Photowalking is walking around with a camera, hoping to find
interesting subjects to capture. It involves being stared at by pedestrians,
squatting in tiny alleyways, holding up pavement traffic, drawing attention
from moving vehicles and walking up to faces filled with character and asking
politely (or awkwardly) if they would mind being photographed.
The first serious photowalk
I recall having was in 2010 with a close friend of mine- Shreya
(affectionately, Chikoo). We took pictures of fruit vendors, children playing
in the street, gola stalls,
stray dogs and parked cycles. Although at the peak of our amateur-ness, we
discovered that company adds to the experience of a photowalk much more than
music streaming through earphones does. That was the first time we got images
that seemed to reek of the city and its spirit. We pledged to photograph
together more often, and we did.
In April’14, clothed in identical shirts, we walked in and around
College Street, Kolkata, taking pictures of rickshaw wallahs, booksellers, coffee
shops, narrow lanes with rustic doors, vendors reading newspapers and tea
stalls piled high with terracotta cups. Our cameras were spoiled with more
subjects to capture per square foot than ever before, and we had the time of
our lives.
Chikoo isn’t the only person I’ve photographed with. Over the past
three years, I’ve met others who are good photographers and have tried to
collaborate with some of them for projects or casual walks, yet something
always seemed amiss. There should be more to a companion than their presence
and fancy DSLR. After much thought and another hassle-free, enjoyable outing
with the round-nosed Chikoo, I feel equipped to discuss the makings of an ideal
photowalk buddy. Here they are.
The Makings of an Ideal Photowalk Buddy:
Ego? What ego?
This is the most important rule in my book. Once together and
outside, neither you nor your companion should let pride or ego leak into the
picture. Setting out to take photos is not about proving who's a better
photographer or whose camera is better. Arguments like 'does Canon trump Nikon'
or 'is Daylight a better mode to shoot in than Shade' should be kept for
informal moments shared over mint tea. While on the streets, you and your buddy
are equals and this mentality should come naturally.
Respect each other and watch rainbows fill
the sky.
If your buddy undermines your photography skills or gives you
constant grief about your composition, angles and light settings, you're bound
to lose confidence in yourself and interest in the project. Find someone who
respects your skills, provides constructive criticism when needed and supports
your efforts.
Jibber the photowalking jabber.
Photowalking involves long periods of time between pictures when
you will wander on foot until you find something else to photograph. It's
important to have a companion who you can talk to in these moments. Someone who
makes more than small talk and who you're comfortable spending long hours with.
No matter how perfect in every other sphere, being with someone you don't
fundamentally get along with can unravel your entire checklist.
Look for common interests and explore them
together.
It's always good to have a partner who finds similar subjects
appealing for photography because it allows you to plan trips more efficiently
and make the most of each one. Forcing a partner to accompany you to a place
they find dull would result in fewer pictures and several instances where one
of you stands idle in the background, waiting for the other to finish. Photowalks
are most exciting when you gasp at the same ram-shackled building or stop to
get a better look at the same sign board. You will also find yourselves
discovering interesting subjects that the other one overlooked, and, these
could often turn out to be the gems of your walk.
Every street is a classroom, and every
student is a teacher.
You can never know everything there is to know about
photography. Each person discovers new facets to the art form and creates their
own niche and style within that world. No matter how alike your personalities,
you will always have something to learn from another photographer. Finding a
buddy who you can learn from and share your own knowledge with is healthy and leads
to both of you growing into better photographers over time.
Yes, dear. Lovely. Move back a bit.
Even though you aren't alone, composing and setting up your
photograph should be an individual activity and not something that is affected
by your partner's presence. Hearing what he/she has to say and considering
their inputs can be productive, but whether and how you choose to use them is
up to you. The picture you envision should be yours and your buddy should allow
you the liberty to go about it in your own way.
Mi casa not su casa.
While your partner needs to respect your style and personal space,
he/she shouldn't replicate it. Exploring each other's perspectives can open
your eyes to certain things you didn't see before, but it shouldn't lead to
both your view-points merging into one. Just like good writing, good
photography comes from the uniqueness you bring to it with your own heart, not
solely from the influences around you.
Take your seats and work on the walk.
Taking pictures is just phase-one of a photowalk. Once you're back
in your respective homes, you're faced with the task of going through all your
photos, choosing which ones are best, deciding how you want to display them and
figuring out which ones need to be tweaked or cropped. I've found that having a
buddy you can share your raw images with helps enormously. It gives you a
better idea of how good a picture really is, what you can do to make it better
and opens your eyes to the pictures that you really shouldn't upload anywhere.
Find someone who will critique your work and appreciate you when it's due.
Having their support right to the very end is what will make them worth holding
on to.
How would you rate us?
Discuss your experience after every outing with your partner and
constantly work toward making your next one better and more productive. Learn
from your mistakes and be honest enough to point out what went wrong. Try to
find solutions to any problems that spring up. Don’t let little issues fester
within you; keep it transparent and your relationship as co-walkers will
blossom with every step you take.
Discovering the right person to work with is not always a cake
walk. And, even when you find that person, it may not be perfect. Things could
be rocky at start before they ease into what you’re looking for. The trick is
to not give up on your potential buddy (without genuine reason). If you share
the same interests and get along like dark chocolate in coffee, stick together
and eventually, pieces of the puzzle will begin to fall in place. My photo
buddy has helped me grow as a photographer and I’m sure yours will too.
Co-walking not only betters your skills, it keeps you focussed and doesn’t let
you slack off. Find the right person and you’ll never want to walk alone again.
*Eye of the Tiger plays as this post stomps away into the sunset*
