Peter Turnley comes to speak to NYCSalt
Last week on April 22, world reknown photojournalist Peter Turnley gave us some of his time and expertise and showed a selection from the vast archive of images he has created since he was a teenager. He talked about the first project he did with his twin brother, David Turnley, who is also a photojournalist, when they were just sixteen years old. It is called "McClellan Street" and it was a street in a neighborhood different from the one where the Turnleys lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For Peter, "it wasn't about making photographs -- it was about experiencing life" which brought him to do that project. He had "a desire to enter new worlds" and the camera was his passport.
Here are some of his words of wisdom:
"Shoot with a consistent style - It's like writing. You wouldn't change writing styles in the middle of a story"
"If you get nervous, do it. If you don't, it'll become harder, if you do, it'll become easier" (This particularly applies to photographing people on the street or anywhere that it might be somewhat challenging).
"We, as people have radar. You can usually tell who's good or who's bad"
"Learn to have the courage to be calm and look people in the eye" - don't look away after you make a photo of someone.
"We all like to be flattered, admired, honored. You have to charm people, seduce them [with your camera]"
"The First Amendment of our Constitution (Freedom of Speech) protects your right as a photographer to make photos in a public place. This is particularly good to know if someone challenges you.
"If someone doesn't want me to make their picture, I don't do it."
"Let people organize themselves the way they want to be seen. You don't always need to tell them how to pose. Oftentimes, just letting happen naturally creates the most interesting images."
....and the best advice of all, told to Peter, when he was a shy teenager, by one of his teachers:
"Every time you find yourself looking down at the ground, lift your head."
Peter obviously has a wonderful love of life and appreciation for all the different kind of life that exists in this world. The NYCSalt students listened in complete silence, totally drawn in by Peter's images and words.
It was a great day.