As with so many different hobbies, photography is one of those that can be enjoyed as much in a group or alone. My introduction to photography started with a few workshops when I was much younger. This advice on some small projects helped me to continue to develop my skills several years later, when I got back into photography. At the time, I was used to taking photos with a friend, but never on my own. This blog post is about exploring the community that builds itself by taking photos with other people.
As I’ve returned to photographing in the last 2 years, doing it alone has been the norm. Practicing street photography by myself keeps me focused. Typically, I leave the house with a set idea for why I took my camera and what sort of collection I would like to develop. Then, I leave it up to chance to find something unique. Very often, there is nothing unique about my walk around the block on a typical, grey, wintery British day.
When I meet up with other photographers for a “photowalk”, I still come prepared with that original idea. But having interacting with other creative minds can be disorientating. Maybe my friend has a completely different photographic goal for their walk, or they just have inspiration when I have none. Despite the challenges, there is a very simple and direct benefit of photographing with other people who are also passionate. By explaining in real time my original idea, which I would obviously keep to myself on a walk alone, new opportunities present themselves. The mutual good that comes from engaging with photography as a community is greater than the sum of its parts.
Taking my own kinds of photos around photographers is going to expose me to other shooting styles. Some people will have different equipment, or color treatment. Sometimes our perception of composition will be worlds apart. But we all ways have an appreciation for those aesthetics which we create.
When I saw these two Spinone Italiano, I was in the middle of guiding a group on an Autumn photowalk. Realizing that this was both a valuable subject and emotional for me (I have a Spinone in my family), I ran up ahead to ask the owner if I could meet those dogs. For me personally, these photos are the warmest and most satisfying type of aesthetic. They were taken almost a year ago, but they do not diminish in value over any period of time. Splitting away from a group when the right subject presents itself is one of the most important parts of this exercise.
About these photographs: the first one is the ideal Spinone pose, as if they were being painted for an English hunter’s manor. Both of their coat colors share some semblance to other parts of the scene. The red leashes ground the scene in today’s world, where the owner, who is just outside of the frame, walks them through the local park. The second picture takes them out of the painting pose and into their normal love and curiosity.
IM.
