If you don’t like this photograph, please keep it to yourself. Forgive me for that but I just cannot bear to hear anything negative about this one because I love everything about this image. Everything. From beginning to end.
On Saturday I wrestled my wireless internet to the ground and came up for air five hours later. You see I had been trying to watch the new Jay Maisel video on Kelby Training since Tuesday when my friend Ray mentioned it to me. However my wireless connection wouldn’t oblige without buffering every two minutes. Finally I was able to watch the whole video uninterrupted in the evening and I have to tell you that I felt more excited about photography than if Nikon announced it was giving away free lenses.
With my 70-300mm firmly attached to my D80 and no camera bag at all, I headed out Sunday morning to “Italy Day” down on Commercial Drive. This festival has made a return after a 27-year absence and I hope it will be here to stay. After wondering around for a couple of hours, walking slowly and stopping every few metres, and practicing a heightened sense of awareness, we were heading back to the car when I saw this image. The poster caught my eye and then the guy sitting under the poster. And then I saw his t-shirt and laughed really hard. All that seeing was done in less than 10 seconds. I just knew I had to photograph it. Lucky for me there was a brick pillar I used to hide behind and brace myself to shoot off a few frames. It actually didn’t make a difference because the two people were looking at photographs and were oblivious to all the people around them. (Even the details are dripping with happy irony!)
I came home and reviewed my images, trying very hard not to get too excited about what I might have made. When I saw that I had nailed this one, I did cartwheels around the room–figuratively speaking of course. After a slight straightening and taking the image into Silver Efex, I did a quick poll of my friends on Twitter who confirmed my thoughts on going black and white on this one (thanks guys!).
Jay Maisel said that he is always looking to photograph something he hasn’t seen before and folks, this one is it for me. That’s one of the reasons why this is so special. In many ways it marks a milestone for me. I know this image won’t change the world but it shows my world is changing. Anyone could have made this image but I would have never seen it if I didn’t tune my visual senses to everything that was going on around me, if I didn’t walk slowly, if I was afraid to take the shot. What’s also significant about this is that I didn’t approach this from a technical perspective at all. I didn’t pay attention to what depth of field I should be at, what lens I should have on my body, what the ISO or white balance setting should be. I saw it. I had an emotional reaction to it. I made the image. For this I owe a debt of gratitude to Ray who has been cheering me on and at the same time, giving me tough love over the past week.
If you don’t have a subscription to Kelby Training, buy one for just a month. You must watch “A Day with Jay Maisel“. Don’t just take my word for it. Ask my friend Erin who has done a post on her own reaction to the video. Speak to Ray who saw it and said “He says a lot of what I do, only better–way better and the images he makes–Wow!“
I love this picture, I really do!
Oh, and thanks so much for the Jay Maisel link. I am a big fan!
Thanks Cindy. Once you’ve seen the Jay Maisel video even more of this post will make sense. At least I hope so.
I watched Jay Maisel’s video last night and re-read the post again. Yes, definitely makes more sense and I am very happy for you! Now I will have to do the same, go out, walk slowly and shoot!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Christa Watson, Cindy Tong and others. Cindy Tong said: Great #photog blog entry! RT @ SabrinaHenry A new blog post is up "Sometimes One Word is Worth a Photograph" http://tinyurl.com/2bq98rh [...]
Hehe awesome post! Love the title!
“Anyone could have made this image…” I don’t agree with that, Sabrina. You see, not everyone “sees” the way we do – we meaning those of us with cameras in front of our faces. I continually hear this from people – “How did you even notice that?” I shrug and say “How could I not?” I actually have a few moments of guilt if I pass a scene that I know I should shoot but don’t have my camera with me. It actually pains me. Not because it would change my life, but because I failed to capture something. I too have watched the Jay video (still am, actually, in dribs and drabs) and it doesn’t instill a certain confidence in you to go out and shoot. And just shoot. This one is a great catch – see you don’t have to go all over the world to get your favorite photo!
Yeah what Mark said!
Well done, Sabrina! I love this in so many ways and if anyone says anything bad about it, I will fight them on your behalf!
Seriously, great shot. Well seen, beautifully captured.
Jay says it right, and bluntly. I love it. I haven’t watched that particular video yet but every time I watch or listen to him speak it makes so much sense. This is a great image Sabrina.
I am disappointed I didn’t see the freak shirt until you pointed it out. I probably would have missed that. Nice “seeing” and nice shot.
Totally awesome! The Day with Jay Maisel video is great. I watched it in one sitting the other day and will be back for a second run through this week. Meanwhile I’m doing some visual push ups.
I love this photo for two reasons; Its one of those fascinating, spontaneous and well-done people images that I love looking at, and because you are so jazzed about it.
This is a great image, Sabrina – obviously you took the knowledge and content from Jay’s video to heart. Fantastic job!
Haha! Great image. Put a smile on my face you did!
Wonderful image with the poster and the smiles on their faces. Sometimes it all falls into place, we just have to be there.
You inspired me write a post a few days ago that is similar to this one. I noticed a scene that I needed to photograph.
Oh, and I agree with Mark, also!
Where do I start? Do I start with declaring again my mad, mad crush on Jay Maisel? Or do I start with telling you how much I love this image. And how happy I am for you that you turned that corner. And how pleased I am that you went with black and white (!!! all the way!).
Really looking forward to your next photographs, Sabrina
If I suddenly won the lottery, before I bought an M7 and a Summilux; before I hired a plumber and carpenter to build my darkroom; before I took a trip around the world; before I bought a condo in Jersey City or Park Slope or Sedona or Oakland; I’d pay cash for a Jay Maisel workshop.
Wow! Thanks everyone for the comments; you sure are good at following instructions
Seriously, I appreciate what each of you have said and except for a few comments, I will respond via email individually.
Awesome
I love it! Reminds me of “Life Smiles Back”, a collection of photos that you can’t help but smile at. Great idea publishing it as a black and white; the color would have distracted focus from the message 
Powerful and beautiful! Well seen and taken…
Love it. I have to watch the Jay Maisel video! Thanks for pointing it out.
Great shot Sabrina! You have seen very well – congrats! I agree with the B&W
[...] or vibrates. I just watched the Day with Jay Maisel video on Kelby Training this week that Sabrina Henry recommended previously and it was everything it was cracked up to be. I walk these same streets [...]