STREET PORTRAITURE

I love people!

Cityside Diner Friend, Beverly, MA

I am fascinated by expressions, dress, postures, physicality, and color. For decades I have carried a camera, as I navigated throughout the streets of New York City, deep wilderness treks, museums, political marches, in parks, and abroad – such as to India. Sometimes I adopted Cornel Capa’s famous saying, “If the photo is no good get closer.” Context and juxtaposition are elements with which to play and experiment. And the point of view from whence I created my image is another major element of photographic vision.

My style was to politely approach the subject with my camera in clear site and gesture my desire to photograph them. Rarely was I turned away, as I believe people appreciated both the respect and having a witness of their being. Using the tools of camera imagery, I balanced color, light, and composition with subject.

With “street photography” being an established genre of later 20th century photography, I thoroughly studied those imagemakers during undergraduate and graduate school, starting with Walker Evans and Andre Kertez, continuing to Robert Frank, Ray Metzker, and on to Aaron Siskind and Garry Winogrand. I was very fortunate meet many of these masters as an Intern at Light gallery in New York City, the preeminent contemporary art gallery between 1971 through 1987.