National Geographic YOUR SHOT Program Visits Street Sense

Ken Martin

Shock, fun and awe is the best way to describe the outdoor, hands-on, professional seminar the Street Sense photography workshop experienced on November 17. Globally renowned photographer Mark Thiessen and other top-level National Geographic (NG) staffers made time to spend their morning and share their talents with us.

To top it all off, Channel Five’s Ronnie McCray tagged along to “follow a day in the life of Street Sense Vendor Ken Martin.”

A lot of action, cooperation, humor and serious learning occurred. It was a beautiful experience. Street Sense Photography Workshop leader and professional photographer Sue Dorfman described the seminar as a reminder as to how much there is still to learn about photography.

It is an adventure and a never ending processes. Mark Thiessen presented the best hands on lesson and demonstration of lighting, shadows, shading, props and shortcuts to good smart portraits. He demonstrated each technique and the workshop members used their cameras to try out each exercise presented.

“The best camera is, whatever you have with you,” Thiessen replied when asked about the type of camera one needed. “It’s the golden age of photography because the technology is available to almost anyone.”

For boring or mundane subjects, he recommended trying to be creative. For Portraits, train your eye to look for opportunities, i.e., background and lighting.

When shooting pictures take many of them, that way one avoids what I interpreted Mark to say as the “woulda, shoulda, coulda, I wish I had a ______” syndrome.

Do review your work and “go back and look at it often. Get rid of the extemporaneous material. Ken noted that all the effort he spent on trying to set the camera without success, was in vain, when all he needed to do was watch the sun, the cloud cover and just physically move.

Simple ploys, such as a hat, exposure, angle and placement can make all the difference in the world. Chon called the experience beautiful. Carlton said he got great shots, had a nice time and a lovely experience. Letisha seemed positively elated over the opportunity and inspiration she received from the NG team. And Jeffrey was motivated to try photography after being told that he had a good eye.

See what a little exposure, training and willingness to help your fellow human being can do? Matt Adams, new to National geographic, described the hiring process as being approximately six months-long, including portfolio presentations, interviews and patience. Originally from Pittsburgh and an instructor, Adams said he loves his job and it is exciting.

To be a photographer, he said you must look for good stories. See, feel and hear the passion from the subject matter. There must be an amazing history that stands out and grabs your attention.

For Portraits, Adams recommended trying to focus on personality. He demonstrated how to do this while posing as a portrait subject and then asking Chon to stand in. Adams directed and the other workshop members snapped photographs, practicing what they had visually just seen.

Shout Out program director Monica Corcoran recommended that we do photo studies on each other, an idea Sue Dorfman reinforced. This was an amazing session and one of the most exciting, informative and encouraging activities. We look forward to signing up for SHOUT OUT at National Geographic. Anyone can register and upload their photos for potential publication online or in print. Thank you National Geographic Shout Out! Also a big thanks for the sharp Shout Tee Shirts and pins.

Lauri Hafvenstein , Marie Mcgrory, Stephen Mefford and former Street Sense Board Chair Brad Scriber were the other awesome NG staff with us that morning. Special thanks also to NG librarian and Street Sense photography workshop volunteer Michael Mickey Jordan.


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