walters smith photographer/director

very snowy…very late…very slow

waltersmithphoto — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:40:08 +0000

Walter Smith on how to embarrass your kids on the school bus

waltersmithphoto — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:27:34 +0000

ho ho ho

Testing out a new rig for M O T I O N. Just a test…only a test.

waltersmithphoto — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:49:45 +0000

Some simple camera/rig test from last week of my assistant Kurt. Nothing special but we’re gearing up for a video/still shoot next week and I was a kid in a candy store wanting this new piece of gear.

Guilty Guilty Guilty

waltersmithphoto — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:57:43 +0000

Its true. Work and family have taken me away from updating. Im guilty. In the time away I’ve traveled to Atlanta for Coca-Cola, all over NYS for Phillips Lytle and out to Seattle for Starbucks. My wife and 2 of my kids traveled to Ethiopia for 10 days while I stayed behind with my children. I spent the better part of that time gutting the kitchen and editing personal work. Terrible to offer up lame excuses. I’ve neglected my blog. I’m sorry. Here I am … shoot me please.

September 11 footage and stills. A very heavy heart.

waltersmithphoto — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:09:44 +0000

Kenyan Runners in BW

waltersmithphoto — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:06:09 +0000

I’m fortunate to know some great folks. My friend represents a group of runners who often stay with him in Nyack. I run … not like these guys but I can make my way through a half marathon and finish without looking like a fool. These gentlemen from Kenyan are just beautiful to watch. We spent a morning shooting on the Rockefeller Estate in Westchester County. The time went quick and my first assistant, Otis , just couldn’t resist shooting some video and poking fun at his father running alongside these gifted athletes. Why process in BW? Who isn’t tired of the oversaturated/undersaturated brightly lit subjects in unnatural environments? Give me real life …. real colors …real BW … For me photography is an art not a trick.

Nathan

waltersmithphoto — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:48:52 +0000

Nathan Bowden, my friend.

Its late. 12:29am. Another evening in a long line of evenings prepping for another day. Tonight its different. I’m thinking of my friend…my original brother among friends. Nathan Bowden. He passed away about 5 years ago. I’ve tried to write something about his life and what he meant to me. It can’t be summed up in a few words on a blog read by many. He was a beautiful thoughtful person … he had a very difficult life. We spoke at least 4 times pr week…he would listen when his health was failing without letting on. His faith was strong … waiting on a miracle that never came. Nathan died of Lupus. I was with him in the hospital many times over the last few weeks of his life. I was fortunate that I had a chance to speak with him when he was coherent…. I let on that this wasn’t too much for me and I would do what I could … I would be ok as he would. I let him know that he was great friend and I loved him. I’m thinking of him tonight…. his birthday was in July.

NYC street shooting. What I love…why I love…

waltersmithphoto — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:04:42 +0000

I’ve been lucky to have photographed in some amazing places around the world. Clients have trusted me and I love the chance to deliver on that trust. I take my experience shooting in NYC with me everywhere I go. What do I love about street shooting in NYC? Well…

The light / hot sun / chaos / the chance to listen in / suspicious stares / teenagers / simplicity / instinct / stories / secrets / strangers / that exact moment when a street corner becomes a movie set …all these things and many more. I take my street skills into projects and use them on every job. Sometimes its as simple as me and a bag of gear… other times its 10 lights and lots of production. Either way, Im a street shooter and its working.

Have a look…some snaps from NYC / Herald Square area last week.

World Cup /Johannesburg / South Africa / Soccer

waltersmithphoto — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:48:04 +0000

I was fortunate enough to have a client that sent me to South Africa to shoot in 2006 and again in 2008. Cape Town was great but Johannesburg held more for me both emotionally and visually. Our first trip included 4 armed guards and 24/7 supervision. It felt so strange from the onset. Who were we? What were we? It became clear quite quickly why we had them. Honestly, we were a spectacle. We also were followed everyone we went. Restaurants … bathrooms no place was off limits. Our second trip was much different. No guards needed. Johannesburg was preparing for the World Cup and you could feel it in the air. We were welcomed with open arms and the “tension” we felt on our first trip was gone. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of South Africa and the affect it has in my work and in my life. I’ve included some photographs from both trips in no particular order. Joy and sadness.

Tulips and Pansies and all things flowery.

waltersmithphoto — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:11:31 +0000

Well…I get involved with some interesting projects and this is right up there. A giant fundraising event for Village Care NYC. Designers create these giant dress/head pieces out of flowers and rock it out one night a year. Lots of money raised and I get the chance to mingle and shoot for a good cause. Its a fun crazy event and I’m quite happy to be part of it. Some snaps from the night.