in the dark, phone flashlights and screens tracing the walls and floor. I had an idea.
20sec exposure. One remote flash per shadow. Middle School tour group supplied the ambient. Ninety seconds later the lights came back on.
On my way out, I asked one of the guards if the light situation was normal. He said no. Never happened before.
Hooray timing.

This is what it looks like with the lights on:

-Alex who is thankful for the person who accidentally leaned against the switch.