Bushido Loc: No Where and Every Where

Before we get started with the challenge there is one idea floating between several members about having another Palooza. At this time we are looking for it to be held in Portland, Maine most likely in late September of 2015. We are throwing this out now to see how many might be interested. If enough show interest we will incorporate in the planning an attempt to get a block of rooms set aside with group rates at one motel. We will also send out an agenda and any additional cost that might come up. You will not be locked in if you show interest today and change your mind later, this is just to get some Idea of what we would be looking at. PM Pat or myself if this is of interest. Thanks.


Walking along side Walker Evans

The title was change from “In the Footsteps of Walker Evans” to what it is now being shown because no one can duplicate someone else's work, however we can learn from it. As stated before this forum was designed to help us learn from one another. Many work diligently on the challenges and continually improve the quality of images they display here. This challenge is a 'next step' in taking photographic skills to another level. As most of the old timers know my challenges have been based on seeing. Seeing the image before photographing, seeing new images in old pictures, seeing light and shadows and how they together make an image. This is going to be a new seeing experience. Below are links to the works of Walker Evans one of Americas greatest documentary photographers. Mr. Evans photographed in Cuba and France as well as America. He is best known for his work photographing the sharecroppers of the south while working for the U.S. Farm Security Agency and the Resettlement Agency in West Virginia and Pennsylvania during the depression. However his subject matter spans much more than what he is best noted for.

The challenge is to look at his work, the lighting, the subject, and the feeling he projected in his images and attempt to do the same in yours. I do not mean duplicate his work, what each should be attempting to do is improve their individual photographs past a casual snapshot. The work doesn't need to be in B&W, however B&W can convey mood, emotion and create lasting impressions without the visual distractions or flaw cover ups sometimes associated with color images. Many are used to shooting color and posting in color is fine, however I encourage you to give B&W a try.

Happy Shooting

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/a-new-look-at-walk-evanss-american-photographs/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

http://www.shorpy.com/walker-evans-photographs?page=1

As a footnote: We all can gain from each and every challenge. In designing this challenge I also had to examine Walker Evans’s work, and found that my past B&W images in several cases had too much contrast and I was loosing a lot of definition throughout the image. Because of this I have change some of my post production ideas and open up the shadows as well as soften the highlights. It is my hope you will gain an equal amount of knowledge from this challenge.






This image screamed to be done in color

plessner Loc: North Dakota

this looks to be very interesting Bushido, hope you will soon be feeling better--will think about the palooza--time of year might not work for me,boohoo. Also a sad loss in the family unexpectadly to cancer--so might not get much shooting time till later in the week, if at all

Bushido Loc: No Where and Every Where

Sorry for your lose Kathrine and don't worry about the challenge.

Agnesm Loc: Florida

Richard Enjoyed your start. Will see if I can come up with something.

Bushido Loc: No Where and Every Where

Thank you Agnes hope you do.

Sher Loc: Colorful Colorado

I have had fun looking in to the works of Walker Evans.... I find them interestingly simplistic and real....... I have attempted to create, from my images, a few of the favorites that I saw when looking at his.......

This is my grandson Ryland..... I styled it after Evan's work "Tenant Farmers Daughter-1936


This is the cemetary that my dad is buried in.... From his grave you can see the neighborhood that my grandfather grew up in... We also lived in this neighborhood next door to my grandma until I was 5 years old. I styled it after Evans work "The Neighbors-1936


I took this downtown.... It is styled after Evans "Sun Coffee Shop"- 1935

Bushido Loc: No Where and Every Where

Absolutely beautiful work Sher.

PAToGraphy Loc: Portland ME area

WOW, Sher. Now I am afraid to post!

PAToGraphy Loc: Portland ME area

I have reviewed the links, and some others several times and find Evans' work thought provoking, portraiture that sticks in my mind, and commentary on "life" - sometimes in the extremes. It has challenged my B&W skills, or lack thereof. I have been preparing for this challenge and have learned much so far. This series is one of those commentaries on life - all the images were done thins week. I would title it "Recycle(d)"

Toss it in a Dumpster


Send it to the scrap yard


Make Neat Tidy Bundles


Sell It by Using a Fancy Name "Architectural Salvage"


Hang it in a Window, Someone Might Buy It


Use Your Hands


How Can You Recycle People...

Bushido Loc: No Where and Every Where

Here are a few more to keep it going.

Bushido Loc: No Where and Every Where

Pat, you put yourself own style into what W.E. would have done. Good job.

Sher Loc: Colorful Colorado

Thanks..... Had fun doing it

Sher Loc: Colorful Colorado

Beautiful Pat...... All are nicely done

PAToGraphy Loc: Portland ME area

I can tell already this is going to be one of my favorite threads.

Sher Loc: Colorful Colorado

Very nice...like the second one best