Issue 128 of the SNYC Newsletter
Greetings everyone! It has been exactly one year since the pandemic lockdown hit New York City. One year ago today was my last workshop for about 4 months. It has been slowly picking up again. And I got my vaccination! The one and done Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Meanwhile, social distancing and mask wearing is still very much in effect and mandatory for workshops and tours. I've had the pleasure of meeting a number of new people and seeing many repeat customers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It has been fabulous.
If you bought a gift certificate for future use, as so many did, and you’ll be in the area, let me know. If you live in the US, you are now able to visit New York City without a 14 day quarantine. All other travel to the US still requires quarantine. But perhaps that may change in the next month or two. We can still hope.
Many, not all, of the states in the US just changed their clocks to Daylight Savings Time. Many other countries do the same on different dates. Have you changed the time in your camera?
I hope that you’re doing well and as always, happy shooting!
The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in seeing with new eyes. Marcel Proust
Caution
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Did you know?
You can like the newsletter at the top and at the bottom of this issue? You can also share it on all of the usual platforms. And, best yet, you can comment! Yes, your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Dialogue is cool.
Photography is Life
One of the most common topics that comes up again and again is the critique of photographic styles and methods and the tools of the trade used in photography. Yes, a camera is merely a tool and the person who takes the photo makes the photo.
Yes, there are limitations to every and all tools. That is the only reason to have more than one lens or camera. It is rare that one size fits all your needs. But much can be done with less.
The true art is to be the master of your tools. All that really means is that you’re able to produce pleasing results. The entire process is about how you use the tools that are available to you. Period.
I didn’t write the rules—why should I follow them? - W. Eugene Smith
If you choose to manipulate your photography in camera or after the fact, that’s your choice and you really shouldn’t feel that you are a lesser photographer for it. But again and again I hear people stating that they feel a necessity to follow some rule book that some ‘authority’ preaches.
People are critical of so many things in photography and in life as well. I often hear people talk about how they don’t process their photos. Or they don’t crop them and the list goes on and on including shooting in manual mode! Whatever.
The so-called rules of photography are made by people who would like you to buy into their hype. Not everything works for everyone! How about that? You don’t have to or need to fit in.
There are many who would like for you to think that their way is the best or even the only way. The idea that we should all follow the same rules in photography, art or for that matter, life, is no different than believing that we should all conform in our daily lives.
I think that we can safely say that we are in a major shift of consciousness and are entering into a post-binary world. In other words, we do not all need to fit neatly into a category.
My one and only rule for people that take my workshops is that they respect humanity. If you don’t respect people you shouldn’t be shooting street photography. After that the choices are personal.
The only certain thing is that things are always changing and we need to be flexible. Photography and life have changed dramatically as a result of the pandemic. But not all the changes have been bad.
Actually, there is one other rule. If you want to call your photography street photography, it needs to be candid and unposed. Easy peasy. I personally find it rather annoying when people call their work street photography when it clearly isn’t.
The genre that you shoot should be secondary. Shoot what inspires you and if it doesn’t neatly fit into an existing genre, don’t worry about it. In my experience, much of my photography, art and creative writing do not easily fit in. Actually, I’ve never really fit in!
My job as a photography mentor is to provide encouragement for you to develop your own style. It takes courage to do so and it is always a moving target. The path in photography occurs in parallel to your path in life. They are same thing.
Photography is life and photography during the pandemic has illuminated that. Many of you have shifted your style of photography. The shift is evident in so many ways including the compassion that is embedded in the images.
One photographer in England and another in Australia have been doing street portraits close to home and they exhibit as much about the photographer as the subject.
While we typically focus on a number of different aspects of street photography and the particular aspects about the neighborhood that we’re in, we also take to strangers on the street. And sometimes we do street portraits of people who just appear in front of our cameras.
Street photography can be challenging for many to do. Yes, it takes courage to shoot street. It also takes some courage to develop your own style. The process of maturing in life and in photography are very similar. In both cases it’s about experimenting and making mistakes.
Wisdom is really nothing more than making mistakes and learning from them. The opposite of wisdom is theory. Many photographers have theories. Just because a theory works for some, doesn’t mean that it should work for you.
If you are struggling in your photography, I invite you to send me your questions and concerns. I would like to post them here in the newsletter. Your name and privacy will be respected. But we can all learn from and relate to the challenges that photography and especially street photography can present.
The important this is to know that having a mentor and knowing that others are also experiencing challenges can be very helpful in providing encouragement to continue on your photographic journey.
Photo Assignment for the next 2 Weeks - Light & Shadows
Without light there is no photography. The combination of light and shadows or silhouettes can create very dynamic photos even of very mundane things and they can also provide a very minimalistic photography.
As usual, the photography assignment is open to your interpretation and it can include people or not. And it’s alway about having fun.
If you don’t use any of the social media, you can send me a photo and it’s also possible that I can add it to an upcoming newsletter if you like.
Don’t be afraid to post creative photos. As well, if you want to supply us with information about the photo that’s great. It gives others a reason to comment on them. Also, it’s maybe best to post them individually so they don’t get buried.
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 @shootnycity. If you're not a member of the Facebook group yet, all you have to do is request to join.
It would be great if as a group people would comment on photos submitted as well. Let's have fun! Happy shooting and sharing! And you can connect with other people that you share an interest with.
Further Viewing
I was not familiar with the work of David Goldblatt before seeing this video. I really like how Alex Kilbee is able to create these short videos that provide a very good overview of the work of a particular photographer. One of the things that really stood out about Goldblatt’s work for me is what isn’t in the frame and the things that are only partially visible.
Upcoming Workshops
Workshops are now a maximum of 3 people. Social distancing and masks are required. And with fewer people in each workshop everyone can gain even more individual attention.
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!