Playing Work

Last week, after 2 days working on a video production in New York I had a couple free hours to explore the city and shoot pictures for myself. It sounds odd, but as a professional photographer I don't shoot that many pictures for me. It's a sad truth that I am working to change by allotting more time for personal work.

Personal work is the whole reason I became a photographer. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job! I enjoy all types of photography and am blessed by having the opportunity to shoot a wide variety of subject matter, but it has become a rare occasion that I make time to shoot without any preconceived intention. It seems silly, but this has become difficult for me. I'm constantly thinking, can I use this in my portfolio, for an epromo, etc? By thinking this way I allow myself to control my creativity instead of simply allowing it to flow freely.

The idea of a photo walk was originally introduced to me by a good friend, Ian Summers. For useful advice and inspiration check out his blog and artwork. Ian has been helping me define myself as a photographer and encouraging me to unleash my creativity. Ian defines a photo walk as "a photographic sketchbook – an exercise in seeing." A photo walk is to be without attachment to how the photographs will be used.

So, with that in mind I set out last Saturday with camera in hand and open eyes. After dropping my friend off in the meat packing district, I made my way toward the High Line based on his recommendation. It was a gorgeous day to be in NY and I found myself wandering around, looking at whatever interested me. I was walking for almost 3 hours and probably only covered about 1 mile. Slow and steady.

I found myself being drawn to textures and graphic compositions. I shot a total of 48 images or the equivalent of 2 rolls of film. I took my time, allowing subjects to present themselves. I didn't try to control the situation but rather waited for what Cartier-Bresson called the decisive moment.

This photo walk was therapeutic in the sense that I allowed myself to see whatever I wanted to see. There was no one but me deciding what to shoot. It felt great and after going back through what I shot I realized I had some images that I wanted to share. I'm not sure what they say about me as a photographer, but that's not the point. I think the point is that they represent one of the many ways in which I see the world. Below are three photos from this photo walk. If you want to see my 15 favorite, click HERE.

In the month of February we've had over 3 feet of snow. Despite continuously digging our way out of our house, we have been relishing in all of the fun activities we can do in the snow, primarily snowboarding. We have lovingly been calling each storm, "Snowpocalypse," because of the fear induced by the media. I'm not sure who coined the term, but I think it's fantastic.

This past weekend we grew tired of fighting the crowds at our local ski resort and decided to have a backyard snowboard session. I thought this would be a good opportunity to try out a new camera. My friend Aaron, whom I've known since I was a child happens to have a mini ramp in his backyard. Back in the fall we painted a giant American flag on half of this mini ramp so we thought this would be a fun backdrop for snowboarding in the country. (Aaron lives next to a farm)

Aaron, Brian (another old friend) and I took our snowboards, shovels, a case of Pabst, my new camera and a couple portable strobes into the heart of the Snowpocalypse. We played all day while friends, lovers, and siblings stopped by to hang out for a while. That's right, three grown men playing in the snow on a Saturday afternoon.

I took my camera along with that same playful intention in mind. As a professional photographer it's sometimes hard to just let myself play with no final composition or end use in mind. We set up a number of different scenarios with Aaron sliding across the top of his ramp. I played with different lighting and various compositions throughout the afternoon in between snowboarding and beer drinking.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of allowing yourself to just play. It frees your creativity and keeps you inspired to shoot more. Playing contributes to a happier you and a happier you gives you energy and motivation. That's why we play work.

Here are a few images from last Saturday. I carried that same playfulness into the retouching of these images. I did things in photoshop that I normally wouldn't do and things I've never done before. And that is essentially the idea behind play . . . create something you've never done before. Children create all the time so why can't grown men do it? I don't know that any of these images are particularly spectacular, but they are new to me. They are unlike anything I've ever done and that gives me motivation to continue exploring ways to play as a photographer. The possibilities for photography are endless as long as you keep playing.

How do you play?

Our new wedding and custom portrait website is now live!  Treat Yourself at www.csphotographs.com and browse Chace + Smith Photography's latest work.

Chace + Smith Photography and Ryan Smith Photography are now live as two unique sites.  Our wedding and custom portrait photography is now represented by the Chace + Smith Photography brand, while our commercial and editorial work now falls within the Ryan Smith Photography brand.  We are excited about this distinction as we feel it will allow us to define our work more fluidly to our clients, be they ad agencies or brides-to-be.

Each site (hosted by LiveBooks) has its own individual style and design.  The Chace + Smith Photography site highlights our work as a husband and wife team capturing the magic of life's greatest moments.  Likewise, the Ryan Smith Photography site allows Ryan's work as a talented photographer to shine through to commercial, advertising, and editorial clients.

We hope you enjoy browsing through our new and improved websites!

Nadav Kander has been a photographer that I have admired for some time. He may be known best for his portrait work, but this project titled "Yangtze, The Long River" is absolutely stunning. Kander traveled from the mouth of the Yangtze 4100 miles to its source . . . a journey of epic proportions.

Both beautiful and haunting, these images compel me to search for more. This work inspires me in a way that few other photographer's projects have. These photographs are both contemplative and in your face, lonely and oppressive, critical and objective.

The scale of these landscapes is daunting. The geographic transformation of China and this mighty river are hard to believe in words, but Kander's photographs show the real transformation. What we are looking at here is a country in turmoil with itself. It's a country trying to learn how to grow without imploding. In Kander's photos we get a glimpse into this world and how this turmoil is affecting millions of people that have been displaced during the transformation of the Yangtze.

I urge you to take 10 minutes to watch this slideshow with commentary by Mr. Kander. I hope it will inspire you as it has me.

(Press Release)

Last Friday I had the privilege of sharing some of my favorite work from our Creative Highways Project in a gallery setting. I shared the exhibition with Staci Grimes and Stacey Ferree, two fantastic local photographers.

We had a great turnout and I can't emphasize enough how much I appreciate my friends and family coming out to show their support. It means a lot to have such a supportive community. This support is just one more reason that we have chosen to live in a small town like Mercersburg. Knowing that my neighbors support my endeavors is a great reward. This community of creative, energetic and motivated people highlights our reasons for wanting to live and operate our business in rural Pennsylvania.

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to last Friday's opening. If you weren't able to make it then, the photographs will be on display until February 20th, so stop in and check out what I'm puttin' out.

(posted by Ryan)