Shooter Files by f.d. walker

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Why You Should Start a Shooting Strangers Project Today

shooter files miami faces-13

Fear of Photographing Strangers

Fear of photographing strangers is probably the #1 thing that holds people back when it comes to Street Photography.

That fear of a negative reaction can:

  • Keep you from getting close enough and taking the shot you want
  • Cause you to rush and not focus on the shot
  • Keep you from taking the photo at all

Nothing else can improve your Street Photography instantly like overcoming this fear. Unfortunately, simply ignoring this fear is easier said than done for most people. So the next best thing is learning how to overcome it. And the best way to overcome a fear is by confronting it repeatedly.

One of the most effective ways to do this is to take on a personal “Shooting Strangers” project.

What is a Shooting Strangers project?

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Master Profiles: Garry Winogrand

Winogrand portrait

* “Master Profiles” is a series profiling all the great photographers of uncontrolled life. Unlike the rest of the blog, I’m doing these in a straight profile format to make it easy for quick access to facts, quotes and knowledge on all the masters. I’ll also group them together here every time I add a new one.

Profile:

Garry Winogrand (1928-1984)

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Where Travel & Street Meet:
A Photographic Journey Through India – Part 4: Rajasthan

India Shooter Files-106
Bundi, India 2014

While I focus on Street Photography more lately, I still love photography that would be considered more in the Travel category too. I also try to incorporate much of Street Photography into my Travel work because I love the authentic look of uncontrolled life. Here’s some of my personal travel work I shot in Rajasthan, while working in India. (This is the 4th part of a 5 part series)

Rajasthan, India

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Master Profiles: Helen Levitt

Portrait of Helen Levitt
Helen Levitt / © Estate of Helen Levitt

* “Master Profiles” is a series profiling all the great photographers of uncontrolled life. Unlike the rest of the blog, I’m doing these in a straight profile format to make it easy for quick access to facts, quotes and knowledge on all the masters. I’ll also group them together here every time I add a new one.

Profile:

Helen Levitt (1913-2009)

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Where Travel & Street Meet:
A Photographic Journey Through India – Part 3: Delhi, Agra & Mathura

India Shooter Files-79
Delhi, India

While I focus on Street Photography more lately, I still love photography that would be considered more in the Travel category too. I also try to incorporate much of Street Photography into my Travel work because I love the authentic look of uncontrolled life. Here’s some of my personal travel work I shot in Delhi, Agra and Mathura, while working in India. (This is the 3rd part of a 5 part series)

Delhi, India

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City Street Profiles:
A Street Photography Guide to
Kolkata, India

Kolkata, India
Kolkata, India 2014

*City Street Profiles is a series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities across the world. One of the biggest things I found lacking on the internet was Street Photography info for specific cities so you can be ready to shoot when traveling to a new city. Find the best spots to shoot, what to capture, safety concerns, street tips, and more for cities around the world.  (I have personally shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for)

Kolkata

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Why Technology is Overrated in Photography

"Cell Phone Booth" | Saint-Petersburg, Russia
“Cell Phone Booth” | Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Technology vs Photography

One of the biggest problems with photography today is that people worry about technology instead of how to make a good photo.

Let me make it clear, I’m not someone who thinks all technology is bad. There is definitely more ability in photography today because of technology. Things can be done that would never have been dreamt of in the past.

The problem isn’t in technology itself, but in its effect on manufacturers and the photographers themselves.

The Negative Effect of Technology

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Where Travel & Street Meet:
A Photographic Journey Through India – Part 2: Varanasi

Argentina Shooter Files-2
Varanasi, India   2014

While I focus on Street Photography more lately, I still love photography that would be considered more in the Travel category too. I also try to incorporate much of Street Photography into my Travel work because I love the authentic look of uncontrolled life. Here’s some of my personal travel work I shot in Varanasi, while working in India. (This is the 2nd part of a 5 part series in India)

Varanasi, India

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Master Profiles: Robert Frank

Robert Frank / © Jerry de Wilde
Robert Frank / © Jerry de Wilde

* “Master Profiles” is a series profiling all the great photographers of uncontrolled life. Unlike the rest of the blog, I’m doing these in a straight profile format to make it easy for quick access to facts, quotes and knowledge on all the masters. I’ll also group them together here every time I add a new one.

Profile:

Robert Frank (1924-present)

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