Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Travel Photography

Time for Video! (and more coming soon…)

Time for Video!

Hey, everyone!

This year has been a rough one, to say the least. I had more work and plans scheduled for the year than ever before, but after March hit, almost everything went away. One of those plans was to start making videos. With things continually going poorly, I’ve kept pushing it off, but now I’m pushing myself to finally start. And once I start things, I’m good.

For years I’ve been asked why I don’t make any video content. The truth is getting in front of a camera and making it all about me has never been my thing. I like to focus on my work and keep all attention there. I don’t take myself seriously, but I do take my work very seriously, and want others to as well. Getting into video can effect that, just like making this blog can. I started this blog because there wasn’t anything like it and I saw how my unique experiences could help others, help I wish I’d had. Also, partly to push myself to finish my Major City project, as it was definitely something I wanted to quit and give up on countless times.

As you can see, there are no ads and I don’t even really promote it on my social media. I wanted to keep it somewhat separate from my work in a way. At times, I even thought about closing the blog, as I ran into instances where it hurt me when it came to work opportunities and impressions before seeing my work. Also, the blog has been a ton of work in itself. I’m happy it grew so much and appreciate all the love, but that has created even more time dedicated to answering emails and messages for related advice and other requests. I enjoy helping, but time without money, after already having to live by the means I do for all this, has been difficult. 

I have decided to keep it up, though, and I’ve also decided to add video content. Content will be more for people that follow my work and I’m not interested in becoming a YouTube personality, I wouldn’t even want that. The videos won’t be highly edited or filled with trendy topics and flash. They will be focused on content, though, and not being concerned with views will go a long way towards that. I want the content to be unique, unlike other related content out there. I want it to be helpful, things that I’ve found helpful in photography over the years, from my personal experience and teaching and mentoring others. Content that would have been valuable to me. I also want it to be candid, genuine, interesting and fun. I like to get creative, so I have lists of series and topic ideas. And of course, there will be some content related to my major city work and this blog. Everything will evolve over time, but I’m happy to finally get started. 

Different videos and series covering:

  • Photography. Street, Documentary, Interesting Photography. No strict box, other than what I find interesting, and with more of a focus on unposed/unstaged photography.
  • Me. Covering any topics that I find helpful or interesting when it comes photography.
  • All the 105 cities I covered during my Major City Work (photography related, not travel related)
  • No crazy edited high tech videos. Focused on the content and topics, while keeping things candid and relaxed.
  • Focus on the Photo. All about the interest of photos, little about the gear.
    • Unless Fuji or Leica decide to send me all their gear, then maybe a couple videos :)
  • No Gimmicks. No formulaic trendy street photography videos. Genuine videos on candid and interesting photography, how good photos are made, and all that connects to my work and life related to photography.

What’s in it for me? Well, hopefully it will be fun doing this and I enjoy helping others in ways I wish I’d been helped, but also I hope it will connect others more to my work and projects. And now that I have online mentorship programs going, along with more workshops again once the pandemic passes, I hope this will help there too. In the near future, I have plans for creating special video content highly focused on learning and improving your photography, much of which will be interactive, that will be available soon too. 

Anyway, hopefully, this gives you some idea of what’s coming. For more, you’ll just have to follow along and see :)

 

Thanks for reading and 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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33 Street Photography Photos from Mexico City, Mexico

After Port-au-prince, came city #66 Mexico City, Mexico on the Major City project. I’ll be discontinuing this 33 photos series on the blog soon, but I’ll explain why along with exciting details on some new things I have planned in an upcoming post. For now, though, I’ll share a last few additions of this long-time series here on Shooter Files.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Mexico City…

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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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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Dhaka, Bangladesh

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Dhaka

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33 Street Photography Photos from Port-au-prince, Haiti

After covering Santo Domingo, came major city #65 Port-au-Prince, Haiti on the Major City project. I’ll be discontinuing this 33 photos series on the blog soon, but I’ll explain why along with exciting details on some new things I have planned in an upcoming post. For now, though, I’ll share a last few additions of this long-time series here on Shooter Files.

So here’s 33 photos from my time covering Port-au-prince…

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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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33 Street Photography Photos from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

After Izmir and a stop at the Brussels Street Photography Festival, came major city #64 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on the Major City project. I’ll be discontinuing this 33 photos series on the blog soon, but I’ll explain why along with exciting details on some new things I have planned in an upcoming post. For now, though, I’ll share a last few additions of this long-time series here on Shooter Files.

So here’s 33 photos from my time covering Santo Domingo…

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3-Day Street Photography Workshop in Lima, Peru

3-Day Street Photography Workshop

in Lima, Peru

MAY 1st – MAY 3rd : LIMA, PERU

  • STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP WITH FORREST WALKER

I’m excited to announce a 3-Day workshop I’ll be leading this May 1st – May 3rd in Lima, Peru. Read on for more details and how to sign up…

This intensive four-day workshop will focus on photographic vision and seeing more. You’ll learn to see more photos when out shooting, how to put together what you see into the photo you want to make, improve your editing process and help find yourself in your photography. We will work together to accomplish these goals through a variety of lessons covering a variety of work, reviews of your own work, editing sessions, activities and plenty of shooting throughout the streets of Lima. Led by international photographer Forrest Walker, this workshop will be an immersive and educational experience.

Find Participant Testimonials and Photos from Forrest Walker’s Workshops HERE

Full 3-Day Workshop Fee – $500 $400 US per person (Early Price Discount)

RESERVE SPOT

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Places are strictly limited, sign up early to avoid disappointment

WHERE: Lima, Peru

WHEN: May 1st – May 3rd, 2020 (3 Full Days)

Daily Schedule (Detailed itinerary will be emailed to participants):

  • Friday May 1st: 10am-6:00pm
  • Saturday May 2nd: 8:30am-5:30pm
  • Sunday May 3rd: 9am-6:00pm

*We will break for lunch daily and all are invited to dinner and drinks afterwards for more interaction

Workshop Description:

On this three-day workshop, you’ll be able to capture the areas that Lima is known for, along with some of the more local favorite spots and my street photography selections from covering the city. This will be an intensive and highly involved workshop where you’ll be challenged to improve your photography in a variety of ways, led by someone who’s photographed over 100 major cities across the world inside and out. Lima stays at the top of my list for street photography in South America and I’ve spent countless hours exploring its endless streets of interest over the years. With a 5 participant max on the workshop, you’ll be able to get the most out of our time together in Lima, Peru.

This will be an intensive, but highly enjoyable workshop experience that includes a mixture of daily photo walks, photo critiques, interactive lessons, editing sessions, activities and discussions. A major focus will be on photographic vision and seeing more. You’ll learn to see more photos when out shooting, how to put together what you see into the photo you want to make, improve your editing process and help find yourself in your photography. There will be a lot of walking and photography, with myself fully involved each step of the way to make sure you get the most out of your week. You will be able to fully immerse yourself into the city through street photography, so you can learn more, photograph more and have a great time experiencing Lima.

What’s Included?:

  • A variety of guided street photography walks giving a wide view of photo opportunities and exploration in Lima.
  • 1-on-1 shooting with your instructor to provide feedback, tips, guidance, and allow you to observe how I work. You will also be allowed to work on your photography without distraction during the walks.
  • Multiple educational and inspirational lessons covering different aspects of street photography.
  • An initial portfolio review followed by daily critiques and a final editing lesson covering your work during the workshop.
  • Constant access to your instructor, including outside of the workshop’s scheduled time. 
  • Activities planned to give time for bonding with other photographers, while having a great time in Lima.
  • A memorable experience not only improving your photography, but also enjoying one of South America’s most interesting cities.

Additional Information:

  • The workshop will be very limited to keep the group small and give plenty of personal attention and quality interaction.
  • The workshop fee covers not only the time during the workshop schedule, but also the time spent on workshop preparation with each individual, and any time needed outside of the daily schedule while in Lima.

WHAT TO BRING:

Good walking shoes, camera(s), lens – between 50mm and 21mm equivalents preferred, sunscreen, water bottle, cool and comfortable clothing, laptop with appropriate processing software installed (Lightroom, Capture One or Photoshop), spare batteries and memory cards, notepad, pen, and mobile/ smart phone.

Full 3-Day Workshop Fee – $500 $400 US per person (Early Price Discount)

RESERVE SPOT

Places are strictly limited, sign up early to avoid disappointment

 

Terms and Cancellation Policy:

  •           Workshop fees include tuition ONLY. Participants are responsible for their own equipment costs, food and beverage costs, and travel expenses.
  •          Forrest Walker accepts no liability for any loss or damage of participants’ equipment or liability for injury, illness or misadventure during the course of the workshop. The public liability of the participants is their own responsibility as is conducting themselves safely and according to Japanese Law at all times.
  •           Forrest Walker reserves the right to cancel the workshop at any time, for any reason. In this event, participants will receive a 100% refund on any fees paid.
  •          Forrest Walker is not responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses in the event of a cancellation. We recommend that you buy refundable air tickets and/or travel insurance. Cancellations: More than 31 days before workshop begins, participant will receive a 100% refund. Between 11-31 days before workshop begins, participant will receive a 50% refund. Within 10 days of workshop, participants will receive NO refund.

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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