So, You Want To Be a Famous Photographer, Do You? Do You?

I have a lot of respect for all kinds of photographers. Anyone who is making a living creating photographs is beating the odds--it's quite difficult to do these days. I was recently thinking about what kinds of photographers are the best known? Who can you name that is a famous photographers? I'd bet if asked,...

Ages Like a Fine Wine…

I found this the most interesting and inspiring line I've heard in a long time. In that talk by Richard Sandler I wrote about where he discusses and shows his street photography, he said he used to regularly bump into Lee Friedlander, Garry Winogrand and Bruce Gilden all pounding the same pavement throughout New York....

What Has Happened to Street Photography?

I was thinking about influencers and how that's a word that never used to exist. In a world with social media, the goal of attracting large numbers of followers and becoming popular to become "Insta-famous," what have we done to art? Wasn't there always influence from major players like John Szarkowski at MoMA, and plenty...

Street Photography Awards Are Only For Weirdo Photographs

I've noticed what wins street photography contests: Weirdo photos. Oddball pictures. Have you seen this? The photos at the right are the 2018 winners in StreetFoto. To my eye, none of them look like the classics by Garry Winogrand or Henri Cartier-Bresson, who I'm betting are masters that these street photographers look up to. The...

Why Photo Contest Rejections Aren’t Necessarily a Bad Thing

How could that possibly be a good thing, having your work rejected, you ask.  Well, let me tell you about myself.  I've both won awards as a photojournalist and haven't won awards as a photographer. Why is that?  Timing.  Placement.  What the curators want. I have my brand of photography--documentary photography, photojournalistic storytelling, street life...

Why I Love Being a Photographer Living in Colorado

I live in Colorado, and while nature is pretty and mountains are beautiful, I'm not drawn to photographing trees, lakes and landscapes. I like people.  It's because I've been a photojournalist my whole life, and for me it's much more exciting to photograph a spirited interaction between a couple, a kiss, a funny face, a...

A New Year of Possibilities – 365 of Them!

01.01.2019 - All those ones!  Beginnings! It's a new year, 365 possibilities lie ahead.  What will we do with them?  What will we create? For me creation is the source, the inspiration, that gives me so much that is my reason for being.  I live to create photographs, stories, and even time spent with family...

My YouTube Channel is Back for Street Photography

Hey, street photographers.  I have a new series for you.  So get outside and get shooting!  But first, take a look at my videos--new episode every Saturday.  You are encouraged to participate, too! YouTube - Kenneth Wajda's Street Photography Channel

Nikon vs. Leica

I am both a Nikon and Leica shooter.  I shoot film and digital with both brands and the other day I sat down at my Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter--that's where I do my best thinking on paper--and I wrote out what each camera type is good for. For shooting street photography, Leica may be classic,...

The Love of Sharing Knowledge: Street Photography Workshop Recap

I really believe people at all levels should share everything they know with everyone.  Nothing is to be kept secret--there are no secrets when it comes to knowledge.  Teach everyone everything.  When we share what we know, we empower others while maintaining our place as a fearless professional. And you have to be fearless to...