Seeing Things Differently

Leading the photowalk was an enjoyable experience. I spent the day walking through the city with the participants, hunting for photographs, sharing techniques and ideas, and helping them find their own ways of seeing the places around them. One of the things I enjoyed most was seeing how different people could look at the same surroundings and come away with completely different photographs. For the theme “Reflections,” I initially thought of choosing a photograph that used techniques like framing or layering to complement the theme. Instead, I was drawn to a moment in a barbershop, where a newspaper and a mirror came together to give the theme both a literal and personal meaning. Of the photographs I made in that setting, I chose the frame that does not reveal the barber’s face. By leaving his face unseen, the question becomes one for all of us. The photograph became, for me, less about simply seeing a reflection and more about taking a moment to look back at ourselves.