When I was in New York City, I was able to have some personal time with Bryan Peterson. In addition to going over the images I created while I was there, I asked him to review my images from Chicago. Receiving feedback from someone of Bryan’s calibre is very useful not only because he is a master photographer but he has also helped literally thousands of students through his books, workshops, and online school, the Perfect Picture School of Photography. Another reason why I wanted Bryan to review my images is because he has been there since the beginning of my journey and he could provide a unique perspective on my progress as a photographer.
Out of all the images I presented to Bryan, there was one in particular that stood out for him. You might remember the photograph I made for the friends who were with me in Chicago to see the Cartier-Bresson exhibit. I never said much about the image but I think it’s time that I share how it was made.
On my way back to the hotel after wandering around downtown, I saw a poster advertising the exhibit and I thought it would make a great image as a souvenir of our time in Chicago. After all Marco had contributed this and Stuart this, both amazing images I can see up on my wall if only they’d sell me a print. I set about framing the composition using my favourite lens and began to photograph the wall. When I looked at the first few frames, I saw people scurrying past as I tried to create my image. I thought about the people who lived in the city and who didn’t realize what an opportunity they had to see the work of brilliant artist, not just at the Art Institute but every day when they walked past that wall. The idea of taking things for granted, seemingly mundane things, resonated with me. Many of Cartier-Bresson’s images were about everyday life in all parts of the world and it seemed very apropos that I was witnessing it right there in Chicago. I thought about how I could convey the feeling of something special to a small group of visitors juxtaposed to the everyday life of people who live in the city. I continued to photograph the wall changing my composition slightly as people stepped through the frame. A review of the next few images revealed one or two people riding through the frame on their bicycles creating a blur of motion that when slowed down would mirror the bicycle in Cartier-Bresson’s image in the background. That’s when I decided what image I wanted to make.
Don’t laugh but I stood on that sidewalk for 25 minutes to get this image. As soon as I decided I wanted a bicycle in the frame, none appeared. I prayed for a person on a bicycle to come by and then one appeared but he was walking his bicycle. In my mind’s eye that was not what I wanted. My prayers had to be more specific. I wanted a person to ride through the frame on a bicycle but I wanted them going through the frame in the opposite direction of the person in Cartier-Bresson’s image. Still nothing. I felt really silly just standing there on the sidewalk. Waiting. I almost gave up but I wanted that image so badly, I waited. Then I saw a woman approaching from the left walking her bicycle on the sidewalk but going in the right direction. I did something I’ve never done before; I stopped a perfect stranger and asked her to help me make an image. She must have thought I was crazy. She asked me: “so you want me to just ride past this wall? Just get on my bike and ride?” I said yes and she did. Three frames. One worked.
I didn’t want to share this story with you because of how it was made. I think I wanted people to believe that I just happened to catch someone riding their bicycle past this particular wall. It wasn’t until I shared it with Ray that I began to understand that how I made this image marks a milestone in my development as a photographer. As Ray put it, I had been able to see an idea in my head and then make it happen for the story. I had moved from being an observer with my photographs to being a participant in my photographs, a true image-maker.
As I mentioned earlier, Bryan Peterson was quite taken with this image, I think in part because he knew exactly where it was made but also because he has witnessed my journey and understood that this was a major milestone for me even if at first, I did not. Among the things he told me, there is one thing that stands out that I will always remember: “Sabrina, twenty-five minutes is not long to wait for an image of a lifetime.” To my Chicago friends, I hope that knowing a little bit more about how this image was made will not take away from the sentiment behind it. For me, it makes our time there even more memorable because you were there for one of the milestones along my journey.
Hi Sabrina,
This makes two of your posts today that I absolutely loved! (the other being your ‘one way to make better…’ post)
This image resonates a ton with me – as I had the exact same experience in a class with Jay Maisel earlier this year. He talks about finding the ‘stage’ and waiting for the actors to come. I’d been a very passive photographer to that point. If part of the image was there, but not the whole thing, I’d take the partial shot, and move on. Of course, I’d then spend time wondering why I didn’t love so many of the images I’d taken.
When in NY with Jay (out shooting on my own one afternoon) – I found this incredible background and spent at least an hour there – ending up chasing a guy down the street! But I loved the image that came from it – and the lesson in seeing the bigger picture and persevering is one that will stick with me forever. Congrats on the great image and wonderful posts.
Best,
Steve
(the post I’d mentioned can be found here: http://steveblackphotography.com/blog/2010/09/photo-of-the-day-perseverance/
Steve, it’s good to have you here.
You took a class with “the” Jay Maisel? I am officially jealous. Love the link to your work…thanks for sharing it with us.
Right after I sent off my check for Jay’s class, I had immdiate buyers remorse. I came incredibly close to cancelling. I am so, so glad I didn’t. I grew more in that week than in my first 4 years of photography. He is an amazing guy, straight to the point, but funny and kind. And his house is incredible!
Do you subscribe to KelbyTraining.com? There is a great 120min-ish class where Scott Kelby spends the day with Jay. Well worth the price of the site just for that class!
Steve
I subscribed for one month just to watch that video! I blogged about it here:
http://sabrinahenry.com/2010/06/07/sometimes-one-word-is-worth-a-photograph/
I would love to talk to you more about your experience there!
To me, this makes this photo, and your efforts, even more impressive. Much as Ray said, while it’s no small accomplishment to stumble upon a scene and recognize it as something special, it’s creating at a higher level to see the possibilities, form your own vision/story and then proactively make it happen.
Thanks Earl. I have a difficult time pre-visualizing and Ray’s been helping me with that so this was a real break-through for me.
Sometimes to get what you want you have to make something happen. Well done.
Wise words from someone who knows…thanks Mark.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Olwick and Mark Krajnak. Mark Krajnak said: RT @SabrinaHenry: On the blog today "From Observer to Participant" http://bit.ly/cQgOE8 [...]
Fantastic article and an excellent photograph Sabrina, I think that one may be deserving of a larger permanent display in your home. Its rewarding to follow you as you find your vision within these images.
Hi Craig…great to see you here again. I think you might be right about something larger and more permanent
Brilliant post Sabrina! It may seem like going from passive photographer to an active one is easy but it is not. You need to go and MAKE the image instead of taking it, you need to ask someone for help in the process or simply for posing and that someone can refuse it – it takes courage to do that every time! It is a huge milestone in photographer’s work and i’m happy that You made it. Mine haven’t happened yet but i’m working on it. You can check my post “Learning to see” http://www.radek-kozak.com/blog/2010/09/learning-to-see/ as i was struggling with similar problem – only difference is that i got lucky and the girl on a bike turned to the alley where i was waiting with my composition.
p.s i am a fan of Bryan as well, his books helped greatly when i decided to take photography for serious I’m jealous You could met him in person!
Great post, Radek; thanks for sharing. Isn’t it wonderful when you had serendipity on your side, right down to the pink rims? As Fleming below said, you must have had the bicycle gods on your side
First off Sabrina, you are just silly. Silly awesome.
No one should be worried or embarrassed by the amount of work it took to get a shot. I once waited for 90 minutes for the sun to go down so I could get a shot of the Four Peaks here in AZ with snow on them all lit up in orange.
Some photos take a lot of work and it doesn’t lessen them at all. In fact, I’m more impressed by someone like you who takes their time to get it PERFECT (which this shot is) instead of shooting and leaving, which I tend to do a lot.
More patience, more time, more work spent to make it perfect…I like it.
Yes Mike…silly is exactly right! I always worry far too much about what people will think in situations like this. You landscape photographers are a patient, hard-working bunch; I need to hang out with you more
And, aren’t we suppose to be participants in life. Way to many of are just observers. Man I love what is happening to you.
Love it too Monte but I think you are not just along for the ride because I see things happening with you too!
Flemming, you must visit more often! Your “bicycle gods” is just priceless. You may not know when to start talking but you always know what to say. Thanks!
I promise to visit every post from now on, I love your writing and your images
I dont’ always say much but I try to make it count when I do hehe.
First off, it is very exciting to watch your photography progress. Never be embarrassed to explain that some shots are “manipulated”. I really like Ray’s term, “Observer to Participant”. It’s very suitable.
I had taken a wedding photography course some years ago. We had been looking over many images, which appeared to be candid shots. They were all lovely shots that tugged are your heart. All elements came together to make a technically perfect and emotionally compelling image. The instructor explained that they were not “100% candid”. He did not 100% stage a shot, he did as you did. He saw some elements that could work, he just nudged a few things in the proper direction to get the image perfect. Then he pressed the button on top of the camera.
Great job, Sabrina!
Thanks Chris!
That’s my favourite image from your Chicago series. Good on you for asking a stranger to help you out. I’m often amazed by how helpful people are to quirky requests from strangers.
I’ve never done that in my home city, but I find myself a little braver when I’m not inside my comfort zone. That “stranger in a strange land” feeling is very conducive to acting, and not just thinking, outside the box. Was it that way for you?
Definitely that way for me too, Charlene. I think one of the reasons why I loved Chicago was because people were quite approachable. In many ways it was a lot more friendly than being here at home.
I am trying to work on being braver though because I think I might be missing some great stories right on my doorstep.
Me too! I see possibilities everyday but too chickensh*t to step up and do something about them. Working on changing this too… i get the feeling i’m not working hard enough though!
So much to admire here, Sabrina — the experience, your thought process, and of course the amazing image. It is encouraging to learn that others also struggle with overcoming shyness. I’m thrilled that you made this image. What a reward!
Thanks Dorothy. I can’t wait to see what images you’ll make when we get down to San Francisco next month.
Am just catching up on your posts Sabrina – I love what is happening in your photography – turning from observer to participant is just the right way to describe what you are doing. Intentional photography/making a picture are other ways. Making ourselves more conscious of what and why we are doing something is a rewarding process and I can see the difference in your photographs. Well done!!
Wow, thanks for sharing this, Sabrina.