Street Photography
I started out almost exclusively BNW street photography
Candid Street Portraits
When I'm on the street, I often attempt to interact with some of my subjects. I was influenced by the "Humans of New York". If you don't know, HONY, do so! When I do, I request a portrait of them. These interviews can be found in my Instagram feed. The images are featured in the slideshow below.
Some of my favorite street interviews
Kenny
"No one thought I would do it. But I walked to the bus station and bought an $8 ticket. Decided to start a new life." - Kenny. First member of his family to leave his small hometown in Florida for the promises of Nashville. The tattoo says "STRENGTH".
Haruki Murakami said that when he is faced with a decision between the "Known" and the "Unknown", he always chooses the "Unknown."
Haruki Murakami said that when he is faced with a decision between the "Known" and the "Unknown", he always chooses the "Unknown."
Thomasja
I spotted her and her friend through the crowded street festival. "Excuse me," I said. "I'm a street photographer from Nashville, and I would really love to get your picture." Her friend pushed her (hard) and they both started scream-laughing (is that a word?). I asked her several questions, but she could never compose herself. The life force that rushed through this girl blew me back a few steps on a couple of occasions. I have at least 5 portraits I could post of her. But this is the one. "LOVE"
- Thomasja. 13. Wants to be a model.
- Thomasja. 13. Wants to be a model.
Donnell
"Tell me about some act of kindness that you are most proud of."
"I put my daughter through school for Criminal Justice. Yeah. That's what I'm most proud of. All these sacrifices we make is so our kids can have a better life than we did."
- Donnell. 12th South. Nashville.
"I put my daughter through school for Criminal Justice. Yeah. That's what I'm most proud of. All these sacrifices we make is so our kids can have a better life than we did."
- Donnell. 12th South. Nashville.
Shawn
"Could you tell me something about yourself that maybe most people don't know?" I asked.
"Hmmm," he said. He paused for while. I wasn't sure if the question was too invasive. "Oh! I know . . . I have really small nipples."
- Shawn. His life goal is to live in all 13 coastal states in the US.
"Hmmm," he said. He paused for while. I wasn't sure if the question was too invasive. "Oh! I know . . . I have really small nipples."
- Shawn. His life goal is to live in all 13 coastal states in the US.
Iszy
"Can you tell me about something that's left on your bucket list?" I asked.
She drew on her cigarette. Eventually she exhaled, sucking the smoke through her nostrils.
"I want to own three cats." She paused. "Four would just be crazy."
- Iszy. Graphic designer. Wants to work for the Cartoon Network.
She drew on her cigarette. Eventually she exhaled, sucking the smoke through her nostrils.
"I want to own three cats." She paused. "Four would just be crazy."
- Iszy. Graphic designer. Wants to work for the Cartoon Network.
Ronald
"Can you tell me something about yourself that you are proud of?"
"I'm a pretty good drawer."
"You are? Do you sell them out here?"
"No. I mostly just make cartoons and put 'em in a book for a woman I got an arrangement with. But she's gone now."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know, really. Been about six weeks now. I think her son came and got her."
"You sound a little heartbroken, maybe?"
"If I do, it's cause all that furniture I done bought her left with her." He threw back his head and roared with laughter.
- Ronald. Missing Margie.
"I'm a pretty good drawer."
"You are? Do you sell them out here?"
"No. I mostly just make cartoons and put 'em in a book for a woman I got an arrangement with. But she's gone now."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know, really. Been about six weeks now. I think her son came and got her."
"You sound a little heartbroken, maybe?"
"If I do, it's cause all that furniture I done bought her left with her." He threw back his head and roared with laughter.
- Ronald. Missing Margie.
Mayor Deano
"Can you tell me something that you have done in your life for someone else that you are proud of?"
"Yes, sir. I helped 10 people get off the streets and find a permanent home."
- Mayor Deano. Himself off the streets for over a decade now. And giving back. (Oh, and owner of a baller hat!)
"Yes, sir. I helped 10 people get off the streets and find a permanent home."
- Mayor Deano. Himself off the streets for over a decade now. And giving back. (Oh, and owner of a baller hat!)
Eva (I think . . . read below)
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This woman fascinates me. I do not know her, but I call her Eva in my mind. She was the woman reading the book beneath the bike from yesterday's post. I do not know if she lives in a mansion, if she is schizophrenic or if she is a brilliant Parisian artist. Perhaps she is all of these things. Most of my street pics are either sniper-shots (such as these last two images) or HONY-style interview portraits. Since taking on street interviews, for the most part, they have all been extremely rewarding. True, a month ago I was almost attacked by a mentally challenged gentleman the size of an NFL lineman. But hey, I run marathons, so it worked out. It’s the price you pay to connect with fascinating strangers. I think I haven’t approached Eva for an interview yet because - with her - I have found sacred ground that I am not quite ready to give up yet. What I mean is this: There is a surprisingly enlightening place just beyond certainties. We tend to grab on to a belief and make it concrete. But I have found that when I let go of a deeply entrenched notion, I often find a completely new, refreshing idea that I had denied myself access to. Shooting on the street has reinforced this idea in me in a powerful way. You cannot be a good street photographer if you have already made up your mind about your subject. It will show in the image. You have to allow yourself permission to be surprised. For example, I have found that the person I thought was drug-addicted, turned out to be a burnt-out college professor. By accepting each moment as it unfolds, without judgment, you find access to a truer passageway into another person’s journey. And so I find myself in a sacred place with Eva because, for me, she exists beyond all certainties. I am sure that in time, I will inevitably feel the need to approach her. But I'm in no hurry. For now I am enjoying being the silent witness to her mystery.