Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

First Impressions

Video: First Photography Impressions in Yerevan, Armenia

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Patreon Exclusive Video

A quick overview on how I first approach cities in my Major City Work, followed by some first impressions of photographing Yerevan, Armenia, including new photos throughout from my first few days here, and ending with a few of my favorite photography spots so far.

While I already completed my Major City Project, Yerevan would make for Major City #107.

Link to Video: First Photography Impressions: Yerevan, Armenia

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All the best,

Forrest

7 First Impressions of Montevideo, Uruguay
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

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Montevideo, Uruguay came in as major city #69 on my Major City work. Here, I’ll share for other visiting photographers a few first impressions covering the city with my camera during my work there, from a personal street photography perspective…

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Minsk, Belarus Final Photo Impressions

My final photography impressions covering Minsk, Belarus. I share some of my favorite aspects of photographing the city, some of its challenges, a few highlights and favorite photography spots, along with a photo finish, where I share and talk about a small selection of photos from the city (saving my best Minsk photos for later publication).

While I had completed my Major City Work, Minsk will now be added as Major City #106​.

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All the best,

Forrest

Video: Intro to Minsk, Belarus (on the road)

A quick intro on my arrival to Minsk, Belarus, as I also share some first photos, impressions, plans and details on upcoming videos from the city. Will I add Minsk to my “finished” Major City work? It would make for Major City #106…

For more information on the video content coming, check here.

All the best,

Forrest

7 First Impressions of Buenos Aires, Argentina
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Buenos Aires, Argentina came in as major city #68 on my Major City project and here I’ll share for other visiting photographers a few first impressions covering the city with my camera during my work there, from a personal street photography perspective…

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7 First Impressions of Mexico City, Mexico
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Mexico City, Mexico came in as major city #66 on my Major City project and here I’ll share a few first impressions covering the city with my camera during my work there.

Not many cities have brought me more diverse opinions. While a reputation of danger scares many away, others find a surprisingly interesting, historic and cleaned up city. The truth is Mexico City does warrant caution, especially outside the more touristic spots, but it’s also one of the more complex, attractive and memorable big cities you’ll experience. And big it is. Packed with culture and history around the buzzing center, you’ll also find a modern, contemporary city. You’ll find plenty of edge too. This brings more character, but bring your street smarts, as mine were needed on multiple occasions here. For street photography, there’s a charm to it that feels authentic and edgy, bringing a unique appeal that I’d recommend, warnings and all. 

So here are my first impressions of Mexico City, from a personal street photographer perspective…

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7 First Impressions of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Port-au-prince, Haiti came in as major city #65 on my Major City project and here I’ll share a few first impressions covering the city with my camera.

Port-au-prince might not be a popular destination in the Carribean, but it’s been one that I’ve been interested in visiting ever since seeing the amazing work there by photographers like Alex Webb, Bruce Gilden and Maggie Steber. It always felt like a complex place of beauty and devastation where vibrant life overcomes, like a rose from the cracks. While Haiti was once one of the richest countries in the Americas, it’s the poorest today. Walking the streets of Port-au-prince 10 years after their devastating earthquake can be surreal, as it still almost feels and looks like it happened yesterday. Crumbling buildings, rubble, trash and smoke fill many of the streets.

Port-au-prince shouldn’t be judged at first sight, though, because amidst all that, you’ll also find color, vibrance, character, energy, life and yes, beauty. It creates one of the more interesting and complex dynamics of any city I’ve covered. The city isn’t made for easy traveling, you have to be adventurous, but while it can seem intimidating at first, it ended up being one of the most friendly places I experienced all year. The streets are so full of life and contradiction, it’s hard to describe, but I’ll try.

Here are my first impressions of Port-au-Prince, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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7 First Impressions of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic came in as major city #64 on my Major City project and here I’ll share a few first impressions covering the city with my camera.

The Carribean makes for an interesting region for street photography. The colors, light, vibrant island life, colonial history and more make for a complex and unique atmosphere. When it comes to photography, Havana attracts the most attention, but I wanted to cover other big city life in the Caribbean too. With Santo Domingo, you get the biggest city the region has to offer so it was a must for my project. Most people visit islands for the touristic beach towns so I always find the more urban offerings an interesting dynamic when mixed with the island lifestyle. Santo Domingo provides plenty of urban atmosphere, but around Zona Colonial, you’ll feel its long history as the first city of the New World when Colombus called it home. Today, the historic surrounding is filled with tourism, but it still manages to keep some local flavor too. While most won’t leave Zona Colonial and the Malecon, mostly for safety reasons, I made sure to explore as much of the city outside the walls too, where things do change quickly.

So here are my first impressions of Santo Domingo, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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7 First Impressions of Izmir, Turkey
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Izmir, Turkey came in as major city #63 on my Major City project and here I’ll share a few first impressions covering the city with my camera. Izmir hadn’t been on my list for the major city project, but due to travel arrangements and work, it was added last minute. I lived in Istanbul in 2015/2016, but hadn’t been back to Turkey since. Istanbul holds a special place for me, as not only my prior home, but also the first city on my project and still a top 3 city in the world for street photography, in my opinion. Istanbul has it all so I didn’t want to compare it to Izmir. While living in Istanbul, though, Izmir was the most common favorite Turkish city by the locals I met. They loved its reputation as the most open and liberal city in the country. When it comes to tourists, though, Izmir doesn’t get as much attention. So, visiting Turkey’s third largest city became an opportunity to find out about this city for myself, while also seeing how it is for street photography.

Here are my first impressions of Izmir, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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7 First Impressions of Tunis, Tunisia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

Tunis, Tunisia came in as major city #61 on my Major City project and here I’ll share a few first impressions covering the city with my camera. Tunisia is famous for being a Star Wars’ film location, but its capital, Tunis, isn’t on the radar for travel as much as it deserves. Here, you’ll find a mix of influences and atmosphere that you can’t find many other places, especially for the price. There’s the picturesque mediterannean coast with white and blue houses reminicent of the greek islands. In the center you get a completely different vibe filled with old character, chaos and one of the best medinas around. A mix of Maghrebi, French/European, and African influences can be felt and seen all over. Tunis also happens to have a well-deserved reputation for being the most open city in the region, providing a vibe that stands out if you’ve traveled in North Africa before. Coming from its past dictatorshiop, there’s a laid-back feeling that blends well with the mix of influences to make an enjoyable city for street photography that isn’t on most people’s lists.

So here are my first impressions of Tunis, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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