Dear friends,

This week: a photo essay from Paris, shot mostly from moving vehicles. I love shooting from the passenger seat!

Before we get into that, I’m excited to announce that next week Process Workbook 4 will be released. In it, I lay out my entire personal process for reviewing the year: creative goals, other priorities, and everything in between. Plus how I set new goals for the coming year and track them to make sure I actually follow through.

My friend and designer Maxwell George is putting the finishing touches on it now. Below, a crop of the cover.

Paris in Motion

As you may remember, I was on crutches for a few weeks thanks to a tumble down the stairs during the taping of the upcoming fourth episode of the Paris video series. Because of said crutches, I was in a few vehicles in Paris to be able to get around. I remembered Joseph Rodriguez’ advice from years ago to try shooting from moving vehicles and here we are!

The first image in this series was made just as we pulled up to a red light near Pont Royale. I was in the front passenger seat, the sun was slipping toward the horizon, and a traffic light framed a set of old Parisian buildings like a theater curtain. I raised my camera and took the shot without thinking too much.

Something about the layering of windows, lights, and movement made the frame feel alive.

I shot everything in this issue on the Fujifilm XF10, on loan from the folks at MPB.com. It’s a very small, older camera from 2011, not as fast as newer models, which turned out to be a gift for this experiment. The occasional shutter delay let motion blur sneak into some frames, so I leaned into it. Blur became part of the story.

The next day, I made a photo through the side window of a taxi. Another car was parked beside us. The dark edge of its window acted like a vignette, forcing the viewer’s eye to the people walking and scootering past in the background. The window frame became the photo frame.

Most of these photos were made while riding in cars, but some were taken through bus windows, or while slowly crutch-walking to Paris Photo. I started to treat every pane of glass like a compositional opportunity. Spot metering helped here. I exposed for the outside light, so the interior reflections stayed dark.

As the sun began to set, everything took on a bluish tone. Because of all the movement, there was no time to think. Just frame, click, and let the city blur past.

I really enjoyed some of the images I got, little bits of life I would probably not have noticed if I wasn’t in this “hunting” moment while moving through the city. A guy adjusting an awning over a restaurant, massive advertising imagery way on the other side of the river Seine, people going about their lives. So many fun details. I highly recommend it as a fun experiment next time you’re on a bus or in the passenger seat.

My Inspiration

I already mentioned the legendary photographer Joseph Rodriguez and his advice before. Mr. Rodriguez spent a decade driving a cab in New York while documenting the city through his windows. His series Taxi: Journey Through My Windows 1977–1987 is a amazing project. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend checking it out.

From The Archive

After completing this issue, I thought I’d look through my archives using Excire, you already know I love this software and appreciate their support of Process. By using the keyword search with the term “through a car window” and this image came up from 2019, shot on an old iPhone while driving through the Chicagoland area.

Excire is software that uses AI to analyze and tag your photos, locally on your own computer. It doesn’t train on your work, it doesn’t upload anything, there is no subscription. It just makes it easy to search and manage your photos using keywords, and it has other features like smart culling and duplicate detection. I use the stand alone software, but there is also a Lightroom plug-in too. You can check it out here. Process readers get 15% off Excire with the coupon code “PROCESS” at checkout.

A 5-second favor: if Process has been useful to you, would you mind sharing it with a friend or two? There’s a button below that makes it easy. It’s the best way to help keep this thing going, and I’d really appreciate it. Thank you. <3

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Talk soon,
Wesley

A Few Ways To Support This Work

If Process adds something to your week, here’s how you can help keep it going: grab a copy of my photo books or the Process Workbook series from my webshop.

Everyone who orders something physical this week gets a free copy of the very limited edition Creatives In/AMS preview zine.

Process Photo Club members get €30 off my book NOTICE, all three Process Workbooks free, and more. Not a member yet? Join here for instant access.

This Week’s Camera + Tools

Camera: Fujifilm XF10

Process is supported by MPB.com, my personal go-to for buying, selling, or trading used gear. Everything comes with a 12-month warranty.

Lab: My film is processed by Carmencita Film Lab. They’re the best and put so much love and care into their work. Use code "PROCESS" for a free upgrade.

🗃️ Browse the Process Archive.