2023.05.23

Far & Near

A Photo Walk with B&H and FujiFilm

Last month, I grieved the passing of my grandmother. It was particularly challenging for me, as I am separated from my family by distance. I know that this situation is not unique to me. Many of us living in New York City find ourselves separated from our loved ones, whether it be by cities, states, or even countries.

At the photowalk event with B&H and Fujifilm, I proposes a concept for our walk. I invited everyone to explore and capture the idea of “far and near” through their photographs. Whether by experimenting in compositions with foreground and background, or by delving into personal emotions, and capturing the feelings of togetherness or the poignant sense of being apart. Everyone was encouraged to capture what they see surrounding them and not just what’s been seen in front of them.

Throughout the walk, I also gave out small prompts such as “reflection selfies” and “the feeling of a warm embrace” to help engaging everyone’s idea, and to help searching for the unexpected scenes in the neighborhoods of lower Manhattan.

a collection of everyone’s photos from the walk:

Sissi Lu
Dominique Terteweh

See Dominique's post
Francisco Betancourt

See Francisco's post
Carl Rickard

See Carl's posts
Rob Focht

See Rob's post
Mia Blessinger

See Mia's Post
Monica Krystel Rose

See Monica's Post
Déborah S M

See Déborah's post
Inga Makeyeva

Check out Inga's IG
Carl Rickard

See Carl's post
Victor Alejandro

Check out Victor's IG
Francisco Betancourt

Watch Francisco's Video
Brendon Huang

See Brendon's Post
Minty Rachel

See Rachel's post
Joshua Lee Chinn

See Joshua’s Post
Gustavo Gutierrez

Check out Gustavo’s IG
Darryl Ebanks

See Darryl‘s Post
小草

See this Post
Temi

See Temi’s Post
Mike Godlewski

See Mike’s Post

Story Shared by You:

“Tall!”

I look over as we are about to step into the crosswalk together and realize she is motioning to me.

We share an intimate giggle (yes, it’s a thing) that the rest of the Lower East Side knows nothing of. I point to myself and furrowed my brow, as to make sure she is talking about me.

She is.

We laugh together again, her group of friends now joining in the discussion of my 6’3” stature. As we cross Canal Street together I point to my cameras and ask if she’d like a portrait with her friends. She smiles and nods her head.

I load my Fujifilm Instax camera and snap a polaroid to hand off to the group. I smile and ask if I might take one on film to remember this moment, to which they happily nod their heads.

I capture the moment (slide 1) on portra 800 120 film and thank them for their kindness and positivity that brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. I wave goodbye (slide 2) and turn to hug Sissi on the corner of Canal and Eldridge as the sun lights up every corner of the neighborhood. We smile.

💐

Thank you to @sissi_lu for fostering such a beautiful space at the beginning of this photo walk, sharing candidly of your life and feelings that afternoon prompted a reminder to me of the sincerity and heart with which we can walk through all of life…even when it is really hard.

Sincerity is scary. Rest is even scarier. I’m calling in more of both to my life.