What A Day!… World Photography Day 2026 in Brooklyn Part 2 (Digital): The Event.
Preface:
I do not concern myself with obnoxious folks. I find the best and brightest I have ever met are also the kindest. This weekend confirmed this.
Story Time.
Have posted videos about Jamel Shabazz.
Have had the good fortune of participating in a photo review call hosted by the Harvey B. Gantt Museum, featuring Jamel Shabazz, who encouraged me to continue working on my 100 Men In Black project.
Have bought his books.
I have exchanged texts with him and have been fortunate to receive signed works from Jamel.
All good so far. But I had not met him in person.
Then a while back, Jamel tagged me in a post about a World Photography Day event in Brooklyn. Told my always supportive wife, and she said, “Then you should go.” I sat with that, and hesitation kicked in. Me?
All the way to NY?
These are established photographers, not obsessive image takers in the middle of North Carolina.
I was in Harlem for my Aunt’s funeral earlier this year; another day trip?
Then Michael Young posted the flyer to FB Friday morning. I texted it to my wife, and she responded, “There is still time.”
Translation: “Get thy hindparts to NYC.”
Yes, ma’am.
With her encouragement, I got over myself, asked my son if he was game (he was), booked a hotel, wrapped up my workday, and we were out the door.
Preface sorted, here we go.
What a day! So glad my son and I made it. World Photography Day 2026, hosted by the Black Photographers Collective, Howard Cash, and Jamel Shabazz, held in Brooklyn Borough Hall.
This post is about the main event and pics taken as we prepared to head home.
The digital rig for the day.
The pics.
These will be a mix of portraits, candid pics, and attempts at reportage. Yes. With manual focus… and a razor-thin depth of field… while capturing images of people I hold in high regard and moving subjects? What? Me worry? Nah. . Truth be told, Fujifilm has my favorite non-rangefinder manual focus aid…
…that I have had plenty of practice with.
<ahem> Where was I?… Right. Pics.
One of the first people my son and I came across was Chris Gampat, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher/Founder at www.thephoblographer.com. A knowledgeable and friendly fellow.
And strikes a heck of a pose, thank you very much.
Also met Nishaun Mccall who has a Redemption Through Photography mentoring program.
Michael Young joined the chat.
Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Jamel Shabazz.
Dapper fellows milling about.
It was great to see Deborah again.
The Howard T. Cash receiving a proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
The proclamation recipient himself, Howard T. Cash.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 