I had just emerged from behind the main stage when I saw something I’ve never seen in 25 years of festival going. A full on fist fight between two women.
It took me a moment to process what was happening before instinct kicks in and I go for my camera. Three quick shots, followed by a fourth.
They aren’t great shots. The decisive moment had passed in my moment of hesitation. However there is something I find quite remarkable about the sequences of images.
The woman in the red poncho had been fighting the woman in white.
The man in grey was trying to keep them apart. I’m not sure if the man in black was involved or not.
The first three shots were taken in under a second.
The fourth shot, three seconds later as I panned to follow the woman in white.
But look at this woman in the transparent poncho, she doesn’t move. For at least four seconds, whilst a fist fight is taking place within feet of her, she doesn’t move. She doesn’t step back, doesn’t raise her arms, doesn’t flinch, doesn’t turn her head to follow the action.
She remains perfectly still.
I’ve no idea is she has ice water running through her veins; a very strong freeze response to danger; or was totally stoned.