Save For Later no. 16: Capturing Your Vision
How to start seeing the world through your own creative lens.
I’ve been interested in the world of photography for quite some time but was a consumer for most of my life. In college, I would spend time collecting computer desktop photos of fantasy beach destinations like Bora Bora, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Maldives to use as screensavers - just to see how beautiful different parts of the world are. Back then, I was more interested in the landscapes themselves and didn’t pay much attention to how the photos were shot and what made them so unique.
Fast forward to today - I recently scrolled back through the photo albums on my phone to get a sense of my photography style and noticed a dramatic shift in 2016, not only in how many photos I took but also in the difference in artistic vision that made certain shots more interesting. There has been an even bigger leap in the last year alone, where I can see my own style start to shine through and create more memorable photos.
The biggest piece of advice I've received about photography, whether through people I've talked to, books I've read, or YouTube videos I've watched, is to just get out and shoot. Spend hours just walking around the city, a coffee shop, or even your own home. Take as many photos as you can. Take photos of a subject from different angles. Take photos of the exact same setting, but at different times of day to see how the change in light accentuates certain details within the frame. The best way to practice is by doing. Find friends and/or family who are willing to be photographed. Offer to do your first 2-3 photoshoots for free to gain a certain level of understanding and workflow. It all takes time.
Then, take another few hours to study your style. Which photos worked from the photoshoot? What angles captured the most interesting visual elements? How do the subjects interact within the composition of each shot?
There is no right answer, to be honest. Art is subjective because it is an expression of your personal perspective. It can take months, years - a lifetime, really - to discover how you want to express something through your photography. You might even be attached to a certain style for a period before switching your focus and interest to something else. You're in control of what you want to say and how you want to say it.
This underscores the importance of taking stock of your life experiences and applying them to your own art. It doesn't necessarily have to be limited to photography. It could extend to writing, travel, music, videos, or any form of creative expression that enables you to channel your insights and perspectives into something distinctly yours. And be patient with yourself, because even the idea of deciding to refine your craft takes time. The journey itself is the rewarding part, so strive to make it exciting and cut yourself some slack along the way.
The Best Things I Ate Recently
Café China
Midtown - Manhattan, NY
A co-worker recommended this spot to me, and wow - this place delivered. I typically try to stay away from midtown, as I find that restaurants in the area are crowded and overpriced, but for this spot, I will make an exception. Here's a rundown of the best dishes we ordered:
Dan Dan Noodles
Shredded Pork
Green Beans
Duck Fried Rice
Every plate was full of flavor, and these might be some of the best green beans I’ve ever tasted. They were perfectly crunchy and blistery, a welcome addition to any dinner table. I think this is my favorite restaurant of February so far - please do make a reservation and get here.
++++
Reunion
Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
I’ve been meaning to get to Reunion for a long time, but there was either a bit of a wait to get in on a weekend morning, or we had a change of plans and couldn’t make it work. Luckily for us, we popped over to Williamsburg this past Sunday morning around 10:30 am and were able to get a seat right away.
The best thing to hit the table for our brunch was the Lah’maajun, which consisted of a lamb ragu with feta, tahini, and a sunny egg served over laffa bread. Incredibly flavorful and filling. The New Age Baba was a bit different from what we were expecting, as we thought it’d be more of a dip, but it was delicious nonetheless.
While the meal might’ve been a little overpriced, the food was honestly delicious. I will return.
++++
Border Town
Midtown - Manhattan, NY
I’ve written about the Border Town team before, but their tacos are just so damn good, it’s hard to keep them off this list for a second time. My absolute favorite is their Frijoles (Refried Pinto Beans) on one of the most authentic and delightful flour tortillas that I’ve ever crossed paths with.
I recently had the privilege of heading up to their Greenpoint pop-up location at The Screen Door to get my first NYC photoshoot in the books. It’s been great getting out of my comfort zone and starting to communicate with local businesses to schedule shoots - I plan to keep it up!
Jorge, Amanda, and Sam are such a delight, and it was super fun working with them. I have more photos to share soon and will absolutely be heading back up to their shop again this winter to grab a few more tacos. They’re getting so much well-deserved press right now, the latest being an article in The New Yorker, and I wish nothing but the best for them. Epic team. Epic tacos.
Movies & TV
(TV) Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
3 seasons
~ 50 Minute Episodes
What It’s About: “Slow Horses” on Apple TV+ is a gripping spy thriller that dives deep into the world of British intelligence with a twist. Instead of following the best and brightest agents, it centers on a team of rejects - the misfits and screw-ups relegated to a unit called “Slough House” due to their career-ending mistakes.
The show, which stars Gary Oldman as the head of the rejects unit, blends dark humor with tense drama to create a gripping series that always keeps you wanting more. Each episode unravels complex characters and intricate plots, making it a compelling watch for anyone who loves a good blend of suspense and character-driven stories.
Why I Like It: I. Love. This. Show. Outside of "Fargo" Season 5, this might be the best series on TV at the moment. The storytelling is so well done, weaving together multiple character plot threads that keep you guessing until the very end of each episode - typically leaving you on a cliffhanger that makes you want to click ahead and watch the next one immediately. After just a couple of episodes, you'll find yourself deeply invested in the fate of each character and trying to piece together what will happen next.
I don’t even think the trailer above does the show justice. You just need to get past an episode or two, and you will be HOOKED. I’ve recommended this show to about 10 people in the last week and can’t stop talking about it. Your marching orders for this Saturday are to spend the day outside, since it’s supposed to be 50°F, and then spend your night in on the couch and binge Season 1 of "Slow Horses." You are welcome.
A Recent TikTok That I Loved
I play The New York Times Connections game almost every day, and there are some clues that simply do not make sense to guess in a grouping. I felt this video to my core - and also died laughing because of the “National Treasure” movie reference.
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Final Thoughts
I’m finding that my weeks are getting busier and busier as the year moves on. Between work, this side project, and general life activities, January disappeared in the blink of an eye, and February is already starting to slip by. I love being busy, but I’m feeling like this is just on another level.
I need to work on managing my days better, which honestly usually means saying ‘no’ to dinners, plans, and activities I would usually commit to, in order to focus on getting my portfolio in a good place. I have a few exciting things coming up to share with you and am looking forward to putting them out there for all to see.
As always, if you have any recommendations or feedback to share, please feel free to reach out.
My email is saveforlaterrecs@substack.com or DM + follow us on Instagram & TikTok
See you next time ✌️
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