Issue 159 of the SNYC Newsletter
Greetings everyone!
You know it’s easy to get stuck into a method of shooting and stick with it without really thinking about it. That’s a good thing until it no longer works for you. So this issue is about looking at different methods of shooting.
Note - A new photographer profile will be featured in the next issue.
Thank you to all the new subscribers and everyone that took a workshop with me. It’s such a pleasure to meet everyone from so many different backgrounds and approaches to photography.
As always, Happy Shooting.
The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in seeing with new eyes. Marcel Proust
I love coffee and I love it when I get treated to one :-) But 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 again. Mucho love.
On Photographic Styles
Do you have a style or styles that you work in? Are you settled in it? I have a few styles that I am always working with and always adapting. Perfection is not something that I am working towards.
It might be easier to think about how photographic style changes over time like you would think about music. The Beatles are an excellent example of the diversity of styles in music that can be achieved. A difficult act to follow.
Like music, not everyone is going to like your photos or perhaps a new style that you venture into. But that shouldn’t deter you from pursuing it. Photography is a form of self expression. I hope that I can provide you with the courage to follow your path.
In photography the changes need not be so extreme and maybe it’s more subtle than that. Over time we move towards different tastes and subjects. In film photography you could use different film, different lenses or even different sizes, like medium format.
As I’ve written recently, I’ve been shooting jpg and raw simultaneously with the jpgs square and with film recipes mostly monochrome. It has changed the way that I see and shoot and I’m very happy with the results so far.
There are a few different methods to look at and how you can move forward with your photography. I mention this because lately I’ve heard people expressing a feeling of being a bit bored with their photos.
Style mostly comes from how you perceive your environment and translate that to a photographic image; how you relate to and connect with your subject and what you decide to leave in or out of the frame. Dana Lixenberg
My mantra is shoot often, experiment and don’t be afraid of making so-called mistakes. Also, spend time looking at the photos of others and incorporate the elements that you see in their work into yours.
So you can start with your camera and the way that you shoot with it for starters. Changing your focal length is one way to see things differently, to see with new eyes. The recommendation of many photographers is to shoot with one fixed focal length lens for a year. It will change the way you see and shoot. I’m shooting almost entirely with a fixed focal length lens on the Fuji X100V and really liking it.
Exploring the different modes available in your camera is another thing that you can do. Recently a workshop attendee was shooting street photography entirely in manual mode without making many adjustments during the workshop. That’s kind of like shooting film. Maybe you just change the aperture when needed.
My work is a process of making, thinking, and then remaking. The process reveals unconscious wishes, things I didn’t even know I was thinking about. Justine Kurland
As well, you can focus on different subjects. The biweekly photo assignments are designed with that in mind. During the height of the pandemic many people were forced to shoot things that they don’t normally shoot. It’s good to try out new things.
A few of my favorite things to shoot are shadows, silhouettes, reflections and of course basic street photography. I love to capture people in motion and also single people. Just one person. Don’t try too many things all at once.
The biggest problem with photography is that it looks easy and we can fall into the trap of thinking we should be able to do something quickly. If there’s a style that you really want to achieve you have to keep working on it. Give it time and effort.
I highly suggest having a website. You don’t have to want to make money from photography and you don’t need to spend money to create it. It’s about having a portfolio. A body of work where you can see the photos that represent your style. You can assess your work and update it with new work. You can see your development and where you want to take your next steps with it.
You can also keep a photography journal for your ideas and influences as well as things that you’d like to try out. You can go analog with it. Or you can use a number of different apps that you can insert photos and written comments as well.
I provide Composition and the Art of Photography one-on-one sessions online. They are a combination of portfolio review and working towards further developing your style. They start at 3 one hour sessions for $150 and include assignments. If you’re interested, contact me and we can discuss it further. It’s a good method of kickstarting your photography.
As a photographer, artist and writer, perhaps the most difficult thing is curating your own work. It’s often more helpful to have someone else look at your work and see the threads and direction. If you are considering having a portfolio review done, keep in mind that the person reviewing your work should be creating work in a similar style to what you’d like to achieve.
Reader’s Comment
The Shoot New York City newsletter exists for you, the readers. And, your comments and suggestions are always welcome. One of the major issues of social media sites is that there’s no dialogue.
There is so much that we can all share about our experiences in photography and it’s so easy to comment on the newsletter. Just hit reply in your email or on the button below.
Biweekly Photo Assignment -Singles
One person is not typical in street photography. Normally we expect to see crowds or at least interaction. Minimalism is one possibility. There is often something poetic about just one person in a photo.
As usual, you can interpret this assignment and don’t be afraid to post creative photos. I think that it should really be an enjoyable exercise.
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.
Shoot New York City Shop
A number of people have asked me if I sell prints of my photos. I recently created a shop on my website and at the moment I only have a few photos in it. I will be adding more in time. If there’s a photo that you would like to purchase let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
Further Viewing:
Some food for thought, photographic ideas.
Upcoming Workshops:
Workshops are a maximum of 5 people (with the exception of the Coney Island workshop). Workshops are only being 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! The new Substack App is a very cool way to access this and many other newsletters.
Great tips. Thanks.