Issue 176 of the SNYC Newsletter
Greetings everyone. High season is here and I’m working a ton. So I’m a few days off regular schedule putting out this edition of the newsletter.
The activity and experience of photography is what I live for and I meet so many amazing people on this journey. Many of the topics that I write about are about the questions and concerns that people have shooting street photography. This issue is no different.
Thanks for subscribing and reading and a really big thank you to everyone who has taken my street photography workshops and photo tours. I am very fortunate to make a living doing what I love.
As always, happy shooting! If you’re not happy shooting I’d love to hear about. Perhaps there’s a good way to change that. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
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.
Perfection?
I don’t know what the opposite of perfection is in art. People often think that they want to take perfect photos. But typically after having a conversation about it they change their mind.
What is a perfect photo is really open to interpretation. Hopefully it means something different for everyone. Which is to say that we are not all looking to take the same photo.
I am not a fan of overly technical photos which I believe are often mistaken for perfect photos. Okay, it’s a matter of taste. You don’t need to agree with me on this. That’s okay.
I actually go out of my way to make less than perfect photos. Unlikely photos. Chance photos. Creative photography.
I use my cameras as paint brushes. Spontaneously working with those things that are there before my eyes. I find great joy in making multiple exposure photos as they can provide odd juxtapositions.
A still photo provides a single point of view. Multiple exposures, when they work, provide a depth that isn’t really possible otherwise. Though sometimes reflections work quite well.
Too often people approach street photography as a paint-by-numbers genre. While it’s good to spend time looking at the work of other photographers and learn the basics, it’s also good to experiment and see what happens.
Why would you want to copy someone else’s photos and style when you can find your own style? I always work to help people explore and most importantly, to actively take photos that reflect what they like.
Street photography should be fun and there are many many different ways to do it. Yesterday, I worked with someone having him hold the camera to his chest and just shoot. Forget the viewfinder. Forget previews. Just shoot.
What is your idea of a perfect photo? Street photography is for me, an activity. And it is very enjoyable to be out on the streets shooting. For the most part, I’m not previewing my photos.
Though when I’m teaching it is necessary to show people what I’ve captured to give them an idea. But once you get into the groove, just keep shooting. It’s a rhythm that can be disrupted by constantly previewing, especially if you missed a shot.
I don’t really think of any of my photos as perfect. Sometimes I like them for 15 minutes. Sometimes longer. But I’m always looking for the next way that I can shoot and the next photo that I like and always for the next day of shooting.
Biweekly Photo Assignment - Abstract Street
Abstract Street can be so many things; reflections, shadows, minimalism, multiple exposures etc. It’s always about being creative.
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.
The app is a very cool way to read this and many other newsletters at your leisure. The archive of the Shoot New York City newsletter is available for the issues published on Substack. Thanks for subscribing and reading.
Further Viewing
I happened upon this fun video that provides some methods to capture photos that look like Wes Anderson films!
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!
Perhaps the idea of perfect photos comes from perfect guys like HCB and his perfect decisive moment...
"...paint-by-numbers genre." Very spot on. I'm aware of it, but sometimes succumb to it. A picture with a color match isn't good just because of that match, as some people seems to believe (sorry, got to let some steam out...) .
Perfection. I like Robert Frank more than Cartier-Bresson. More feelings, more imperfections. But in a way he was perfect, perhaps.
When I post a photo I (almost) always have some kind of feel for it, it represents something I like or is looking for. But then when I look back I often find that it was insufficient or not as good as I thought. I think posting (on ig or elsewhere) is a way of progressing, seeing what you do. Or what do you think, would it be good to work for some time before I post? Great reading, Leanne. And as always there is this great vitality in your photos. Don't forget to sit down and have a coffe and relax a little now and then...