Valerie Topete sees herself as a witness to the everyday lives of the
millions of people who live in New York City. That’s a tall order, and
there’s no way she can accurately capture the sheer volume of life that
happens in New York every day—even in her own borough. Topete works as a
bicycle courier in New York, a job that allows her access to the public
outside that many other professionals don’t have. She hopes to start
selling her best photographs as a second career someday. Here are a few
tips to taking pictures in the city:
Be mindful of your surroundings. Many people don’t want their picture taken in public by a stranger. If you feel that you’re making the people around you with your camera, ask them if they would like to be in a photograph and make concessions as necessary.
Subjects and framing. Pay attention to how the eye will be attracted to different elements of your photograph. Valerie Topete loves to frame her subjects in creative ways, giving her viewers a chance to focus on her subject in a different way. Framing can also be used to create a space within a picture.
Shadow and light. Especially in black and white photography, which Valerie Topete is fond of, the interplay of shadows and light can create a beautiful and interesting conflict in a picture. Valerie Topete has played with different light settings on her camera and with different subjects in and out of shadow.
Valerie Topete works throughout the five boroughs but lives in Brooklyn with her family.
Be mindful of your surroundings. Many people don’t want their picture taken in public by a stranger. If you feel that you’re making the people around you with your camera, ask them if they would like to be in a photograph and make concessions as necessary.
Subjects and framing. Pay attention to how the eye will be attracted to different elements of your photograph. Valerie Topete loves to frame her subjects in creative ways, giving her viewers a chance to focus on her subject in a different way. Framing can also be used to create a space within a picture.
Shadow and light. Especially in black and white photography, which Valerie Topete is fond of, the interplay of shadows and light can create a beautiful and interesting conflict in a picture. Valerie Topete has played with different light settings on her camera and with different subjects in and out of shadow.
Valerie Topete works throughout the five boroughs but lives in Brooklyn with her family.
