I just received Street Photography — Creative Vision Behind the Lens by Valérie Jardin and decided to write down some thoughts I had. That's what a journal is for, isn't it?
If you have been reading my previous journal posts, you know I signed up for one of her workshops on street photography (doesn't happen until December... I'll talk about the workshop then!). In preparation for the event, I thought it would be a good idea to purchase her new book and see what I could look forward to. Although I've visited her website, read her Twitter feed, seen her work on Instagram, watched her videos on Facebook, and just started listening to her podcast, I have never actually met her, so don't really know how her personal process unfolds. You actually have to meet someone to understand the steps they take and inner thoughts they have on their elusive search for the decisive moment. The book promised to be a glimpse into these inner workings. The first part of the book is an overview of methods used in street photography. She discusses her approach to street photography, which is good since I have no idea what I'm doing in that regard. There are some standard photo techniques, a bit about legal issues, and some assignments to try out. This is all good stuff, and it got me hungry for more. There were some great pointers about street photography, and the assignments gave me ideas on how to start. And then there is the second part of the book... The decisive moment clearly shows in all her work, and it's the second part of the book where you get the feel of workshop excitement. Do you know that part of a workshop where you've met everyone, you've talked a bit, you've seen some examples and you're ready and raring to go out and shoot shoot shoot? That's the entire raison d'être of this part of the book. Valérie shows you an image, then walks you through her thinking process when she created it. I felt I was walking with her, thinking about the subject in front of the camera, trying to capture that feel, that light, that magical moment. She speaks of personal feelings (the loneliness she felt when a friend could not meet her), the challenges of waiting for the right subject ('Several tourists entered my frame, but none were interesting enough...'), the satisfaction of capturing something special ('It never gets old!'). This is what makes reading her book and viewing her images inspirational... those stories behind the work that become a part of the vision and give it that personal touch that makes an image extraordinary. Through her images and her writing, she offers the viewer a window into her thought processes, her technique, and her love of street photography and humanity. And this is powerful stuff! It's rare to find a photography book that can emulate that feeling you get as you search for inspiration. There are many books that can detail the steps of a process, but for the most part, they are dry and tedious. Step by step instructions are for manuals, not for photographic creativity. The text that accompanies her images provides emotional background and sets the scene for that creativity. If this book is any indication of what her workshops are like, I can't wait to be a part of one! So now on to personal reflection. After 30 years and more in photography – from those early days of college, to working in the field, to teaching – I have never ceased the need to learn something new. For a time, when digital began to eclipse traditional film and chemistry, I did lose heart, but now that I've realigned my thinking and have become excited about the digital possibilities, I have a voracious need to absorb everything I can of this new paradigm. I have been gobbling up videos by Ben Long, scanning Instagram for photographic inspiration, and following image creators on Twitter. But why do I do this? What is my ultimate goal? Not sure I can answer that, not really. I can say I feel satisfied to learn new things, to not get stuck in a rut or just feel like I'm fading away. And that's important... but more of an objective than a goal. So now I have to go away and think a bit to figure out my goal. Do I even have one? If I do, how does it impact my life? That's what I get for starting this journal!
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