Black Friday is a day of determination and resolve. Shoppers march out into the cold morning to wait in long lines with hundreds of other bargain-hunters.
This year I was given an unusual task -- to go out and document this event. Not with a camera, but with a sketch pad and pencils, to try to convey the feelings of the day.
As a Black Friday shopping virgin, the event wasn't what I expected.
At the stores I visited in New York City Friday morning, there was no frantic rush, no stampede or shoving. Instead, people seemed calm, quiet and respectful as they went about their business.
It was a bit crowded and claustrophobic at times, but many shoppers seemed interested just to stand in and take in the spectacle, as I was. In general, I learned that Black Friday means a lot of standing around and waiting, and not as much pounding on doors and trampling people.
I've included some quick sketches I rendered while watching the shoppers do their thing.
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