I did my civic duty and voted. I did some work and went to a meeting. I went home and watched the election returns, McCain’s concession speech, Obama’s acceptance speech. I thought about going to bed. Then something strange happened… people started to celebrate.

     A huge, spontaneous street party erupted just two blocks from my studio. Thousands of people poured into the streets. Seattle is one of the most liberal cities in the US, and voted overwhelmingly for Obama. Seattle, obviously, was happy with the results of the election. Very happy. How could I pass that up?

     I decided to go light: one camera body, 2 small lenses, no flash, no tripod. Totally guerrilla. I shot until about 2:00am. The lighting was terrible. All the shots were completely spontaneous.

     People were screaming non-stop. I don’t know if my photos can convey the sense of manic celebration. I called my mother in the middle of it (probably waking her up), and held my cell phone up, just so she could hear all the shouting. A gay bar set up a speaker system on the roof, and a drag queen led the crowd in a rousing (if camp) chorus of the Star Spangled Banner. Police wisely didn’t try to break it up; they simply blocked off about a 4 square block area, and let the party go. Around 1:00am, a similar street party that was going on in the University District marched up to Capitol Hill, and merged with the party where I was. A few people got lifted into the air and passed along like in a mosh pit. I was doused with champagne once (I fear my camera will be pretty sticky in the morning). If the constant cheering, shouting, and singing wasn’t enough, there were also bottle rockets and firecrackers. Good times.

     So… on with the pictures (click “Read More” below to see 15 more photos):

Bottle rockets

Update: someone shot video (not mine):

(not my video)