come photowalk with me (andrew hyde)
Whoa! So much is going on this week that my head is spinning. If you haven’t entered the iPod nano giveaway, please do so! Did you know the iPod nano does video? I did not. I just found that out from Andrew… Hurry up and enter before I change my mind! ;) You have until midnight, Sunday September 27th. Just tell me what quintessential autumn is for you.
Not long after my last post, I woke up to fog as thick as pea soup. Next thing I heard was a peal of thunder so loud the house shook and suddenly a million balls of ice began pelting the whole world. Within minutes the hail blanketed everything in white and just as suddenly as it had started, it turned to soft fluffy snowflakes. We got four inches of snow on the last day of summer. That’s my kind of summer!
accumulation on kaweah in one minute
three seasons in one day: (last day of) summer, fall (colors), and winter (snow)
And today (the 23rd) is my birthday, but there isn’t any time to celebrate. All September celebrations in this house are being postponed to late October! So knock it off with the singing and the candles already – I’m STILL 37, got it?! Ha!
Today’s post is the first in a series of photowalks. Something that fascinates me is seeing how fellow photographers view the world through their lens(es). It’s not just that we may look at an object or a scene differently, but that we may be drawn to completely different things. I had the privilege of having lunch with Mr. Andrew Hyde yesterday, and afterward we went for a short walk… a photowalk. Of course, any time I am with Andrew I meet new people. But this time, we ran into Michael Brown, that pleasant fellow who silenced the packed Boulder Theater last week at Ignite Boulder 6 with his amazing and inspiring talk on Reward and Risk. Still unassuming and very sweet – I have great respect for this man. Okay, so the rules of the photowalk: we take turns picking a location to stop and shoot approximately 5 frames each.
meet andrew (yes, he’s wearing flip flops and a scarf)
Andrew: Canon EOS 5D Mark II with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L
Jen: Nikon D3x with Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
The day was overcast and cool. We strolled a few blocks down Pearl Street pedestrian mall in Boulder where just last week this time the place would have been bursting with people. Instead, it was very mellow… nearly empty. Here is a sampling of what we saw:
andrew location #1: shot 4
jen location #1: shot 2
You can learn a lot by watching another photographer shoot. It doesn’t matter what the skill level of the photographer is – you will learn a lot if you are observant. I like how this exercise had me taking pictures of things I don’t typically think to capture. I shoot landscapes and food, but there were no expansive mountain vistas or mouth-watering plated desserts for me here (well – just step into any of the fine restaurants and sure… but that’s not what we were doing). I had to find interest in the everyday which is a good challenge for the brain.
andrew location #2: shot 1
jen location #2: shot 5
Andrew has a great eye and I know it has a lot to do with his outlook on life: curious, positive, sincere, fun. One day we’re going to sit down and have a heart to heart about MANUAL mode, but Andrew does a lovely job of bringing the world to you with the excitement of a child’s inquisitive eyes.
andrew location #3: shot 1
jen location #3: shot 4
We also walked into the prAna store after Megan (another friend of Andrew’s) greeted us out on the street and invited us in. Inside the store I bumped my ISO to 400 (something I hate to do) since I had no tripod on me. I’m lucky to have left with only pictures because I really like their stuff. Better yet, their displays were full of great textures and colors.
andrew location #4: shot 3
jen location #4: shot 3
The education of the photowalk doesn’t end with the walk. In fact, it’s just beginning when the walk is over. I got to view Andrew’s shots before I even loaded mine onto the computer (the boy is quick). Andrew had asked me if it was uncool to post process photos at our last shooting location. I said post processing is like darkroom work. If you think about taking a picture as merely registering light data on a CCD sensor and recognize that “straight out of the camera” is not a photograph in pure form (it undergoes basic algorithms as it is written to memory), then you know the post processing is where you bring that capture to your best recollection or representation of what you saw. Some people take post proc to extremes with great success, but most are not so successful at it. I generally dislike techniques that heavily distort reality. That’s just me. While I processed my photos I was pleasantly surprised by a few that I had little hope for and disappointed in a few that I expected to come out better – or differently. Shoot. Watch. Process. Learn. Repeat.
Thank you, Andrew, for shooting with me and helping me become a better photographer.
You can see Andrew’s full set on Flickr and you can find my full set on my photo blog.
My photowalk series will continue until I run out of photographer friends to arm twist into shooting with me.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
I personally like your photowalks. Keep at em. Oh, and Happy B-day!
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:04 am
So true about learning from others. That looks like fun and great results.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
Great pictures!!! Congrats :-)
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
Super fun! Thanks for getting me to do this… some of my favorite photos I have taken this year.
Yours ROCK! Well done!
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
I know we haven’t really met, but I always up for a photowalk.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Happy Birthday! Love your picture of the old lady and of course the three-seasons-in-one. I wish I were a better photographer, but sadly I am not.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:49 am
Happy Birthday! :) And great idea for the photowalks. Great, great shots – esp. love the first location photos, what amazing colors.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 am
Really great read, thanks for sharing, Jen! I love how Andrew is wearing the flip flops; I’ve decided that I’m going to wear them for as long as possible, even if that means purchasing toe socks.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 am
I love your take on post processing. You put so eloquently the way that I feel but had never before articulated.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
I *love* all the textures and angles that Andrew captured – abstracty stuff. The flip flops must have something to do with it. And I also love how you sought life and tangibles in your pics.
Happy Birthday, sweetie! I wish we could have all come together to celebrate your birthday!
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
What a lovely idea! I’ll think I’ll take my husband’s new Cannon and do my own ‘walk’.
Andrew, cutie, you remind me of my daughter. She can get by with wearing flipflops all winter long here in Texas! Your pictures are amazing – I particularly like the colors in #1.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Happy Birthday Jen! You deserve a special day, even “unofficially.” I hope you have a lovely evening.
And your pictures never fail to impress me! Glad you got to have Andrew’s advice and perspective too.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
…nonetheless, Happy Birthday! And thanks again for sharing lovely photos w/us!
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Happy Birthday! My other son’s birthday is today also. Love your pictures and Andrew’s. Anytime you guys want to wear your flipflops you’re welcome to come to Florida.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Feliz cumpleaños, Jen!
Thank you (and Andrew) for sharing your photowalk. Great photos!
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Happy Birthday and best wishes!
Aahhh, you live in such a magnificent place! Your pictures and Andrew’s are splendid!
Cheers,
Rosa
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
This was quite interesting – thanks!
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Wow, gorgeous photos. I love the portrait of the older woman on the bench. Gorgeous.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Love the shots — and *happy birthday*! :)
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Oh your photos amaze me, still. And I love that Andrew is wearing flips flops and a scarf–I totally do that for as long as I can into late Fall. Love those snow pics & story–amazing weather you have.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Happy birthday! Eat some cake, with or without the candles.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Happy birthday, have fun at blogher!
Really interesting set of photos. I recently inherited a D70 from my husband and I’ve started snapping a bit. I hate mucking around on photoshop but I’ve noticed even in the crappy windows software the different light and contrast completely changes a photo.
I’d be the total opposite of Andrew, I really hate having cold toes!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Happy birthday! Hope you get some wonderful food. Great shots here, I’m off to the photoblog.
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Beautiful photos and great blog!
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Jen..Happy B-day..hope you had/is haveing a great day :-P
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Wonderful pictures! Thanks to both of you and looking forward to more~
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Happy birthday!!
i love flipflops in cold weather! but then again i like it when my feet are cold and everything else is warm.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Gorgeous pics from both of you! And I would have loved to experience a day like yours (weather included). Have a great birthday…what’s left of it, that is.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
What a cool concept!! I could tell that it is a very fun and enriching experience!! I am off to look at the albums!
September 24th, 2009 at 1:19 am
This is reallyvery educational! Wonderful pics.
September 24th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Happy birthday and thanks for the great photos!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am
What lovely photos.
Happy Birthday to you!!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Photowalks are such fun. I certainly wish I could have seen the three seasons in person. How nicely you captured it.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hey Happy Birthday Fellow Libra–mine is today! I think you’re a Libra anyway, I know I am on the cusp….
Great post but had to say that the 3 season shot at the beginning was outstanding. VERY cool.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:59 am
happy birthday jen..wish u many more
September 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Happy birthday to you and love the pictures. The one of the old lady is so nice….
September 24th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Happy Birthday!!
September 24th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Happy Birthday!
I particularly like the one of the older lady as well. But I do like the first close up of Andrews with all the beautiful colors.
September 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Love this post! I took a photo class when I was at CU Boulder in the early 90’s, this brings back amazing memories for me. Make sure you celebrate your birthday big time when you get a chance, birthdays are the best!!
September 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Hi Jen! Now that it’s officially Fall, will you consider doing a post on congee? Growing up, congee has always been the ultimate comfort food for me. I only know how to make one version using pork neck bones, ginger, scallions, and those thousand year old preserved eggs. I saw earlier you mentioned your mom’s chicken congee and it had me drooling.
September 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
and PS – Happy birthday!!!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 2:17 am
I love the shot of the elderly lady… it is sublime. Well done, Jen!
September 25th, 2009 at 2:17 am
oh, and Happy Birthday!!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Same as Elizabeth, I love the picture of the elderly woman. Beautifully shot Jen ! But, your landscape pictures are also fantastic.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Fabulous photos of a fabulous place! Great comparison shots. Happy Birthday!
September 26th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Jen, happy belated bday! and… these are absolutely, ridiculously amazing! wow… you have outdone yourself!
September 26th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Gorgeous shots! Totally agree with you on processing.
I’ve got a friend who is also getting into photography and you’ve inspired me to try to talk him into trying a photo walk too!
September 27th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Crazy photos. I love the colours.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Have a Fantastic Birthday!!! May you feel the love all around you, especially from those who adore and absolutely love your blog, like me!
September 28th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Hey guys, thanks for your comments and all of the sweet sweet birfday wishes!!! Whatever photographer you are now, you can totally improve – just PRACTICE. Even screwing around, you will learn something. Seriously. Everyone has it in them. xxoo
Stepan – that’d be great!!
Jean – you will have to wait a few months as I am swamped with so many things. But perhaps this winter, I’ll do my mom’s congee :)
Peter – yes! It’s sooo educational. Definitely try it :)
September 30th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Hey! Happy late birthday, lady! Don’t I feel out of the loop. Hope you’re having fun shooting with Beth!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Erin!!! Thanks for the note :) We had a great shoot. Next time, you should come with! xxoo