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

[@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

[@miggs8]

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

[@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!

[@raemiranda1]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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? 😂

[@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.

[@ScuberUberFlow]

Her wisdom, grace, and emotional intelligence is magical.

[@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.

[@sehmuzb]

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

[@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 👍🏻

[@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!

[@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.

[@kennethlavalle1608]

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

[@ethan_exxplores]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@katecrabb1958]

What really stands out to me in her work, how tender and how loving it is. We could debate whether its because the photo is being taken by a woman and everything a woman experiences or whether its just Melissa's eye, it doesn't quite matter so much, the point is that her photos are almost soft, they offer a view of New York that isn't so "hard" so to speak. I love her work.

[@sebastianfernandez6146]

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

[@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

[@JespersenPhoto]

@X D compared to what?

[@vega35mm]

@X D Show us your pictures

[@trix-4656]

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

[@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.

[@ammyBS]

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

[@IlyaBlay]

"Frustration, joy, and ice cream" Beautifully said.

[@ZenoWatson]

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

[@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.

[@rf.photographs]

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

[@rakim7484]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@11XI]

Very inspirational talk and lessons of photography and life in general. What a woman!

[@monkeypawism]

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

[@fauzanazhima]

The best episode.. I'm getting old, and all she's saying resonates with me...a lot..

[@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.

[@nunodores]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@garrettmain3712]

I really appreciate that this is an older woman who looks like they have their shit together. She’s married, she has a career. She isn’t some greasy late 20-something toting some Leica M/x100v. She’s talking about her workshops, trips she’s taken, her work philosophy. It’s cool. I love her. “Hope is not going to build you a body of work.”

[@eddie_g]

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

[@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!

[@ancheno7167]

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

[@AnthonyKongSYD]

This is a very nice interview. She has so much confidence - I would never be able to shoot pictures of people so up close like her.

[@rkulla]

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

[@EgoDrivenFilms]

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

[@LunarCatOnAir]

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

[@MKRShoots]

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

[@TheMacSpeedy]

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.

[@JulianaBeasley1967]

I like that she talks about self-doubt despite her amazing work. I like that honesty and vulnerability and it's probably why she is capable of doing what she does so well.

[@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

[@pt4822]

Her technique is very different from mine. Very refreshing to learn something new from her. I think she has an advantage over male photographers trying to do the same things. Quickly snapping a few shots of female or children subjects usually gets me in trouble. But I love her technique and outlook.

[@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

[@EricMichaelMehl]

62 years young and still extremely new is absolutely awesome… she kills it !!!

[@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.

[@jonathanrobinson5002]

A great episode with a straight talking New Yorker. What a wise person she is.

[@stevehageman6785]

Love this series Paulie - Thanks for interviewing Melissa, it is great to get a woman's perspective!

[@SciTeF]

This is FANTASTIC! I have to watch again to let everything sink in! Thanks very much!

[@brooksilg]

What a great one! Many insightful thoughts Melissa shared here. “Shoot with the right brain, edit with the left” and observing Street Photographers generally as optimists are some ideas that I will most likely carry with me moving forward. Thank you!

[@babettesfeast6347]

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

[@KombatFlix]

so glad this channel is about photography and photographers of all different ages, ethnicities, genders and walks of life. Amazing work and interviews every video.

[@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

[@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.

[@SYLPHone]

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

[@Dudehomiemanbra]

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

[@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.

[@macleanandcheese]

Wow! Excellent interview, love Melissa's work and her insights! Well done and thanks!

[@martinlawrence8427]

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

[@walthornik]

walkie talkies are my absolute favorite thing on youtube! looking forward to every single one

[@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 🎉🎉🎉

[@LukeFranklin65]

What an amazing woman. Great job keeping the camera steady with the fast walking.

[@ZachNagy]

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

[@ommm8]

Love these walkie talkie films, they're fantastic - Melissa speaks so brilliantly 👍

[@J.ortegadesign]

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

[@IceBergs]

You've had a lot of people on these walkie talkies but you've never had a better speaker than this. Every line is just raw unfiltered aged facts and everyone needs to listen UP if this is your hobby too!

[@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!

[@GABRIEL_CRAFT]

Really appreciate getting to see different ages genders and backgrounds on this channel. Really happy to see another digital shooter as well.

[@abovemadness]

Her perspective is a breath of fresh air!

[@erikd1012]

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

[@henrybeckmeyer8393]

She’s one of the best, and another great episode.

[@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.

[@dontbreaktheshadowofmylove]

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

[@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

[@gruesometoucan2332]

"Did you just take my photo?" Yes, I did. You look incredible and I couldn't let the moment fade to time.

[@pony_boy]

Melissa has the best vibes, this video makes me so happy

[@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!

[@willw6126]

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

[@enkayk]

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

[@WillemVerb]

Best thing on KZbin

[@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.

[@kierrajohnson9244]

Wow this is the style I've been looking for. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@constantinelykiard1644]

Today is a day I learned a lot about why and how I do what I do when I roam the streets with a camera. thank you for putting it into words.

[@keelynoxleymitchell]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours, Paulie! I absolutely LOVE the various perspectives that I'm noticing the female photographers are bringing to the world of photography. Thank and Melissa for your work!

[@gilsonpsvita8446]

Wow I'm in love with her. Amazing chat, beautiful photos and she is all the best. Thanks a lot for this amazing video