Do Talk to Strangers

I know it's not what our mamas taught us.

But they probably wouldn't want us out on the streets anyway.

The thing I've learned about urban photography is that if you interact, you get more action. Wallflowers are for junior high dances. Shyness is for landscape work. If you want to shoot in the city, you better pack your personality too.

Say you're both waiting to cross the street. "That's a good looking building over there, wouldn't you say?" If you get anything more than a grunt, you can add, "And I like your jacket too. Do you mind if I get a quick portrait?"

It's not that hard. But it takes energy. Some days I have it, others I just hang out.

My biggest ally is curiosity. "What are you taking a picture of?

"I'm photographing that building. But now I'm thinking that a portrait of you would be great too. Got a minute?"

About 1 out of 5 will say no. The other 4 will be interesting shots.

When I ask, I look them in the eyes and smile. And I hold my camera tightly.

Just in case my mama was right.

-Derrick

Do It Again

The San Francisco photography workshop is over.

I have a laptop full of images and a head full of great moments.

Saturday night is a perfect example of our shared experience. We walked down Market St. to the Embarcadero and set up shop at Pier 14. Our goal was to photograph the new Bay Bridge, Ferry Building, Coit Tower, and the San Francisco skyline that lit up as the sun settled in the West. 

While waiting for the light, we shared tips and talked about the day that included shoots at Union Square, Yerba Buena, and the Trader Vic alley off Post Street. I didn't get back to my room that night until around 10:00 pm -- dog tired and just as happy.

Everyone contributed. Rene taught us how to talk to strangers, Mike helped us navigate the menu system on our OM-Ds, Michael borrowed my 45mm f/1.8 and pushed his shooting boundaries, Lex got his groove going, Vicki found a whole new way to look at things, Enrich discovered his gift for B&W iPhone photography, Gary made great contributions during our group discussions, Ed had his best workshop shoot ever, and Paul brought incredible focus to capturing great images on the street.

Leah mentioned to me as we were walking back from the shoot how much she liked working with this group. I agreed.

I'm always grateful to the folks who help me craft a new workshop. I couldn't have had a better team in San Francisco this week. 

And thanks to them,

I'm going to do it again next year.

-Derrick

On the Streets

I spent all day Friday scouting locations for the SF Street Shooting Workshop.

As far as work days go, this is about as good as it gets. I'm carrying my Olympus E-M10 and iPad mini in the Walking Man Shoulder bag. I began by exploring up and down Sutter St. because our hotel, the Cartwright, is located there off of Powell. 

I then worked my way down to Market St. heading toward the Ferry Building. We going to hang out at Pier 14 for our night shoot. We'll have a great view of the Bay Bridge lighting up at dusk, the clock tower above the Ferry building, the activity on the Embarcadero, and of course all the people there.

Every couple of hours or so, I'd duck in to a coffee shop for some refreshment and to check online activity.

Then back to work on the streets.

I love this job.

-Derrick

Camera is my Co-Pilot

In the days of the wild west, stagecoach drivers carried a shotgun by their side.

I prefer a camera.

I find it amazing that while on the road, how many things happen around me. Just the other day, while heading north from my recording session at lynda.com, I saw a substantial brush fire alongside Interstate 5.

It was the typical roadside encounter. I'm driving along listening to This American Life podcast. Then I see smoke. And then there's fire. And just like that, it's in my rear view mirror.

Same goes for vivid sunsets, whacky signs, and oddball roadside behavior in general.

If I didn't have a camera on the front seat next to me, I would miss a lot of shots. As far as I'm concerned, a camera is no good in the trunk.

Pulling over and shooting is much, much different than: pulling over, getting out, opening the trunk, finding the camera, and shooting. I probably wouldn't even bother with the latter.

So camera is my co-pilot. And just like the shotgun: I don't shoot often. But when I do,

I'm really happy to have it.

-Derrick

Who We Are and Who We Want to Be

I know many people who feel their jobs don't reflect who they are.

For seven years I mowed lawns to pay the bills while I went to school. My customers knew me as their gardner. I wanted them to know that I was a writer too. But the topic never came up.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I would attend the University where I majored in English and minored in Design. The other three days I drove an avacado green Ford Courier with an assortment of power tools rolling around in the back. I had Sundays off.

My senior year in college I won a poetry contest and was published in three magazines. But the sense of accomplishment I felt wasn't that much different than the pleasure I experienced after finishing a manicured yard. The mowed grass, trimmed hedges, and blooming flower beds looked so beautiful, so perfect. I'd soak it in for a minute, then put the truck in first gear and drive off to the next house. 

Not once did I say, "I'm not really a gardner; I'm a writer." Because that wasn't true. I was both.

Most of us are both. We're the person who takes care of our kids, pays the bills, and supports the community through our work. We also make pictures, write novels, and dream of a life as an artist.

When I was 21, I was sweet on a Portuguese girl who worked at an office that I maintained. She liked me as a gardner. She said my work was artistic. I never told her I could write.

Even then, I had figured out that craftsmanship is really the important thing,

regardless of the activity to which it is applied.

-Derrick