a day with NYC photographer Melissa O'Shaughnessy -- Walkie Talkie ep. 24

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#streetphotography #photography

[@c.hocson]

“Carrying a camera with intent makes you attuned to everything in the world”

[@laymanrob]

What a quote!

[@HansdeHeer]

This one really resonated with me. Great video, so much great advice from an exceptional streetphotographer.

[@TravisHenson777]

My girlfriend and I literally paused the video on this moment and talked for like 20 minutes… when I came back (after my Ted Talk, of course) to restart the video, I noticed your comment. Such a good take.

[@usuallyroamingrob3427]

Something she said that really resonated with me, “I want the photo more then I fear the consequences.” I can totally empathize with this.

[@Termidryna]

A good picture is always worth a row.

[@TheGoodContent37]

I have a phobia for deep water. Dont know how to swim. But once decided to take photos underwater. Used scuba diving tools, got a 20 minutes training and then I was diving into a sink hole 15 meter deep taking stunning pictures without for a single second thinking in anything else. When i got out i realized the thing i just did i almost passed out for the terror. But i did it again like 3 or 4 times in different days. Fear dissapears when passion is on your side.

[@baobo67]

@@TheGoodContent37 Great feeling. "Did I really just do that?" Then being more ecouraged to just take a deap breath and have a go. Cheers

[@miggs4569]

So true, but stay away from cliffs pls

[@tulasnaps]

So much more difficult to try this in Latin America. It’s been tough but a good challenge

[@FrancisPierre]

This is by far the best Walkie Talkie to date. An incredible street photographer with so much good advice.

[@thomastuorto9929]

I don’t watch all of these but feel this is one of the best about Street Photog vids I have seen.

[@MKWHD]

Yes! I concur. Super good! She seems so down to earth.

[@HHTV60]

@@MKWHD well, you need to put in at least 10 years in a profession to be good. and she has been doing it for 10 years. so, she's a professional street photographer, not a KZbin presenter sitting behind the desk and talking about cameras.

[@kenduejones]

Definitely 💯

[@jordanbenkiel2589]

I don’t think so but great video

[@marks3678]

As a male photographer I can tell you now, I never take photos of kids. It's not worth the risk. Too many people out there ready to label you as something horrible. I stick to building, reflectives, architecture and nature. I prefer the simple life.

[@philt_uk]

I'm a middle aged man and I take loads of photos of kids. My intent isn't anything bad obviously and I think it shows in the way I hold myself when I shoot.

[@thelemon5069]

Agree with the replier here you shouldn't have to have that kinda fear

[@23codez]

Yup! Last thing I want is for someone to scream out PEDOPHILE!

[@23codez]

​@philt_uk you're missing the whole point 😂

[@23codez]

​@@deegeeofpenrynask for permission? 😂

[@DenisMark1]

Adding to the chorus - She is the REAL DEAL. I love that you're showing someone who isn't twenty-something and that you can shoot something other than Leica and film (I know that's an exaggeration, but an AWFUL lot of young street photographers seem to be doing this) - mind you she is sporting a six thousand dollar camera, so it's not like "digicam love." The bottom line is that she is an AMAZING teacher and her work is as good as anything out there. So many fantastic images. She should be on the faculty of some college inspiring young photographers. Thank you so much for sharing her with us.

[@DenisMark1]

@Adrian-wd4rn mea culpa! Although to some of us here, you're still young in your thirties. 🙂 And to his credit Paulie had showcased other older photographers... although most of those shoot Leicas as well...(not all!) Happy shooting!

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

People born in the film era all switched to digital and all people born in the digital era switched to film. Go figure.

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

@@stratocactus Your images are good or bad. Film doesn’t teach you that.

[@Armitage01101]

I have no idea why they're so insistent on shooting street with film and a Leica too. Not only is the camera expensive (and most of them look broke), shooting streets with film is a massive expense given the rate of failure with street photography. To be clear, I've done both digital and film, have expensive analog cameras and develop my own film too. Unlike some other photography genres where the medium is just a matter of stylistic choice, digital is simply better for street photography.

[@Armitage01101]

@@stratocactus It's not really true that film teaches you more than digital, it's just that digital eggs you to shoot more and reflect on what you're doing less. You could just shoot a Nikon FE in auto mode and come out of the process none the wiser.

[@raemiranda1]

"Most photographer are driven by a profound sense of optimism... maybe that's why we like each other so much!" TRUE

[@lbtaschler]

She is great! And she mentioned these artist (if you want to borrow some books from the library): edward weston harry callahan ray metzker garry winogrand joel meyerowitz lee friedlander robert frank helen levitt dorothea lange berenice abbott lisette model "sonata" by aaron schuman

[@equal___]

doing Gods work!

[@krassilo]

"Pay attention like a child, because there's no real hierarchy. They're looking at everything, because the world is fascinating." Love this. Thanks for doing these, bro!

[@rnil0]

Melissa is spitting facts! Street photography feels exactly like meditation when I’m doing it. It’s the ultimate feeling of being in the moment with the world. There’s a reason why walking meditation is very much a part of a zen/meditation practice. Taking photos is the only thing I’ve experienced that comes close to it.

[@santanuchanda]

Agree 100%👌✨

[@xbriskx]

calm down

[@MKNYC_]

Dude this was so good, 38 minutes just flew what an awesome guest Melissa was.

[@alandargie9358]

Agree 100% - I could have watched two or three hours of this! A very talented lady.

[@kennethlavalle1608]

Melissa really appreciates the value of mistakes and completely understands the excitement when a frame and a moment come together 📷

[@gumanow]

Not only is Melissa a great street street photographer, and someone that can articulate profound distinctions of shooting, but she is genuinely a nice and sweet person to meet in person. Paulie, I'm so glad that you take the time and energy to make these videos and share they with us.

[@ScuberUberFlow]

Her wisdom, grace, and emotional intelligence is magical.

[@andrewmahon4290]

Loving seeing these videos of female photographers. Every one has been fantastic 👏🏻 Melissa’s work is exceptionally good

[@andrewmahon4290]

Having now fully watched the video, I’d like to commend Melissa's lucid thought process and eloquence in verbalising those thoughts. Your skill in conducting interviews while on the move is really impressive too 👍🏻

[@sehmuzb]

By far the best walkie talkie episode. She is the real deal and it showed.

[@Monochromatic77]

Best episode ever. Nice to see someone with a different style and less concerned w trends rather than just getting good shots. The mother daughter book store shot is great, you can see Joel’s influence in her eye👍🏻

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

Melissa's perspective on optimism being the life blood of photographers is so accurate. She is an absolute wealth of knowledge and a damn good photographer.

[@martinhall932]

I love her vocabulary. She's articulate with words as well as with photos.

[@CupcakeCottage]

That’s the way everyone used to speak.

[@ethan_exxplores]

As a new photographer just getting into the art, this is insanely inspiring

[@RagsCS]

LOVE when you have veteran photographers on the channel, it really helps people (like myself) get a different perspective and gives us much needed advice!

[@stevemphoto]

This is the MUST watch street photpgraphy content on KZbin. Love this series! Makes me want to leave work, grab my camera and hit the streets!

[@johnvr1]

I love it when my prejudices are broken. At first, a lady with dual residency in NYC and Connecticut struck me as just a rich wannabe, but over time I was impressed by her shots, her persistence and her wisdom. Kudos to you and her! For a 60-year-old guy, she's an inspiration (but how does she walks so fast?).

[@josepartida1711]

she's a new yorker, they gotta walk fast lol

[@mrstandfast2212]

That is one of the most interesting photography films I've watched in an age. The constantly moving backdrop and sounds of the city was like I was actually there. Melissa is an engaging and communicative subject, and what she had to say was thankfully free of self importance. Likewise, the interviewer was perfect in that they let the subject speak with little prompting from them, a rare attribute these days. Add that to her wonderful images, and the fact that she didn't bore with discussions about her camera or lenses, she just got on with what she likes to do. I shall now go and watch some of the others in this series. Thank you for a most enjoyable film.e

[@pierreghazarian6087]

it’s great to see serious and skilled people not taking themselves too seriously

[@winslow_j]

This is really great. I love her work, she's got a ton of knowledge to share, and I always love seeing female street photographers being highlighted. Only watched 10 minutes so far but I can't wait to finish this one

[@Jan_Jespersen]

@X D compared to what?

[@MV-bn6ez]

@X D Show us your pictures

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

It's not Melissa who takes the photo, it's the photo that takes Melissa. A humble attitude in the service of a view of humanity.

[@jd87a]

A lot of good wisdom here -- would love to see more Walkie Talkies with older street photographers. Can we get Matt Weber? Also great Daniel Arnold cameo at the end there

[@kostyafedot551]

Very mature talk! It is great to have videos like this where fathers of street photography are mentioned. It is important to have street photography history preserved.

[@patrick8035]

Love how candid she was about her shyness at the beginning - that’s definitely the hump that I have still yet to get over, so it’s great to see the result of someone who overcame their shyness in this genre

[@StevenBrener]

Wow...such terrific shots. Amazing how she's able to capture so many fleeting moments of interest that most of us would fail to recognize or be ready enough to capture.

[@trix-4656]

One of your best interviews. She spoke and we listened.

[@fotofillholland]

The way she expresses and communicates passion is just as inspiring as Joel's talent for the same thing, it's difficult to not be taken away with it.

[@metalfingersfilm]

fuck yeah paulie, this series is so so fire dude. honestly some of the best photography content on the platform. every episode is filled with so many lessons and tid bits of invaluable industry knowledge.

[@ammyBS]

My new favorite, everything from what she says to how she expresses herself, and the photographs, amazing, great episode!

[@ZenoWatson]

This was an important walkie talkie Paulie, for woman photographer's and all of us. Melissa is amazing!

[@EgoDrivenFilms]

This guy catching GREAT moments in the background without intending to. NYC is a unique place. Thank you for the walkie talkie!

[@enkayk]

Refreshing non hipster, straight up person down to earth interview :)

[@ancheno7167]

What I really like about this interview and the others are the DOUBTS those photographers have. It's refreshing

[@LennartPetersson]

This Walkie Talkie is just freaking good. The talk, the light, the sound, just everything says - take me there, I want to walk there with a camera!

[@sebastianfernandez6146]

I think photographers are the most thoughtful people out there. Really interesting and insightful interview.

[@rf.photographs]

One of the best Talkies. Vibe/energy of a mom/auntie but dropping straight photography GEMS. Lol

[@eddie_g]

Melissa’s words and experience trigger inspiration in me to see moments everywhere I walk in life.

[@J.ortegadesign]

Nothing like waking up to a new episode of Walkie Talkie 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@belaacs5238]

She could teach 90% of YT street photographers, what is street photography all about. No funny clothing, no bs, no high fives, no playing big shots like those 90% do.

[@nunodores]

Definitely the most inspiring Walkie Talkie to date. Thank you for bringing her in!

[@monkeypawism]

She's very tuned in. "Funny, without making fun". Thanks for exposing her - will be fan.

[@BrianBoycePhotography]

This is one of the best interviews like this I’ve seen of any Street Photographer. Melissa was able to express so passionately and eloquently the nature and beauty of street

[@nicholasdavidsmith]

I’ve only been shooting for a year and a half and this was some of the most inspiring advice I’ve ever seen. So many great quotes and cool life stories!

[@fffffffff1763]

I have my first photo walk with a bunch of people coming up in about an hour. I’ve been binging these videos. Thanks so much for these.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

paulie-melissa was FANTASTIC! thank you both for the effort and the sharing. i was so impressed by melissa's generous spirit tossing out these inspirational gems. but i also LOVED her images. they are so well made. compositionally, they are filled with life from edge to edge. f8? no blown highlights, nails exposure. woowoo. and the color's were vivid yet not too too. so impressive. BIG thumbs up.

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

If you have a Sony a1 and you manage to blow the highlights, there is something seriously wrong about what you’re doing. You basically just have to set the camera on aperture priority and auto iso, the camera will do the rest, that’s the beauty of a modern camera.

[@Pysees868]

Only eleven minutes in, and I'm so enjoying Melissa. So much wisdom.

[@rajeevasamarawickrama1475]

The best Walkie Talkie to date. This one’s an online educational course unto itself. You’re doing such a great service to the entire street photography community (and the genre). Thanks Paulie B.

[@dominey]

Watching this just reminds me how much I miss the energy, rhythm and pulse of NYC. There's a flow to it, and Melissa is bobbing and weaving through it like a surfer riding a wave. Really cool.

[@babettesfeast6347]

Every single sentence is a profound sense of considered wisdom and her photos are world class.

[@scriptings]

This watch was so inspiring to me. She manages to be both practical and profound in her outlook on photography. She clearly has a well trained eye. Love a bunch of the shots she got in this video

[@willw6126]

Absolutely love this. Hearing that someone so talented was shy to start off with gives me hope that I can overcome that boundary

[@SYLPHone]

Wow this is one of my favorites from this series so far. Her personality glows and so do her photos. Fantastic.

[@sawknee]

Paulie, thank you for this series. These videos are historic and will continue to inspire for many years to come!

[@brettwood737]

Mate, these walks talkies are at the top of my must view list. I’m learning a heap and it’s good to hear from so many different voices.

[@EnjoiRom1]

This serie does not stop getting better ! Thank you Paul for those videos, now I'm gonna take my camera and go roam the streets.

[@blackcameraphoto]

I can definitely see my idea of her in her pictures!!!! Her photos are amazing and her explanation of her intentions is inspiring! Bravo 🎉🎉🎉

[@jordhon]

Yes to these longer Walkie Talkies!!! Loved this. So many great lessons. Just makes me wanna get out and shoot :')

[@rkulla]

First 10 minutes alone, everything she said was spot on and practical. Can't wait to finish the video after work.

[@Dudehomiemanbra]

Just amazed at how fantastic Melissa's dialogue, creative insight and wisdom are in this WT episode. Thanks you guys!

[@timblass4811]

Only 2 minutes in and already love her attitude, wisdom and images! Great video!

[@allendrexel7622]

An amazing interview! Melissa is such an inspiring, curious, thoughtful, and eloquent artist, and all of those qualities absolutely shine through here. Congrats to you both.

[@gisele6961]

Excellent feature. I've loved watching MIssy's work for years. Always fun to run into her on the street and she has a lot of wisdom to share.

[@hanumanguy]

What a wonderful personality Melissa has. Very informative and inspiring. I am also 62 so this resonates a lot with me. Great video Paulie.

[@h1brd]

This was an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you for making this. As someone who tries to take photos in the streets of New York this was equally inspiring, educational and sobering. Melissa is incredible at capturing this city.

[@martinlawrence8427]

Love Melissa…great photographer. Her passion, drive, dedication and intelligence shine through!

[@lasouteavoile8550]

Incredibly inspirational. So delightful to realize that there are still some true humanist around. Thank you both for sharing

[@rakim7484]

27:55 walking and taking such a photo is just pure talent. It is SO perfectly framed

[@speedy6743]

these videos are really inspiring, spent my whole life taking pictures and filming things but never realized my passion for it, I actually lost touch with it for awhile… started to think I just didn’t have the drive for anything. Thank you so much.

[@LunarCatOnAir]

Such an inspirational, fresh and light person. She's radiant. Thank you so much.

[@danny_liao]

Melissa is a legend! Her photographs with the "SONY" is much MUCH better than many of the idolized Leica shooters out there right now. Thanks for putting her on. She has so much knowledge to offer.

[@ZachNagy]

The wisdom packed in these 38 minutes. is incredible and invaluable!

[@davelawler695]

Your walkie talkies are pure gold, all of them. Thank you so much.

[@Apok_Black]

For me, this channel is akin to a museum gallery. So much inspiration flowing and ebbing throughout, that it is impossible not to be inspired from it all. So for that, I give you many a thank you. Keep doing what you do, it's so important to the art and craft of not only street photography but photography in itself.

[@sommelierofstench]

i just want to thank you for putting these up man. shedding light on people who are putting in the work and have some serious insight. she is a great photographer, surgical precision with that sony.

[@erikd1012]

This is the greatest Walkie Talkie I've watched so far. Marvellous. Great photographer!

[@homomagus]

It's wonderful that there is a photographer who captures people and the era, not just the flawless lines of architecture. Buildings without people are dead, and we are so afraid to get close to people that we have already forgotten what a person looks like just on the street, how he walks, how he is dressed, what he thinks about and where he is in a hurry. Remarkable work of the author.

[@pedalpa3998]

Certainly my favorite of the Walkies. She is talented, brilliant and a great communicator. Her passion shows and you were smart enough to let it flow naturally. Well Done

[@Gay-Icon]

The fact that this incredible woman started street photog in what imagine is her 50s, gives me hope. I always imagined that to begin the process in my 30s was too late. With that said, she is so mesmerisingly introspective and philosophical; I really enjoyed listening to this and drinking in all of her wisdom. It must have been an absolute pleasure to do this photo walk with her. I'm going to check her work out.

[@eastbaystreet1242]

I am getting back into photography now that I have more time at age 62. It will take a year or so to reduce the failure rate, but I will be having fun throughout the journey. I will shoot limited film and mostly digital. And who says a 68 year old can't take great pics (allowing myself a few years to get better at it).

[@MariaMunoz-rz1nz]

I have enjoyed this so much! I l lived in Nyc for many years, and the last few I started doing street photography. It changed my world! Everything she said resonated with me, she’s the real deal. I got a bit homesick!

[@brandontenney4659]

Ive seen every episode multiple times, and this is by far one of my faves! Great work!👏🏻❤️

[@ndjk2821]

"Shoot with your right brain, edit with your left brain." -- great quote.

[@imjooboy]

I love her candidness about her work

[@christinacooperfilm]

I love the remark about warming up your shutter finger. I loved the advice and remarks from Joel Meyerwitz that she shared. The whole episode was lovely!!! I'm looking forward to watching it again. This was fantastic!!!!

[@aaronenglish2638]

“ it’s so inefficient”. So true.

[@chirantanr]

What an interview! So much wisdom just casually dropped. I gotta watch this again!

[@MKRShoots]

OH how happy am I to see women photographers! I love her!

[@alandargie9358]

What a great video! I've had this in my "to watch later" list for ages, but kept putting it off because of the 38 minute length! But wow Melissa fills that time with gems and nuggets of goodness, both verbal with her ongoing commentary on street photography and action as we watch her break off momentarily to take a photo. Brilliant! The quality of the photos is stunning, both the content and the pure image quality.

[@JonathanRobinson11]

I cannot tell you how helpful this interview was. Thank you and thank you Melissa!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Man this video makes me so happy. Love Melissa's perspective and this generally just makes me miss the shit out of NY 💖

[@gordonwill6885]

Another fantastic Walkie. I always learn something new from these - and Melissa sure delivers.. thanks Paulie!

[@steqhanos826]

absolutely love what shes saying but also how she is saying it. so expressive, passionate and on point

[@dontbreaktheshadowofmylove]

the energy in these walkie talkies is at an all time high

[@chenmunn]

A picture speaks a thousand words. This was a lot of pictures (which were superb street photos), and I actually listened to every one of the million words here.

[@jeremydesalle5926]

Thanks Paulie for this another WT ! Great as usual but Melissa is amazing, she got the right words to talk about street ! Thanks for the work.

[@user-tx6zy1ck5d]

For me there is very few people who can photograph NYC streets and get good unique photographs. Melissa is definitely one! Love her work all around. The other big one for me is Michael Ernest Sweet. His work is totally out of the norm. His book The Human Fragment changed me as a photographer.

[@captureinsidethesound]

This is an example of wisdom vs education. Wisdom is the result of experience, disipline and learning from your mistakes before stretching the boundries. The majority want to play by the rules and stick with the books which is fair if you are a paid photographer on a time crunch but the result is typically copy-n-paste material.