Issue 174 of the SNYC Newsletter
Greetings everyone. New issue, new month and changing weather. I like many different styles of photography and I also shoot in a number of different ways. In this issue I am writing about how Daido Moriyama has influenced my photography both in how I shoot and the style.
I always suggest experimenting with different styles AND looking at the work of other photogers, especially in books. Perhaps it’s not so different than dressing in different styles. It takes time and practice. It’s also a lot of fun.
Thank you to all the new subscribers and everyone that has taken my workshops! I’ve been providing street photography workshops and photo tours for 13+ years now and it’s how I make my living. I am an indie business and I couldn’t do it without you. Mucho thanks.
As always, Happy Shooting! If you’re not happy shooting, I’d like to hear why.
The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in seeing with new eyes. Marcel Proust
I write this newsletter to share my thoughts & experiences on street photography. I hope that you find it of use in your journey. If you are able to, you can support me by buying me a coffee. No sweat if you’re unable to contribute. The newsletter is free for all. Thanks to everyone who has bought me a coffee!!! Maybe one day we’ll be able to have a coffee in person. Mucho love.
Inspired by Daido Moriyama
Inspiration comes in many forms. I don’t go out shooting with the idea that I want to shoot like Moriyama or any other photographers. In fact, I look at photos and read about photographers so much that I no longer think about where it all comes from.
With Moriyama it isn’t about wanting to take photos just like his. Rather it’s a kind of aesthetic. His approach is really no frills. Snapshots don’t take any forethought. You just shoot.
The gritty monochromes mean that the eye focuses on the subject without distractions. Moriyama is an acquired taste. Not everyone likes his work. They represent one end of a spectrum of photographers whose work I really admire. (Saul Leiter is at the opposite end. )
Forget everything you’ve learned on the subject of photography for the moment, and just shoot. Take photographs - of anything and everything, whatever catches your eye. Don’t pause to think. That’s the advice that I give people. Daido Moriyama, How I Take Photographs.
There is a particular visual style that is uniquely Moriyama. His method of shooting is also something that I admire. Just shoot. His book How I Take Photographs, is one that I highly suggest. It’s very straight forward, no nonsense advice.
So part of what goes into the look of his photos is very much about how he shoots. If you’re always focused on composing your street photos, you will likely miss out on the spontaneity of his style.
When I am able to achieve photos that I call inspired by Daido Moriyama, it’s usually because I am walking and shooting at the same time. Either shooting from the hip or lift and shoot when something captures my eye.
One of the challenges in shooting in this manner is trying to get over things like angles, blur and blown highlights. This is not easy or even desirable for many photographers. I guess I’ve always pushed the limits to see where things would go.
But it’s only after seeing other photographers do this that I came to embrace a style which many ‘serious’ photographers shun. Yes, I’ve mentioned my dislike of ‘perfect’ photos in the past. It’s not my style. I’m not perfect and neither are my photos.
The photographer should just shoot whatever he observes, using all his senses, and if possible unselectively. Daido Moriyama, How I Take Photographs.
There’s something really liberating about shooting in this manner. It is similar to shooting film with toy cameras or point and shoot cameras. Point and shoot! Voila. It’s easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles of digital photography.
The joy of the activity of shooting street photography is enough for me. The farther I get away from the long drawn out process of editing photos the happier that I am. I love it when my jpgs don’t need any processing, or film photos come out just as I’d hoped or even shooting Polaroids.
I shoot because I love to shoot and I really like Moriyama’s photographic style and his words about how he shoots the streets. It’s very refreshing. It’s not about gear, technology, processing and all the multitude of topics that get discussed in the mainstream.
What or who inspires you? Do you like Moriyama? Or not? I’d love to hear what you have to say about this and I’ll start another chat about this. To use Chat you need to have the app. which is a very cool to read this and many other fabulous newsletters.
Further Viewing
You’ll need to watch this video with CC (closed captioning) as it is in Japanese. It is well worth hearing Moriyama talk about his photography.
Biweekly Photo Assignment - Monochrome or One Dominant Color
Monochromatic photos have a tendency to highlight the subject without distraction. Moriyama (see the video above) finds color vulgar. Post monochrome or one dominant color photos. They can be straight ahead photography or abstract,
This is a voluntary assignment if you want to take part. You can submit your photos to the Facebook group for Shoot New York City and also on Instagram tag @shootnewyorkcity. If you're not a member of the Facebook group yet, all you have to do is request to join.
Upcoming Workshops
Workshops are a maximum of 5 people Workshops are only scheduled on weekend days. If you would like to have a weekday workshop or a workshop in other areas of NYC, let me know with some lead time and I’ll see if others want to also attend it. Otherwise I continue to provide private workshops on weekdays and in other neighborhoods.
For those who haven't done a workshop or photo tour with me in the past I have a number of reviews on my website and also on TripAdvisor! Workshops are both for people who live here and also travelers, as are photo tours.
Photo tours are one-on-one and arranged on an individual basis for both neighborhood and photographic style and can be designed as a workshop as well. They are customized to your interests and level. Thank you for your patience and Stay Safe!
After reading this post I ordered Moriyama's book, I just had the Thames and Hudson one. And It's today here. It's a beautiful book and probably useful, thanks for your feedback
I only have limited exposure to his work. Would love to see more of it. I too get stuck trying to take a perfect photo only to realize that it doesn’t exist.