Shifter:Let's Talk Field Guides

Someone reached out and asked me about field guides in particular. What are they? How are they deployed and how does one make such a publication? I was going to add to this my Q&A films but know many of you are interested in doing documentary work and utilizing these guides could be a project-changing addition. So, here is a film about field guides. Remember, there is no one way to doing things. We each operate differently, but when you are working with people, you have to lend them a hand to understand who you are and what you are after.

[@fairwayfrank]

I carry a couple of my small books (I don't care for the term 'zine' as it seems too trendy) in my camera bag & have used them for this exact purpose - answering the whattya doin' question. It works well.

[@parey555]

Never thought of this, my question would be how many pictures would you make if you made one for street photography? Currently i have business cards i give the people i take photos of with my email and name. But def think if i made one of these it would make things less suspicious. I’m a south Bronx shooter soooo street photography here is very suspicious.but show a magazine would ease doubts I’m sure.

[@CRJines]

Tourists have lots of money, but little time. Travelers have lots of time, but little money!

[@CRJines]

I'm from the midwest, and I moved to New Mexico 6 years ago, and it's everything I wanted. This is the outlaw state. I'm an outlaw, and I'm home!

[@Gonzster1]

Gosh darn Sir! You have got the hipsters crying! I love you man.

[@jasongold6751]

I was banned at Instagram! Really. What a joy! I never wanted all that tech crap. the goofy folks.Thanks Instagram! Bravo Daniel.

[@CRJines]

Tourists have lots of money, but little time. Travelers have lots of time, but not much money!

[@erikdendress]

I couldn't agree more. I do not like visiting the "tourist" spots when traveling. I went to Egypt and told my guide I didn't want to see the pyramids or any other popular tourist spots. I wanted to see where and how people live.

[@filipemarques78]

I almost thought this video was gonna be colorful....

[@NicholasNoeckerJr]

A one-man Salon. Unabashed defender of the stilted status quo. Flummoxed about social. Ridiculous doo... arrested development. Sweet though. And marvelous. Es verdad. About phones? Correctomundo muchachos. No phones. Nein, nein... nyet! (English, German, Russian... ha!) Best photography site with no photos. Bar none. I suspect. Tough love.

[@stephencharlton2024]

one of the best yet! you dont even need to be a photographer to avoid the "trends"

[@Spuny4]

You got me hooked in first 10 seconds, i hate tourism too 🤣 totally agree with the list anyone hands over with places you should visit 🤣

[@pablotenkara3057]

You got the guts to make it all explicit. My best fieldwork lessons I have learned them here. Working with indigenous communities in the chilean Andes is not an easy thing, and it can be tough at times, especially in the borders where no law governs. No bullshit: to survive, one needs to build trust. Thanks for so many good ideas, Milner.

[@davidarlincooper]

Great food for thought. Another excellent video.

[@rgssaurus930]

Extremely well put. Just watched the video mesmerised by the coincidence. I'm off tomorrow for a 4 day trip to Azores, and my wife already has 5 of those lists of spots to visit. And I was wishing that it would be a relaxing trip, no running around.

[@vproven]

You’ve outdone yourself, my friend. Spot on.

[@CaptainJimHammond]

I agree. I call tourists "pretenders." They go places, led around by the nose, doing the same things everyone else does, never leaving the comfort of a plan given to them by a tour guide or guidebook. They never go out, making random turns, where they might actually have an encounter with a native. They never experience the culture, food, or excitement of communicating in a language they don't know. Then, they go home and proclaim what great adventurers they are. Seems like a waste of life to me.

[@alimkassim]

Thanks…getting me thinking what I can do for my self my and art here in this suburbian coviad bubble I am in. Really like print and holding onto something vs swipe this way. Field guide is a nice way to share without being a novel. Gotta go watch your project video again…thanks señor

[@jackmatthews9390]

Dan! This is so helpful and inspiring. Funny the answers are right in front of us but it takes someone from another planet to show us. ;-) consider me a friend from Colorado.

[@profHankin]

Well, now I have to make a field guide for Omaha. Great idea and project.