The Art of the Photo-Wait: Tune Into This Free Live Street Photography Workshop: 4/15

Last Updated on 04/07/2017 by Chris Gampat

Hey everyone,

On 4/15, we’re teaming up with photographer Jonathan Higbee (who just did our Hasselblad X1D review) and Zeiss as Jon shows you the art of the “Photo-wait” which involves waiting for a key moment to shoot street photographs. You’ll be able to view it at Jonathan’s Facebook page.

You can read more about the event after the jump and join it here.

“Working the Scene”

Facebook LIVE Street Photography Workshop with Jonathan Higbee

Saturday 4/15 2 p.m. EST Facebook.com/jonathanhigbeephotography

Sponsored by Zeiss and the Phoblographer

Produced by Chris Gampat, Mark Beckenbach & Jonathan Higbee

What are the benefits of “working the scene” when making street photography?

The question I’m asked most is from people wondering how I make my signature street images. This broadcast will focus on the most vital part of my process: how to exploit the hell out of a promising street scene by staying put in one spot. Instead of a photo walk it’s a “photo wait.” Want a unique, impactful photo that only you could’ve made? Work the scene.

Spec Itinerary:

1.) Walk around the city for a few minutes “scouting” for my next shot. All while discussing other photographers known for their photo-waiting and the impact it has on their work.

Answer live questions about scouting — what I look for when I’m hunting for my next scene, etc.

2.) At the location, “Working the Scene”

We’ll include things like:

– What I look for once I’ve found a location
⁃ My instinctual and immediate sense of what’s possible, how to “see a scene”, how to build these instincts
⁃ Obtaining the ideal mindset to get what you want
– What I like about my work that’s made in this manner
⁃ It’s all about context, environment and narrative; characters are less prioritized
⁃ Getting a clean image — attention to background and dimension is key
⁃ Technical aspects to getting the shot and working the scene in as flexible a way as possible
⁃ Camera angles — the sky’s the limit and it’s important to play with a variety
⁃ What’s in my bag
⁃ Being as present as possible to remain open to anything and thinking quickly
⁃ Intention is important, vision is important, but be ready to throw it all to the wind when something unimaginable begins to unfold before your eyes
⁃ Dealing with shyness, anxiety and insecurity when it’s obvious I’m photographing strangers
⁃ How do you know if you’ve got the shot?
⁃ What specific details to note for coming back and photographing the same spot again
⁃ Ensuring the shoot and image fits into your body of work or a specific series
– Continue shooting even if you think you already got the shot!

PS: For more education, be sure to check out our events list.