At work we often joke about our lack of abilities. Sometimes we call ourselves “Google Engineers” or “Google Navigators”. We say this because when we are trying to learn something new, our first stop is Google for code samples, etc. Also, if we have an obscure error message and cannot seem to find a solution, off to Google we go. Our jobs would be a lot harder were it not for this wonderful search engine!
I don’t know the names of many photographers, nor their work when I see it. If it were a membership requirement to be a photographer, I’d probably not be in the club. 
So, after reading this blog post by Chris Klug, off to my favorite search engine I went. Google. I had a look at the work of Jay Maisel, which I’d never seen before, nor had I heard his name.
Chris was talking about a podcast in The Candid Frame. Podcast #87, Jay Maisel. Chris alluded to a difference of opinion between George DeWolfe and Jay Maisel, between what he read from George’s book and heard in Jay’s podcast. So, away I went to do my homework. I wanted to hear the podcast so that I could be ready to discuss the differences, whatever they might be.
As is often the case, when I go to do one thing, something else happens. I listened to the podcast, which was enjoyable because of Mr. Maisel’s candor. Listener be warned, there is a bit of profanity in there. Not much, but more than I’ve ever heard in a photography podcast.
Jay Maisel really is in love with photography. You can tell the way he speaks of it. One thing really struck me and it’s something that I already knew, but, honestly, not something that I practice a lot. Jay said that one day one photographer, whose name escapes me, looked at his portfolio in the early years and said: You’re walking too fast. Jay said that he was taken aback and wondered how this guy knew that he was walking to fast. None of that information was in the photo! The mentor, let’s call him, told him that he could see that in his photography, the story never developed. It was one shot, then move on.
I have found, quite often, and then forgotten nearly as often, that when I pick a spot, especially when shooting photographs of people, that all manner of opportunity will pass right before you. He speaks of this quite well, saying that New York is the ultimate in opportunity. I would have to agree. You could pick a single corner, hang there for an hour and have image after wonderful image.
One might be tempted to say that this will only work on the streets of a busy city. I’d have to disagree because I’ve seen it work equally well in a quiet bit of woods or even in my own living room as I looked at the shadows doing their shape-shifting routines.
This is just something that I need to keep reminding myself of. Linger, tarry, delay, dawdle, all of those things that are so counterculture, so different from American culture as a whole.
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6 Responses to “Standing in one place”
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“Google-it.” Everyone does it. I do it from my iphone. More information than we will ever need.
And, yes I feel your right, we can stand at any corner and get some great images. Photographers over time will learn patience.
Great post, Paul. I’m certainly guilty of often walking too fast. Things happen so quickly these days it’s hard to break habits and slow down — always looking for that next great photograph just over the hill.
I rarely go out specifically for a photo shoot but I carry a camera with me fairly often. I find that just holding the camera in hand makes me walk a little slower. When an image appears I stop to capture it but I often find myself doing what’s becoming a little routine. I close my eyes for a moment and listen to the sounds (usually city noises since I tend to mostly be in cities) and notice any scents. Then with eyes open I look around and invariably find a number of images in the same area sometimes due to the noises or the scents. It usually makes me late for wherever I’m heading and can upset whoever I’m walking with but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Right?
Excellent post Paul, I also at times resort to google to solve programing problems so it is nice to know I am not alone.
As to standing still on a street corner, I have tried that however it gets a little embarrassing with all the folks trying to give me their spare change, so now I just try to walk a little slower.
I love it! Maybe I should try that with a cup. I’ll stand in one place, take pictures, and place a cup at my feet. Then people can assume what they want. Gear money!!! I like it.
Funny, Paul, but when Jay said this in the podcast, my ears stood up. I do that exact thing as well, and the next time I street shoot, I will find one place and just plant myself there and see what happens.
I can’t wait.