Street photography: From workshops to personal projects - interview with Valerie Jardin
Valerie, you are an acclaimed international photographer, based in Minneapolis, educator running workshops across the globe. To get started and for our readers to get to know you better, how would you define your style and your approach to photography?
Bonjour! I am mostly known for my documentary photography, also known as street photography. Recording the beauty of everyday life with my camera is definitely what I love the most. I’m a visual storyteller and I stay true to the genre of street photography by only capturing candid moments. I never stage anything. It would be too easy and there would be no merit to it. The reason why street photography is so difficult is because the photographer only has control of the gear and his/her vision. We have no control over what the subject is going to do. We have a fraction of a second to record something that has never happened before and will never happen again.
The challenge is such that it makes it very addicting. If it was easy, what would be the appeal? I am also a gear minimalist and I believe in the power of limitations of one camera, one lens and making decisions before pressing the shutter to get the shot in camera with as little post processing as possible, if any.
Photography is an art form and you don’t become a better photographer by spending time in post processing. You only become a better photographer by getting the photograph right in camera. Post processing is wonderful to make minor tweaks, but not to make the photograph. When I’m not photographing life on the streets I also enjoy architectural abstract and contemplative photography. I literally live and breathe in pixels.
You run photography workshops in many cities, can you walk us through a typical day? Any best memories of one of your workshops you could share with us?
When I started my first workshop, I designed it the way I would want it for myself as a customer. Teaching workshops is such a reflection of one’s personality. Two people will never do it the same way. The approach is as unique as the photo style of the individual.
My photography workshops range from two days to seven days so the approach is slightly different depending on the amount of time we have. Shorter workshops have group critiques whereas longer workshop have 1:1 critiques for example. Overall a typical day is hours of instructions on the streets. I work with my students on specific techniques throughout the day and give as much individual attention as possible. I’m always available after hours and often we all share drinks and dinner together and the teaching never stops. Every workshop is special.
We share so many special moments, it’s like a family. Many students meet me year after year in different cities around the world. Seeing the growth in their skills is amazing and the best gift for an educator.
I was really touched by your initiative #Dosomethingfornothing; can you tell us more about this project?
#DoSomethingForNothing is a very special project indeed. Joshua Coombes reached out to me several years ago when he was taking his project outside of the UK and was hoping to have a photographer meet him in Paris for a few hours and document his work. Josh gives haircuts to the homeless community. Although I was not in Paris at that particular time, we met a year later and I followed him for a few days on the streets of New York, Paris and Minneapolis.
We had a beautiful exhibit in a gallery here in Minneapolis a couple years ago were we displayed the photographs and the stories that we recorded along the way. This was such a humbling project and I took full part in it. I wasn’t only the photographer, I was present as a human being first, photographer second. Josh and I heard so many touching stories, exchanged tears, laughs and hugs with so many who felt invisible. His work is truly inspiring and I wish there were more people like Josh in the world.
In your latest book "Street photography assignments - 75 reasons to hit the streets and learn" you talk about practical exercises people can try out to discover street photography. Can you tell us more?
Yes I wrote this latest book because one of the most common things I hear from people on the streets, online or via my podcast is that they are not inspired to go out and shoot every day or they’re not motivated.
This book, published by Rockynook, will help people get out with their camera with a goal, an assignment. 75 reasons to hit the streets and learn. No more excuses. It is perfect for beginners and experienced photographers alike. Each assignment is followed by a description of the technique and sample photographs from my own work.
The electronic version has been available for several weeks, the paper book version will be out in December. It’s been very successful and is already going into translation.
To know more about Valerie: