Shootout at Robinson Preserve Designed to Raise Awareness

I am hosting a Shootout at Robinson Preserve Jan. 4 and 5 to help raise awareness about this beautiful preserve and about conservation in general. Manatee County has some beautiful parks and preserves, but not nearly enough, especially given the rapid pace of growth. Charlie Hunsicker, Director, Parks and Natural Resources for Manatee County has said that Manatee is behind others in terms of setting aside land for conservation. We can do better all along the west coast of Florida. These lands are vital habitats for birds and wildlife, but also necessary for our own mental health and general well being.

The Shootout is also an opportunity to promote a wonderful local nonprofit, “Give a Kid a Camera.” The nonprofit works with underprivileged children locally and internationally to teach them communication and photography skills. They work with children on introducing themselves to people — looking them in the eye, shaking their hands, telling them their names and talking to them about their projects — and on storytelling. Sometimes it can be intimidating to go up to a stranger and talk to them. Give a Kid a Camera helps them get past that fear and helps instill a sense of pride in their abilities.

Photography is an amazing tool for story telling and it helps to build bridges with people. For example, this past summer Tom O’Neill, the founder of Give a Kid a Camera, worked with teenagers who were refugees from other countries and now living in Kentucky. He worked with the young photographers on their skills and gave them the assignment of telling their stories through the theme, “My Kentucky Home.” The project helped get the teenagers out in their communities and to show people how Kentucky had become home for them.

This nonprofit also helps keep the art of photography alive. It helps the students focus on others, on their surroundings and on what makes this world special. Tom has kept up with students he taught a decade ago. While they are not professional photographers, they have told him the skills they learned helped them in the careers they chose.

The Shootout at Robinson Preserve is an opportunity for photographers to tell a story about wildlife and conservation while just having fun. I am pleased that the most outstanding photo from the weekend will hang in the Valentine House this spring, showcasing an element of the preserve and why it matters to the county, I am grateful for the opportunity to promote conservation and to raise money for a worthy cause. I hope you all can join me.

Photo Provided/Tom O;Neill

Robinson Preserve, Manatee County, Florida

Robinson Preserve, Manatee County, Florida

Street Photography draws attention to every day public life

I’m leading a workshop on street photography this month and as part of my preparation to the class, I went through some old feature photos I took during my 30 years at the local newspaper. it has been a fun trip through memory lane. It’s also been eye-opening to see the things that have changed in the landscape over the years.

“Street Photography,” has a close relationship to documentary photography and photojournalism, It should tell a story, evoke an emotion and freeze a moment. It defines place and time. As I look at the street photography I have done before and since I left the newspaper, my favorite photos are the ones that tell a story in one frame.

First I should start with what I am talking about as “Street Photography” in this class. There are different kinds of street photography, but for me, it’s simply what I did as a photojournalist, to document every day life. It’s the stuff everybody sees, but don’t always pay attention to and a good photograph can make people stop and take notice.

Much of my more recent street photography has come from traveling. But you don’t have to travel to get great photos. Actually, by shooting photos locally, I have an intimate connection with where I live. Documenting local people and places can be eye-opening and Florida’s towns and its people have as much to offer in the way of storytelling as any other place in the world. Don’t miss out.

The things that make this type of photography interesting are universal. The first thing is people: their faces, their eyes, their actions. I love people-watching. We are interesting creatures. I also enjoy seeing people interact. Those moments tell stories and if you watch long enough, you are sure to see a story unfold.

The environment also is an important part of street photography — whether it’s the other people or animals around the action, or the colors, or the textures, the statues and art or the weather — these different elements add to the story telling and can make the viewer interpret what they see. I will admit I was surprised about what the photographers in my workshop saw in the photos and the questions they asked about each moment.

There is so much to consider when taking a photograph, that the more you take your time to watch, the better your photo will be. For me it is key to visualize, anticipate what could happen, and prepare for that moment. It all takes practice. But that’s the fun (and sometimes frustrating) part. The more you get out there and take photos the better your stories will be and the easier it will be to visualize and then anticipate your shots.

Also it is important to blend in with the crowd. If you want true documentary photos, sometimes you have to be part of the crowd that everyone sees but largely ignores. The more you go unnoticed the more you can catch people being themselves.

I believe It is ok to go up to people and introduce yourself and tell your subjects that you are working on a street photography project, especially if there are certain photos you want to get. Most people are flattered that you find them interesting. Yes sometimes you will get posed photos, but most times, people will eventually be themselves, even though you are there. Also if someone says they really don’t want you to take their photo, I would be respectful of their wishes.

I’ll be heading up to Ybor City with my workshop students and they’re going to test out my advice, and as always, if you have any tips or great locations for street photography, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.