shootstories

One of my photog inspirations is Chase Jarvis.   He recently did a keynote address at a photography forum.  It brings out a lot of why he inspires me and largely, stuff I believe in  (yes, some cliches but…. that’s the Pollyanna in me).

Things like the sense of community and bringing together different people and disciplines to approach an issue (or art).   The idea of getting things out there, sharing them rather than keeping them to ourselves (“someone puts something out, everyone benefits”).  How that creates a kind of energy that recreates itself in other ways.  The reality that we (our generation) are defining new ways of doing things.  The ability that technologies today enable us to get things out on a scale and in a way not possible before – in particular – directly, rather than through an intermediary.

The clip is a little lengthy and includes both the speech and panel discussion, but worth it for the perspective put forward.  Brought to you via Chase’s mantra – SHARE.

The past 4 days I have had the good fortune to do a workshop with prized social documentary photographer, David Trattles.  What an inspiration.  As described by Harry Nowell who put on the workshop, “social documentary photography refers to a body of work that represents the social fabric of a people, community or event.  If ‘photojournalism’ is represented as a single word, ‘social documentary photography’ is an essay.”  I was naturally drawn to this opportunity as the notion of storytelling through photos deeply resonates with me.  In fact, it is this type of photography that has me hooked and is the genesis of shootstories.

David is the type of individual you meet that makes you see and think about the world a little differently.  He certainly left an impression and many takeaways.  It’s not just about the final image, but the process of getting there that makes it worth it.  Step back from looking through the viewfinder and envisioning the final product, instead go with the feeling.  Everyone has a story to tell.  You can find a lot of extraordinary, in the ordinary.

The following series is my homework from day 1.  The assignment.  Spend 10-15 minutes tops.  Take a series of photos.  All different but include family members, a self-portrait, favorite thing/place at home.  Oh, and most importantly “shoot without looking through the viewfinder!”

the day starts

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