I sit down (over Zoom) with my good friend Alvin Paringit. We talk photography. Inspiration. And walking. He sends me a link to Bryan Formhals' blog Way of the Walk. Whenever I meet Alvin I always talk about the "why" of photography and he always humours me. He's a great photographer in a purist sense. He loves the process. And however disconnected we've both been lately from the publishing and feedback of public engagement, he's always got a camera in hand. Or at least around a strap or in a bag or somewhere on his body.
Check out his work. Listen to our conversation. Let me know what your thoughts are on the idea that walking and the pursuit of self-development is at the core of photography. That mimicking great works should only be a step to greater things. We shouldn't hold ourselves back to simply recreating what we think is cool. Let's keep walking and build that next genre or image or moment!
My thought for you, dear reader, is to ask your opinions, of course, but also to be directed to your work that might reflect said opinion. Is photography better never seen? Or does it require an audience, and by relationship, approval? Do you feel that keeping a camera on you inspires you to be out int he world more? Or is it keeping you in a bubble where your interactions are specified as the observer rather than the absolute participant? Is there a difference and can one be better than the other? Finally, do you feel comfortable sharing bad pictures with me? If so, send them over! I’ve been looking to start a “bad picture” challenge - so if I get any response here, we’ll be off to the races. Exposing ourselves, for lack of a better pun.