Issue 170 of the SNYC Newsletter
Greetings everyone and Happy New Year! All kinds of expectations come with the beginning of a new year even though it’s just one more day. Either way you look at it, I don’t make too many new years resolutions anymore. The only that I have is to make progress with my photography, art and writing.
For me, making progress means finding new and different ways to do what I’m already doing. I could’ve written better. But experimenting is a process all by itself and the better results are not usually immediate or as expected.
So part of the process is always about looking back and seeing what went right and what could be better and switching up how I’m doing what I’m doing. I do all kinds of photography and even when it comes to street, I don’t confine myself to one style. Perhaps that is not a method that will gain me a huge social media following. C’est la vie.
Photos in this issue are all film photos taken with a newly acquired Ricoh GR1 film camera given to me by a friend. Film is one way to switch things up. But that said, I continue to shoot digital in my workshops. I am not a one or the other person. Yes, you can do both.
Thank you to everyone who has attended my workshops and written reviews. And thank you to all you readers. I share my experiences in street photography so that perhaps you will gain something from this. Your comments and questions are always welcome and feel free to share this newsletter.
Happy Shooting and Happy New Year of Shooting!
The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in seeing with new eyes. Marcel Proust
I love coffee as much as I love photography. 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.
Inspiration
Inspiration. The eternal search for the muse. The first thing to know about inspiration is that it’s not automatic. It can’t be turned on like a light switch. Even in ideal situations it might not find you.
I’m not an athlete and I haven’t been to the gym since the pandemic began. But I imagine if you’re a marathon runner there are days when you have to really push yourself to run and others when you get a runners high with less effort. Not all days are created equally.
A number of factors go into being able to find inspiration on any given day for me. While it can be elusive, there are certain things that you can do to help find it. The first thing is to not set yourself up for disappointment by making a New Years resolution that is difficult to achieve.
We all have different needs for being able to be in top form for a day of shooting. For me the most important is having a good night’s sleep and a good cup or two of coffee in the morning. It’s difficult to be inspired when you don’t get your basic needs. Photography looks easy. Looks can be deceiving.
Preparation is everything. The night before I go out shooting I make certain that I have clean SD cards and fully charged batteries. Batteries don’t like really cold or really hot temperatures. There’s nothing worse than running out of batteries or space on a card when you’re out shooting. If you were inspired then you’ve killed that opportunity. If not, inspiration will feel even more elusive.
I always take a few shots with the camera to make certain that it’s still working. I do worry that I’ll be going to give a workshop with a camera that isn’t functioning. But with digital cameras that happens more often than with film.
Since I provide both private and group workshops all year around except during extreme weather, I have learned how to dress for success. Comfortable shoes are really important. Preparing for rain, cold and even heat is necessary. We always take breaks when needed. Sitting down for 15 minutes can make all the difference.
If I skip doing any of these steps, my ability to be inspired diminishes. When shooting street I try to give it all of my attention and to forget about everything else that isn’t involved in the act of shooting.
As I mentioned earlier, expectations are a killer. Inspiration and street photography are spontaneous. You can’t plan them and if I could I’d probably quit doing it. When it becomes routine and predictable the thrill is gone. Go with the flow is my best advice. Observe your environment and capture it.
Prepare yourself body and mind for a day of shooting and then wander out into the world with your vision tuned into the place where you are. Just stand and look around for those things that capture your attention. As always, Happy Shooting!
2022 Faves Photo Contest
Unless I hear from people reading this newsletter who aren’t in the Facebook group for Shoot New York City, then it will remain within the group and I will only post the winners in the newsletter. Thanks!
Biweekly Photo Assignment - Experimentation
Experimentation need not be radical. Creativity is always a plus. Certainly multiple exposures are experimentation. But there’s so many other ways and I leave it open to you. Yes, continue to post your faves from 2022.
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.
Further Viewing
Switching up how you shoot is a good method of finding inspiration.
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!
Shoot New York City Newsletter
all the best (and more) for 2023, Leanne