NOVEMBER 2024: LYNN FRASER & JACQUIE MATECHUK
PHOTOGRAPH: CONNECTION
THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
This is a first for the monthly assignments, in that we’ve not to date had two photographers setting the same word - but this month we do, and I’m delighted that their personal examples below show a deep connection with their subjects. You interpretation may not necessarily be a connection with or to a subject; it could be an object or similar inanimate item.
From Lynn Fraser: “This word crops up frequently when discussing photography. My thoughts for the assignment are that you could show a relationship between people or an object, perhaps a spark between yourself as the photographer and the subject. For me, as an example, a connection came from photographing one of the girls of the Arbore tribe in Ethiopia. She stared right down the lens of my camera, right into my soul, which I felt was a really strong connection formed between the two of us during that portrait.”
From Jacqui Matechuk: “For me, connection comes from my subjects, though for me to gain connection, I need to be invested in them and to understand them. I need to respect them, and I need to know them. This is an assignment I will be excited to see as a visual response to the question of what has made you feel connected. That could be a connection to your subject, a connection to the moment, perhaps an experience, but something that has stirred your soul and made you feel something deeply, and if you can turn that into a moment, a frozen frame, you’re going to have an immense feeling of accomplishment.”
HOW TO ENTER. IMPORTANT NOTES ON FILE SIZE AND ENTRIES
Send your entries to stories@photowalk.show. Your picture should be 2,500 pixels wide, if possible, for online optimisation. Or send the full-resolution photo, which we will optimise. Feel free to provide text if you think it will help explain the location, context, etc.
Entries are shown below. Good luck!
Neale
JACQUIE MATECHUK
‘The Watchman’ by Jacquie Matechuk, a perfect example of connection, the theme of November’s assignment.
LYNN FRASER
The Arbore photograph made by Lynn, where the eyes connected with the photographer’s soul.
MARK CHRISTENSEN - FLASK WINNER FOR NOVEMBER
Once again, right when you said the word for this month's assignment, I knew exactly which image to submit. I made this photograph of my hand in my brother’s in the hospital the day before he passed away. My brother passed away this past July 13th after a four-year battle with cancer. He was a rock in our family and served our country in the Coast Guard for 36 years. He was always strong, giving exceedingly, and fair. He was rarely sick and, to my knowledge, never broke a bone in his body. The skin on his arms and hands bore witness to years of exposure to the sun on the decks of boats worldwide. In contrast to him, I’ve lived a life often sick, have had asthma since I was a young boy and had scars from many surgeries and broken bones. You can even see a scar on my wrist from a surgery I had in May, putting a plate on my broken radius. This, to me, was a final connection to my big brother. My hero. I will always miss him.
STEPHANIE TAYLOR
Hello brilliant podcast people, sending you my image from the Great Central Valley of California. The is a family owned rice processing plant, connection abundant yields of rice directly from the fields to an immense processing plant. Here the rice is cleaned and dumped into giant driers where the fragrance of roasting kernels fills the air, then stored, bagged and sent to markets. This family is remarkable for their care for the aesthetics of their facility. Thus the plant itself is connected to its environment with the Sierra Nevada mountains to the east.
These connections: from California fields to consumers across the globe.
PATRICK SCHOENMAKERS
Here is my submission for the November assignment. I have made this photograph while I was on a short outing in the northern part of Germany last summer, when I also spent one day on Helgoland. During the mating season one can observe a big colony of gannets on this tiny island. It’s really lovely to see how they interact with each other. Definitely recommended for all bird and nature lovers.
MORRIS HAGGERTY
We talk about building or burning bridges when we are making or cutting off a connection with other people - because that's what bridges do, they connect two places and overcome the obstacles that lay between. In this picture I see the intertwining connections of bridges, humans and places.
See more of Morris’ work on Instagram.
DAVID WRIGHT
The photo taken on an assignment with the medical charity Partners For World Health, we visited a coastal village in Senegal to provide a clinic for the local community. This image was captured as people gathered to visit with the doctors and nurses. There was a wonderful connection with the community, who welcomed us with open hearts and allowed me to capture many photographs during the visit. The aim was to help build awareness of the challenges this village faces and help raise funds for the charity to return for regular visits. This moment captured a wonderful connection with this young woman, as well as the connection between these sisters. It was a gift to be welcomed into this community for the weeks we were there, and I hope to return soon.
See more of David’s expedition photos on Pic-Time, and his Instagram.
PETER TURNBULL
Surfers have a special connection with the ocean even when there are no waves. The simple act of paddling out and sitting on their board releases all tension and stress. Wano is a young Korean hairdresser who surfs every morning, regardless of conditions. I captured this picture of her as she soaked in the early morning sun recently. From May to October we have whales swimming past daily less than 50 metres away and regularly have dolphins playing in the waves beside us. It is just a magic place to be and I feel privileged to be able to share it with them.
See more of Peter’s work on Instagram.
VIRGINIA GORDON
To me this picture speaks of the human search for a connection beyond ourselves. I was drawn into this moment as well by the light falling onto the woman in prayer and then the images beyond her.
I went into the church of St Dominic late one afternoon while on a trip to Lisbon earlier this month. The next morning, I went back again. The exterior is not particularly remarkable, but the interior and the atmosphere are very striking. Founded in 1241, the church has come through a number of disasters - the earthquake of 1755 that devastated much of central Lisbon and then a fire in 1959 which brought down the roof. The blackened and damaged columns were left when the church was rebuilt as a reminder of its history and a symbol of perseverance.
REED GIDEZ
As a street photographer, you aim to be “invisible” so as to catch the most candid moment possible. Here, I noticed a girl on a bus in Madrid, looking towards her mother who was seated in front of me. Just as I pressed the shutter, her eyes moved ever so slightly and made contact with mine - and the camera. What I thought was going to be an interesting photo was made even more so by our brief connection.
See more of Reed’s work on his website.
MARK MACKAY
A good night of making photographs.
See more of Mark’s work on Instagram.
DAN LANGER
On November 11th I went to the cenotaph here in Lindsay, Ontario, for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. At the end of the ceremonies as people were milling about and some were placing their poppies on the cenotaph I captured this moment below where the 92 years young veteran of Korea was greeted by his great granddaughter.
Terry Wickens was British born but emigrated to Canada with his family when he was 6 years old. He served with the Canadian Army for 2 years in Korea. The bond, or connection, between the two is obvious. Given the solemnity of the day I am particularly pleased that I managed to get the shot with the cenotaph in the background with the visible inscription of “Lest We Forget”.
KIM COFIELD
I have loved black background portraits ever since I discovered them as a teenager. There is something about the drama of them that fascinates me. During the past month or so I have finally taken the time to begin to learn how to make these photos. Every other week I have been getting out the camera and my basic studio light setup and practicing. I think this style of portraiture is a dramatic way to showcase dogs. So of course I’m practising with Theo and Claire. Theo takes the job very seriously, so much so that sometimes it feels like he is staring into my soul. I think this photo captures the connection between us perfectly.
See more of Kim’s work on Instagram.
JEAN-JACQUES MOURIS
This image represents two clowns of “Ile aux clowns” (‘Island of the Clowns’) with a 102-year-old lady. “Ile aux clowns” is a non-for-profit organisation visiting mainly sick children in hospitals or aged people in homes for the elderly. They bring some light to the often sad, demanding, or painful days these people spend in their respective locations. Depending on the momentary mood or situation of the visited people, they need to adapt within seconds to each individual situation encountered, which may vary from children with severe illnesses, undergoing chemotherapy or operations to people affected with dementia or otherwise facing the last moments of their lives.
See Jean-Jacques’ Instagram for more.
CHARLES NAGY
Here is my submission for November's assignment. Cye is my co-worker where I teach photography and she is the art teacher. She is also a DJ and singer. We had the usual co-work friendship. One day we were talking before classes started and I suggested that maybe we do some promo type shots at my friend's record shop in Detroit. We met up and did the shoot. We really connected on a personal level and both agreed after sharing the shots that we moved past the work friendship and were in fact actual friends. There were so many possible photos to submit from this shoot but I ultimately decided on this one. I'll spare you the need to hide behind the sofa, but I'm still loving the podcast(s).
See more of Chuck’s work on his Instagram.
GRAHAM BARTLEET
I have recently returned from a three-week Intrepid Tour of Rajasthan, India. This photo was taken partway through the trip at Jaisalmer, a picturesque Fort city where we spent three days. On our last morning, we were waiting for transport to take us to the next location. It was taking a while, so I took the opportunity to take my camera for a quick last walk - mindful that I would most likely never be back again. I happened on this older man and his young grandson, Shiva in the fort village. We had a halting conversation about my trip and his care of Shiva while his parents were at work. After some time, I asked if I could take their photo, and as you can see, Shiva is fascinated by the camera.
For me India was a fantastic experience, confronting at times and also challenging. It was moments like these, when there was a genuine connection, that were the most memorable.
I am from New Zealand and have been listening to your show for the past six months or so. Very much enjoying it - however am usually mowing the lawn rather than photo walking when listening to it! Am halfway through the most recent episode featuring Sean Tucker and finding this very relevant!
See more of Graham’s work on his Instagram.
PAUL FRIDAY
The woman is holding out a mirror and the wee ape is curious.
JON DORSETT
Rugby players generally don’t notice people in the crowd, until they do. This guy scored a great individual try and made a beeline for my camera.
JOHN GRINDLE
Here is a photograph of my Granddaughter during one of our many visits to the Nothe Fort. She is up in the lookout listening to old voices recounting their time during the war in Weymouth. She was there for a good ten minutes, just looking at the boats and connecting with the past.
See more of John’s work on Instagram.
DAVID HIGTON
This image was made at the Cheshire County Show a few months ago. This is a vast show and the image shows what I assume are two young farmers who had been up since the since the crack of dawn preparing their animals for the show, as well as the numerous other tasks a farmer has to attend to. For many of the farmers, this might be their one day off work in the summer, well perhaps not a full day off if they have livestock to attend to. The judging of sheep was in progress however I like the connection between the couple as they share a moment of togetherness and peace.
AMANDA WOOD
Paying to let your kids ride a sheep in “Mutton Busting” seems to be a right of passage at the Deschutes County Fair in Oregon. It’s hilarious to watch. It’s open for 4-8 year olds weighing no more than 25kgs and they can elect to have a wrangler run alongside like a pair of training wheels on a new bike. Still, most of them spill within about 5 seconds. If there are tears they’re comforted by the compere before being returned to parents who paid good entry money!
This young fellow, despite continuously slipping around the belly of the ewe, made it to the end of the arena still firmly connected!
COLIN MAYER
My job involves lots of travel. Yes my seat is always to the right as you board the plane!
Much time spent waiting on delayed flights, connecting flights, and watching people's reactions to the loud speaker announcements...."Qantas regrets to inform passengers of a delay to flight...."
Listening to the podcast to pass time, I thought I'd enter a picture for this month's "connections” theme. So here's a picture of one of those fellow frustrated passengers, passing time, wondering what to do whilst waiting for a delayed flight.
Like me, she may have thought the service to be garbage.
EWAN McNEILL
I've been trying to develop more of a connection with the local woods that are a few minutes walk from my house. I haven't made the time for much photography in the last 18 months and on reflection that has probably been a bit about perfectionism. Not that anything is ever completely perfect, but that my preferred method usually involves a tripod with geared head and that tends to be a rather slow process.
I have an X100 which I am starting to use more for landscape and close-up work. Although not as precise, as I would ideally like. It still gives me a similar mindful experience of connection while out taking photos which, I am starting to realise, is most of what I enjoy about photography, not just the finished product.
For the photo I am submitting, I was standing back in the woods trying to get a picture of a starburst coming through the trees with a view towards the park when a few people walked into my frame on the way to school and I caught a moment of exhaled breath as 2 of the children turned to look at each other. Completely unintentional, but fortuitous.
So my photograph portrays a connection, but also represents a connection I'm trying to kindle by regularly re-visiting my local woods for brief photo walks.
MARILYN DAVIES
Street photography often provides a moment of connection when in a scene you're photographing, someone spots the camera and immediately there is a connection. This was a scene after a wedding at Woody Point, Queensland where one of the people being photographed spotted me and my camera.
VICTORIA ROBB
I've been doing the RPS developing landscape projects course with Elizabeth Woodger (drawn to because of her geology background: https://elizabethwoodger.com/about/)
This has developed into photographing details of sculptures in London - there are quite a few Henry Moore's, one right in the middle of the Brandon housing estate in Southwark. Pairing them each with a rock detail photo I've taken over the past few years, I've now got a set of 10 or so pairings.
The one attached spoke to me of the assignment theme of 'connection'. Both in the faces I see in them, looking out at me and looking at each other. Also in how my project has developed - that the material sculpture is formed from is from Earth's own elements, as are rocks. In pairing them showing that connection across nature's natural sculptures in rocks and in our human sculpted art.
JOHN KENNY
These one word assignments have been a real challenge, thank you!
I recently took my mum to visit her sister who lives near to where they both grew up. One of her cousins has been doing some research into the family history, which led us to visit this churchyard.
I took this image while my mum was examining some of the memorials in order to document the visit. When thinking about the challenge this month I realized that the photograph represents a frozen moment in time that will always connect me to a point in the past no matter when I look at it. My memory may be hazy but I will always have this image that provides a conduit. Not quite as good as time travel, but as close as I am likely to get! It struck me that the headstones offer a very similar comfort to a photograph. They allow those who visit to maintain a physical connection to the past and those who have gone before us. It is not how I would have thought of it before taking photographs so the camera has helped me to understand another piece of life I suppose.
See more of John’s work on his website.
SCOTT GLASGOW
This is my first time submitting for the assignment, but I thought this hit the brief, taken in Glasgow on 16th November. The assignment 'connection' is associated with all those in the frame, family connection, physical and emotional connection. However, there is also a strong connection between the beauty of photography and being on the shoulders of our parents. It gives children a different perspective of the world; shooting low reverses that perspective for a fraction of a second, giving us a glimpse into the view of a child surrounded by giants.
See more of Scott’s work on his website.
SHIRAZ CHANAWALA
For the past 13 years, I've lived with diabetes. This year, my father sadly passed away due to diabetes-related complications. The final year of his life was difficult, as he spent much of it hospitalised, battling various infections.
Determined to avoid a similar fate, I began a weekly walking routine. Each weekend, I walk over 30,000 steps from Borough Market to East Finchley, meeting my mother for coffee at Cafe Nero. During these walks, I carry my Leica Q3, finding great joy in the therapeutic process of photography.
While I don't consider myself a skilled photographer, I'm particularly fond of this photo I've attached. It captures a young boy in a striking green raincoat, his gaze meeting mine. I believe this image aligns perfectly with this week's assignment theme of 'connection,' as the boy's eyes engage directly with my camera lens. I hope you appreciate the photograph.
See more of Shiraz’s work on Instagram.
JEFF SMERALDO
Sending in my entry for November. Listening to Jackie Matechuck and looking at her work in action and sports, I was relating to that as I have spent a lot of time shooting sports activities. I am sending in another shot from the 2024 Winter Guard International finals that I shot this year. This photo shows the connection these performers have to have with one another to perform at the World Class level and to trust in one another to make the correct moves to ensure nothing goes wrong. This photo is of the Winter Guard Line Onyx from Dayton Ohio. The table the two performers are holding also have carefully arranged wooden rifles on top that they cannot let fall that will be used during another part of the performance. As mentioned in an earlier assignment, this is the biggest sport most have never heard of and is also quite popular in the UK (one of my daughters actually performed with a UK line once).
See more of Jeff’s work on Instagram.
MARTIN PENDRY
I've reached that age where I look back and think, "Ah, youth! The days when I thought I was indestructible."
Now, health has become something I don't take for granted, especially given that I have to roll up my sleeves for at least one blood test a week. Some weeks, it's even two or three, which is quite a thrill for someone who still cringes at the sight of a needle thanks to a childhood trauma involving an overly disastrous dental injection.
So there I was, sitting in the blood room at my local hospital, waiting my turn, listening to a podcast on this month's photography assignment theme: Connections. And as I looked around, it hit me. This blood room represents a universal connection. Blood tests are one of those inevitable threads that link us all, from kids to seniors, from the sick to the well. It's a place we all end up, like it or not, in our shared journey to monitor, maintain, or discover our health.
In a sense, the blood room is not exactly a place that screams "inspiration" at first glance. It's a simple, sterile space, often a bit too chilly, and filled with the gentle hum of nerves and waiting. And of course, these sorts of rooms always have the classic tacky notices taped to the walls, inevitably a little dog-eared. You know the ones, probably printed out in Comic Sans. But it's also a quiet witness to countless health journeys. In capturing this room, I wanted to highlight that this uninspiring space is a significant connector, bringing us together on our paths toward health and healing.
See more of Martin’s work on his Instagram.
ROBIN CHUN
Please consider my image 'Can We Play Now Nanny' for inclusion in the Connection assignment. I know the image is not technically perfect - missed focus and the exposure could be better - but I think it meets the brief nicely.
See more of Robin’s work on his website.
ANNE GRIEVES
MARK MACKAY
I was in Sydney last week (I live in Adelaide) and visited a local market at Glebe. The trader in the photo is well and truly connected to the phone apparently obvlious to what’s happening around them.
