More to Say Regarding a Walkabout

A Walkabout is similar to leaving home with your camera at your side intending to capture life as it impinges upon you. A lack of destination is inferred, but usually I have in mind a direction, or a general destination. At a recent talk held at the B&H Event Space, the speaker mentioned something that should be routine for every photographer. Go out and practice to hone your skills.

I said to myself, a Walkabout could be considered practice. Yet the time expended must be secondary to scanning the horizon, rather in New York, the sidewalks, for a sight worthy of capture. I almost want to say, on film; but those days have nearly passed.

On my web site, I have a gallery entitled “WALKABOUT: New York.” My intent during my search is to capture images that convey a feeling, a design, or a color. Refining my technical skills has always been an unconscious component, but now will be more top-of-mind.

So, as reinforced by the speaker, to capture the near-perfect image under pressure, your skills should come into play instantly, with little thought required. While on a Walkabout, tick off a checklist: gauge the lighting, look for the best perspective, confirm the right exposure and speed settings, frame, and press the shutter. In other words, practice and learn to be prepared before the near-perfect shot passes before your viewfinder. So, when on assignment, or in my case, while traveling, get the shot you want with the least effort.

Why do I use the term “near-perfect.” Well, I know of nothing that is perfect. In terms of a photo, be prepared for 98% perfection in an instant.

After leaving B&H this particular day, I was attracted by window reflections and others things along 34th Street while walking east toward Broadway.

I need to practice my "panning" technique a bit more, but I like this image anyway.

Women Photographers -- Panel Discussion

Recently, I attended a seminar held to commemorate Women’s Awareness Month, sponsored by B&H Photo. Discussion panels and talks by working photographers at their Event Space, held free, are something I frequently attend to learn about new products, introductions to popular ones, or to listen to travel photographers talk about their experiences. How else could I see a demonstration of the rule of thirds, which helps tremendously with visualization, an important step before pushing the shutter button. Or see the latest in flash gear for my camera.

But I digress; the seminar was a panel discussion among five outstanding and talented women photographers, moderated by Jackie King, who traveled to New York from London especially for the seminar. The other speakers included: Lauren Steel, Cig Harvey, Renee Cox and Anne Arden McDonald (who I heard speak at the Alternative Methods panel presented by F295). The presentations focused on personal work, especially self-portraits, but other remarks ranged more widely.

What was the take-away from the presentation? One, the slideshows emphasized how every photographer has a unique view of their surroundings. The speakers talked about their backgrounds, approaches and particular viewpoints. Some good questions too: does feminine energy play a part in the creation of the final image. Lauren Steel , manager of Reportage at Getty Images, acknowledged that women can gain entry into certain places that men could not as easily, she spoke about some men’s work reflecting sensitivity and emotion. Factors often considered features of a woman’s creative output. Even this is not always the case, Anne Arden McDonald considered her universal, wide range appeal as a sales point. Her imagery is used to define herself, to address tensions and struggles in her life that are often common to many people, men and women.

This issue also addressed the inclination of women to include themselves in their work. Cig Harvey’s photographs are meant to reflect the resolution of certain circumstances in her life. As well, she wants to tell a story through her imagery; she brainstorms to find ideas, to make order out of chaos, beauty out of pain. Self-portraits are a way to remember, be a trigger to recall past life events. Equally, the exploration can lead to new adventures, to learn to exist more in the present. In this manner, Harvey is using less constructed imagery, in favor of more reality-based ones. And in a manner of speaking, Renee Cox could be considered totally reality-based. After working as a fashion photographer, she consciously focused on her personal work which is quite distinctive and at times was controversial. Her new work addresses feminine issues in a quirky way.

Jackie King revealed a lighthearted side to her work that emerged from her two year stay in the United States. Recently she had a marathon shoot to document 100 women; 100 portraits were recently on view in a London exhibition.

Dear readers, I will leave you with two questions. One brought by a panelist, who was once asked: Why was she an artist? The second question came from the audience, asked of the panelists: Do you construct your work from your head, your heart or your groin?

[Images: International Working Women's Day Rally, March 27, 2010; Union Square, New York, NY.]