20. Single Roll Walkabout: 48 Hours in Carmel

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to get away to Carmel (aka Carmel-by-the-sea) for 48 hours. Since this was a couple’s getaway and not a solo photo trip I saw it as the perfect chance to experiment with another "Single Roll Walkabout."

For the uninitiated, a Single Roll Walkabout involves limiting yourself to 36 photos and minimizing camera adjustments (aside from aperture and shutter speed). It's all about recapturing the deliberate pace of film photography, while still embracing the convenience of digital.

Over the two days, I snapped roughly 33 photos (a few are removed from the contact sheet above). I don’t consider any of these long-term keepers, but once again the exercise had me looking harder and thinking more before taking each shot. And while not great photos it was a fun way to make a more deliberate photo journal of the trip.

By the way, Carmel has a rich photographic history. Ansel Adams and Edward Weston both called the town home. And from that heritage, the city has great photo galleries including:

• Center for Photographic Art: “The Center for Photographic Art was founded in 1988 to carry on the traditions of the illustrious Friends of Photography created by Ansel Adams, Cole and Brett Weston, Wynn Bullock, Nancy Newhall, Beaumont Newhall and a group of like-minded photographers.”

• Photography West: They are a gallery “exclusively dedicated to darkroom craftsmanship. Every artist uses film or cameraless methods, and makes each unique original wet-process work individually by hand without any digital technology or third party assistance.”

• Weston Gallery: “Established in 1975, the Weston Gallery is one of the oldest photographic galleries in the world. Owned and operated by Matthew Weston (a grandson of Edward Weston) and his wife Davika “Davi” Weston” they “are a world leader in the field of fine vintage and contemporary photography representing over 80 photographers from around the world.”

  • Note: The website says it’s open by appointment but I was lucky enough to find it open. Davi told me whenever they are there, they open up. So, if you are in Carmel be sure to walk by.

If you have photographed Carmel or done a similar exercise, I’d love to hear about it.

Here is what I saw in Carmel:

I actually took this shot to see what file number I was on in order to later calculate how many pictures I had shot—but I ended up liking it. Happy accidents.

When I stopped to shoot this my wife said “I know exactly what you saw.” I guess my style and subject matter is starting to show through.

Thanks for reading. Warmly,
josh