Wandering by Stella Kalaw

Issue 48

The Wandering series is a project I began on my blog as a way to sharpen my eye for composition. I wanted to create a habit of paying attention to details in the environment while I walked to and from work. Eventually, I expanded the scope and included photographs taken during my travels.

Street photography, as Magnum photographer Alex Webb describes it, is 99% failure. I repeatedly missed many shots and languished for long stretches of time without anything significant. But, the frustration kept me going because I enjoy the process of sifting through and finding order within the complex canvas of everyday life.

Sometimes it's a gesture that I notice or a sudden shift of a scene to a geometrical synchronicity that triggers an interesting picture. On occasion, it's something humorous or peculiar. Other times, it's just a quiet moment with compelling light on a street corner. There is sheer joy in capturing the exact moment when all the elements within the camera frame align. It doesn't happen often but it is enough to keep going again.

You can purchase Stella's photograph Man on escalator. Market Street. San Francisco, CA. from Fraction Editions.

Stella Kalaw is a San Francisco Bay Area based artist.
To view more of Stella's work, please visit her website.

Tandang Sora Street. San Francisco, CA.
Tandang Sora Street. San Francisco, CA.
Cleaners. Binondo Church. Manila, Philippines.
Cleaners. Binondo Church. Manila, Philippines.
Boy Slips on the sand. Highway One. San Francisco, CA.
Boy Slips on the sand. Highway One. San Francisco, CA.
Camouflage boys. Queen Anne. Seattle, WA.
Camouflage boys. Queen Anne. Seattle, WA.
Wondercon convention. Moscone Center. San Francisco, CA.
Wondercon convention. Moscone Center. San Francisco, CA.
Roller Skaters. Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, CA
Roller Skaters. Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, CA
SF Giants Fans on top of a bus shelter. Market Street. San Francisco, CA
SF Giants Fans on top of a bus shelter. Market Street. San Francisco, CA
Boy playing with necklace. Embarcadero. San Francisco, CA.
Boy playing with necklace. Embarcadero. San Francisco, CA.
Girl enjoying the bungee trampoline. Pier 39. San Francisco, CA.
Girl enjoying the bungee trampoline. Pier 39. San Francisco, CA.
Motorcyclist leaving his parking spot. Jessie Street. San Francisco, CA
Motorcyclist leaving his parking spot. Jessie Street. San Francisco, CA
Summer performers backstage. Yerba Buena Gardens. San Francisco, CA.
Summer performers backstage. Yerba Buena Gardens. San Francisco, CA.
Runner resting during Bay to Breakers event. Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, CA.
Runner resting during Bay to Breakers event. Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, CA.
Enjoying the sun during their lunch break. Yerba Buena Gardens. San Francisco, CA.
Enjoying the sun during their lunch break. Yerba Buena Gardens. San Francisco, CA.
Tree shrubs geometry. Japantown. San Francisco, CA.
Tree shrubs geometry. Japantown. San Francisco, CA.
Backache. SF Giants celebration parade. San Francisco, CA.
Backache. SF Giants celebration parade. San Francisco, CA.
Coming this spring. Market Street. San Francisco, CA.
Coming this spring. Market Street. San Francisco, CA.
Man on escalator. Market Street. San Francisco, CA.
Man on escalator. Market Street. San Francisco, CA.
Convention attendees. Mission Street. San Francisco, CA.
Convention attendees. Mission Street. San Francisco, CA.
Woman taking her yellow jacket off. Yerba Buena Gardens.San Francisco, CA.
Woman taking her yellow jacket off. Yerba Buena Gardens.San Francisco, CA.
Woman looking at mannequin. Union Square. San Francisco, CA.
Woman looking at mannequin. Union Square. San Francisco, CA.