StreetPX - A Photography Podcast: Recent Episodes
RE Casper and Jim Watkins
StreetPX is a street photography podcast. Hosted by two Bay area photographers, RE Casper and Jim Watkins. Focusing on the why, how, what, where and who of urban life photography. We aim to sit down with fellow street photographers and let them share their stories, why they chose this genre, what inspires them and who they are as artists.
We are still HERE!!! But taking a much needed break from the show. However, even on hiatus, we had to sit down with Ken Walton and get the low-down on this years Streetfoto San Francisco International Street Photography Festival (long name, awesome event)
We even go down the rabbit hole a bit in how the festival came together and the evolution it's taken over the last four years. Tune in today to learn more.
Show Notes and Event Highlights Film Screening for "Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable” by Sasha Waters Fryer. A first for any street photography festival in the world. Even a potential Q&A with Sasha before it ends.
Everything is Free!
When is the Festival June 3, 2019 - June 9, 2019
Where in San Francisco is this going down? * Harvey Milk Photo Center * SF Photoworks * SF Cameraworks * Peak Design Flagship Store * Leica Store * Gestalt Gallery * Book & Job Gallery and more
Satellite Exhibits/Lectures * Excelsior District: The Last True SF Working Class Neighborhood - Travis Jensen / Rasta Dave * BrownWater Project - Documentary Teaser by RE Casper * Women in Street - Members Diptych's Exhibit * SFCPC Members Exhibit at Book & Job Gallery * Partnered Exhibit with Jack Simpson / Ester Rayes * Cage Match with Richard Kalvar, Matt Stuart, Roza Wolf, Chris Suspect
Featured Lecturers - Roza Wolf, Matt Stuart
Key Note Speaker: Richard Kalvar
For more information and a schedule of events, please be sure to visit...
www.StreetfotoSF.org
FAITH is an engaging visual story about the often underrepresented gay African American community, their lives, their faith and their response to discrimination, both racial and religious.
We enjoyed our talk with Chris Suspect, so much the last time, we simply had to get him back in here to discuss the stories behind the imagery in his upcoming book, FAITH.
In Washington D.C., Chris Suspect, like most days, stumbles upon interesting scenes and characters. These subjects often become (usually) unaware subjects for his camera. However, one of these chance moments lead to something much greater than a singular photograph in the street.
While witnessing a young man (Bilal) get his foot ran over, Chris felt his instincts kick in and began documenting the his reaction to the pain and situation, which lead to Bilal climbing up and taking a seat on the hood of the car to await the authorities.
Chris gave his photos to him as evidence, but this introduction evolved into real work. With Chris capturing events that most would call, bizarre, such as the first event he agreed to, an Underwear Party in Dupont Circle.
Soon after undertaking the project, he found many doors began to open and a proper story unfolding. These new acquaintances offered him (and his lens) a glimpsed into a world few will see, and even fewer will understand. From parties to prayer, Chris spent a year documenting these men and the lives they lead, including The Community Church in Washington, D.C., lead by Reverend Aaron Wade Jones.
It was also during this time, that he took notice of a unique form of discrimination happening, even within the LGBT community... and he speaks in great length to this in our conversation.
I saw it first hand. I used to go to some night clubs with these guys and there’d be instances where some of them wouldn’t be allowed in, because of some kind of bogus dress code… or, we’d be at the bar and I’d order a drink and they’d order a drink and they would be charged more than I was….
Chris Suspect, speaking on discrimination, even within the LGBT community
We also breakdown his process in getting the project from camera to print... Finding the publisher, editing the imagery, hoops to be jumped through and the moments he tried to best avoid selling his soul to bring to the world such a powerful story.
“While this is a documentary book… It is all shot from the perspective of a street photographer”
Chris Suspect speaking on the influence of street photography in creating, FAITH
Tune in and if you want to reserve a of FAITH today, following the following link to pre-order.
Pre-Order Here Live Talk by Chris Suspect Chris will also be featuring FAITH, during his talk at Miami Street Photography Festival on Thursday (Dec 7th @ 11:30am) - History of Miami Museum
Show Notes * Chris Suspect Visual Journal * Instagram Profile * IMPULSE GROUP * RAINBOW/PUSH * The Community Church Washington, D.C. * Fotoevidence * Michelle Frankfurter * Destino - Photo Book * 46750 Joao PinaRegina Comfort - Photo Editor for FAITH, and... * Richard Sandler - Eyes of the City * Folsom Street Fair * Mid-Atlantic Leather Festival - D.C.
Opening Plugs * Brassai Exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - Runs until on February 18th, 2019 * Vivian Maier - The Color Work at the Howard Greenberg Museum in NYC — Closes January 5th, 2019
Entering the StreetPX studio today is Bay Area documentary photographer, street photographer and college professor, Dan Fenstermacher.
Early on, Dan chose to pursue a degree at San Jose State and studied in the very same darkroom as his stepfather... continuing the family tradition of photography.
A trip to Ghana on an advertising internship for 8 weeks, set him on a path of travel and expansion of creativity. During which time, he starred in a local television commercial, assisted the head of the advertising agency with location scouting, head shots and even hit the streets with his pocket camera capturing as much of the local life as possible. Thus, solidifying his interest in visual expression.
Living in LA from 2008-2010 and going through multiple jobs in the advertising world, he became jaded on the advertising world and finally found himself by going to school at night at El Camino College, pursuing photography.
I went through a lot of different jobs in the advertising world... But it was not as romantic as I envisioned. Like, I envisioned, 'I'm gonna get into advertising and make these really funny Doritos commercials for the Super Bowl'. Its gonna be creative and fun.... It was not that way... It was filing paperwork and getting copy and delivering mail...
Dan Fenstermacher speaking on his initial experience with pursing an advertising career.
A leap of faith soon set him on a path to teaching and we dive deep into his story of teaching in China. Inspired by his roommate who moved to Seoul, South Korea to teach English and after hearing all the stories of his new life, Dan got decided to do the same.
Finding a website matching teachers with schools in the area, he signed up. Quickly, he got a message from the Xiangfan University in China, which lead to a unique adventure in teaching fine arts and photography to kids and young adults in China.
I had some really sweet students. After each class, they would give me, almost like a gallery, when you have a guest book... they would give me this guest book with a note from all of them and they would bring in a bunch of snacks for all us teachers. They were really sweet kids.
Dan Fenstermacher speaking on how receptive and excited the students were during the classes.
Documented Rick-Shaw drivers in India over the summer, assisted by Whitney Hammel, who he went to undergrad school with and she got him set up.
Further travel included Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Angkor Wat.... as well as his travels through Puerto Rico following the destruction of Hurricane Maria, where he traveled with past guest, Harvey Castro. From there they documented the strife of the local people as well as community centers where stacks of water is left to rot. A body of work that went viral, leading to great donations and assistance from caring people around the area and abroad. who was in dire straights following the disaster.
From his travel stories, we pivot to a topic of great inspiration and one very deeply personal to Dan, which was his project on living and dealing with OCD. Or really any challenging mental health issue such as depression and anxiety. Through this project, he aims to help unlink the stigma and misunderstandings associated with mental health and the issues that one out of every five people in the world deal with every day.
I had a professor tell me just focus on something you care about and that's what I tell my students now, just focus on something that means something to you passionate about.
So, I focused on mental health, because I have OCD myself, so it was very particular to me and something that was part of my life and part of my family's life. Also something that is very misunderstood in media and stigmatized.
Dan Fenstermacher speaking about his project and how he uses this to inspire others.
Putting out calls through Craigslist, Facebook and word of mouth. People would contact him and together they would collaborate on how to show their story. Showing triumph, or the serious struggle with whatever they are going through.
Through this project, he received a great deal of feedback and many of his subjects reached back out to him to explain how much the experience helped them and inspired them.
Needless to say, Dan is a true inspiration, whose powerful story is a must listen.
Dan's Links * Dan Fenstermacher Homepage * Dan's Projects Page * Facebook Page * Instagram Feed (@danfenstermacher) * Twitter @dlfenstermacher * SmithsonianMag - Winners Feature * 11 local Silicon Valley photographers you should follow * InMenlo - Dan Fenstermacher blends activism with photography * The Psychodynamics of Dan Fenstermacher's Portrait Photography * #OCDWeek - You Are Not Alone
Show Notes * Whitney Hammel - Autism Compassion Africa * James Balog - Chasing Ice * Caridad Sorondo * Relief for Puerto Rico (organizer: Betsy Collazo)
Resources * National Alliance on Mental Illness * I-to-I - Teach Abroad * GoOverseas - Teach Abroad * Artist in Residency - Costa Rica
**Calling in from picturesque Munich, Germany, today's guest is long distance friend of the show, Hanna Radek and we're talking photography, the Avengers, atomic wastelands, El Salvadoran gangs, you know, normal stuff.**
Hanna may have grown up in Nuremberg, but she is a child of the world. A travel and street photographer, she is a true inspiration to those who wish to see the world.
Picking up her first camera, a Minolta XD5, gifted by her father, she took to a creative life early on and dove head first into a the art of 3D Character Animation. A unique decision that led her to animating character movement for the Marvel Avengers film. Particularly Iron Man and this is something Casper and Jim found ample opportunity to fan-out over.
Discovering she wanted more from the world and to avoid the pending struggle such a daunting industry can bring, she pulled together her experience and moved on to production management in the Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality segment.
We spend a little bit fanning out a bit more... but...
Soon, our conversation moves toward the true heart of the episode, and that is Hanna's travels and photography... From Chernobyl to El Salvador, Hanna weaves together many great stories from along the way.
First, finding a hunger to get out and experience something new for the first time. At the age of 19, she applied to a volunteer program as a homeless helper in a randomly assigned region of South America. This brought her to spending a year, assisting those in need at a community in El Salvador. A trip that helped push Hanna beyond her comfort zone and ushered in a new journey of discovery.
I know I cannot change the world, but I could give those people something for their life... and they gave me so much more.
Hanna Radek on her year in El Salvador
Things get fascinatingly eerie as we discuss her walk through Chernobyl. In what began as a Motorbike trip, a chance request by a friend turned into a unique adventure through Kiev and the ruins of Chernobyl.
I love to be on the edge, where people meet and ideas are created. I love that...
Hanna Radek on her love of travel.
Tune on in and we hope you enjoy our discussion with Hanna Radek.
Hanna Radek Links * Instagram * Homepage/Portfolio
Sponsored by Glass Key Photo: 1230 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Event: Photo Devils Zine & Book Fair - Sat, October 27th 12-6
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Want to hear some older episodes? Check out more on our Episodes Page.
Want to be on the show? Hit us up at contact@streetpx.com
It's been a long summer break and the StreetPX crew has been itching to get back to business... So without further delay, we bring you the start of Season 4, with the one and only, Chris Suspect!
In true StreetPX form, we start with the introspective build up, analyzing a bit of those childhood roots of inspiration. As a 14 year old kid in Helsinki, Chris took his his first full leap into Punk Rock with a purchase of Devo's "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!" and "Give 'Em Enough Rope" by the Clash. Both of which were impulse buys, solely on the graphic influence of the album covers.
But it was Punk Rock that would act as a catalyst for that creative expression and whether he was rocking out to a live show, wading through a mosh pit documenting the energy, thrashing on the stage, or helping usher in new talent, Chris never looked back... and his work definitely reflects that passion.
You know that Robert Capa quote, 'if your photos aren’t good enough, your not close enough'…. When your photographing Punk Rock, if the photos aren’t good enough, your not getting punched in the face enough.
Chris Suspect on photographing live Punk Rock concerts
Throughout, Chris shares his appreciation for the masters, such as Elliot Erwitt and Josef Koudelka, all the way up to his recent influences through workshops and collaborations with Alex Webb and Richard Bram.
We dive down his life as a traveling kid of diplomat parents in Soviet Moscow, Bangkok, Copenhagen, his lucky break capturing Ty Cobb (ex-Trump lawyer) rocking out to Copstabber at the Slash Run Bar in Washington DC and much more.
Needless to say, there is a lot to unpack in this season opener... So stop reading, take a quick look at some of the work and listen in as we chat down with Chris Suspect.
Enter the Miami Street Photography Festival Contests
Day of the Dead Workshop (San Miguel, MX Oct 29 - Nov 4)
Oh, and a tip for those street photographers in the DC area, Chris may have given away a secret by telling us about a local photogenic hotspot at 7th and H Street. So, don't go there, okay... Just stay away.
If you enjoy the experienced stories from a lifetime of musical inspiration, be sure to check out our interview with Deadhead photographer, Jay Blakesberg.
Artist Links * Portfolio * SuspectDevice.net (Tumblr) * Instagram: @Gratuity_Included
Show Notes: * Zen in the Art of Archery (Cartier Bresson’s favorite Book - linked to 1999 rerelease)
Artists Mentioned * Elliot Erwitt * Juan Jose Reyes (MSPF) * Veronica Valle (MSPF) * Lauren Welles (MSPF) * Lynne Kaplan (MSPF) * Alex Webb * Richard Bram * Josef Koudelka * Brandon Hill (No Kings Collective)
Bands/Venues/Outlets Mentioned * Devo * Clash * Copstabber (band) * Minor Threat (band) * Black Flag (band) * TSOL (band) * Naked Raygun (band) * Mission Impossible (Dave Grohl's first band) * Lunch Meat (band) * Kent Stacks (band: Scream) * The Loft (Venue in Baltimore) * Tim Yohannan - Maximum Rock and Roll in Berkeley
After a very successful Streetfoto festival and brief pause since our last episode, StreetPX is back with another great interview, as we sit down with Carmel's own, Marc Silber.
Marc Silber is a photographer, videographer and accomplished author of "Secrets to Creating Amazing Photos" and "Advancing Your Photography", two fantastic photography books with the Amazon Best Seller stamp of approval. Each a must have for any photographer, rookie or veteran alike.
In today's interview, we dive into the process of pulling his writing together and expand on the repository of inspiring tools described in "Secrets to Creating Amazing Photos". We discuss his work with the families of Ansel Adam and Edward Weston, his video interviews through marcsilber.tv and his extensive experience behind and in front of the camera.
Steelyard is a scale - You have a balance between a object on one side (which is larger), balanced with an object on the other side (which is smaller) and what it does is it creates a sense of balance in your composition.
Marc Silber speaking on the Steelyard Composition
Season Three Finale Episode
Now, don't be too mad at our producers here, but this will be the last episode in our third "season" of StreetPX. Casper and Jim are looking to enjoy some much needed down time this summer, and fuel up with a number of heavy hitter guests when they return to hit the ground running this fall... During this time, there will still be plenty of content flowing at you with blog posts, shares and critiques over on the StreetPX Lounge, updated PhotoNews on our Flipboard magazine and much more. You won't be forgetting about us that easily.
So hit that play button today and enjoy our talk with the one and only, Marc Silber...
Have an awesome Summer StreetPX Nation!
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Marc Silber Links * Marc Silber on Instagram * Advancing your Photography on YouTube * SilberStudios.TV
Books Available on Amazon * The Secrets to Creating Amazing Photos * Advancing Your Photography
Reid Callanan is a man with a singular focus on photographic education and through his impressive passion, he has built one of the most successful workshop organizations in the United States.
Santa Fe Photographic Workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico has been in operation for nearly 30 years and in that time, he has expanded from a handful of courses with a staff of six, to well over 200 classes a year, hosted by a symphony of established veterans of the craft. Its this fascinating story of growth, that has offered a guiding light for new and seasoned photographers from around the world.
Today, he joins StreetPX to discuss his journey from learning and working with visionaries such as Craig Stevens, Ernst Haas and Elliot Porter, at the Main Photographic Workshops in Rockport, Maine to taking such a unique idea and making it his own in the open spaces of New Mexico.
Throughout, Reid shares stories of his time photographing behind the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union, his love of skiiing, inviting in Muhammed Ali while working with Apple Master Class, the expansion of workshops into Cuba and much more.
I got to meet my heroes in photography. But not just meet them, I got to have meals with them and show them my photography, look at their work. It was just this amazing, eye opening experience…. Short Story is, went to Maine. Took a two week class and stayed for 14 years.
Reid Callanan speaking on getting his start with Maine Photographic Workshops
When you try to photograph with a long lens without explaining who you are and then walk away. They are not going to be receptive. They are not going to give you any piece of themselves. You might be able to photograph what they look like, but your not gonna be able to photograph who they are, as people.
The only way to photograph who they are and to capture an essence of them, or some part of them, is to have a relationship with them. The only way to do that is to be open and honest and respectful of them.
Reid Callanan speaking on documenting the citizens of Havana, Cuba
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Show Notes: * Reid Callanan Portfolio * Santa Fe Workshops * Reid Callanan on Instagram * San Miguel Photographic Workshops - Register for October 2018
Artists' Mentioned * David H Lyman * Eliot Porter * Ernst Haas * Sam Abell * Jay Maisel * Pete Turner * Craig Stevens * Arnold Newman * William Albert Allard * Charles Harbutt * Mary Ellen Mark * Ralph Gibson
After a very eventful and alcohol filled walk through Hippie Hill in San Francisco on 4/20, Ye Min and Casper sat down to discuss photographic inspirations, workshops and street photography.
Hailing from Yangon Myanmar, Ye Min has the benefit of world travel through his day job and never hesitates to turn this opportunity into a phenomenal exploration of street photography.
With an ever-present appreciation for conceptual poetry, Ye Min applies a combination of inspiration from Sophie Colle, technical knowledge pulled from workshops with Maciej Dakowicz and the editing prowess he developed from learning with Matt Stuart. Together these storytelling techniques allow him to continue to develop an amazing body of work that you simply must see.
Today, we're talking poetry, books, workshops, the importance of editing and analysis, and the act of being incredibly critical with your own work.
Also, be sure to check out the fantastic Myanmar_SP hashtag on Instagram. You'll be glad you did.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Ye Min Links * Flickr Profile * World Street Photography Profile * Instagram Feed * #Myanmar_SP
Artists Mentioned * Maciej Dakowicz * Sophie Calle * Eric Kim * Matt Stuart
For the third year in a row, Streetfoto is hitting the bay area and ranks among the top festival destinations for all things street photography. From workshops to photo walks to gallery events, lectures, zine reviews and so much more.
If you shoot or appreciate street photography, this is the event to visit and today, founder and organizer Ken Walton is here to share what he can.
The schedule is still evolving, so be sure to visit www.streetfoto.org for more updates as we get closer to June… Including workshop and photowalk registrations, schedules of events and much more.
Streetfoto San Francisco International Street Photography Festival - June 4th thru 10th Excerpt from www.Streetfoto.org (more information coming soon) The 3rd annual StreetFoto San Francisco will be coming to HMPC June 4-10. StreertFoto is the world's largest street photography festival, drawing visitors from around the globe and contest entrants from 60 different countries. Join us for amazing exhibitions of award-winning international street photography, workshops taught by accomplished photographers, lectures and slideshows by well-known practitioners of the craft, and no fewer than eight photowalks around San Francisco's most shootable neighborhoods.
Workshops Since our founding in 2016, people have traveled in from around the globe to teach and learn street photography at StreetFoto San Francisco. Take a look at our workshops for 2018. Joining one (or two!) will be the highlight of your festival experience.
- Jeff Mermelstein 5-day street photography workshop // June 6-10, 2018
- Full Frontal Flash Collective 3-day flash street photography workshop // June 8-10, 2018
- Andy Kochanowski & TC Lin 3-day Burn My Eye street photography workshop // June 3-5, 2018
- Ibarionex Perello 2-day street photography workshop // June 9-10, 2018
Exhibitions StreetFoto is all about exhibitions, and in 2018 we’ll have more than ever, in locations throughout the city. From group shows to solo exhibitions, our aim is to make your eyes bleed. Keep your eyes on this space for more information.
- Exhibition: San Francisco City Photography Club Spring 2018 // June 04 - 10, 2018
- Exhibition: International Street Photography Awards Finalists // June 05 - 10, 2018
- StreetFoto BookLab // June 09, 2018
- Jeff Mermelstein lecture and StreetFoto 2018 Awards // June 09, 2018
Portfolio Reviews Want an honest opinion and helpful criticism? Let a seasoned, impartial veteran spend a half hour with your best work. We’ll be doing reviews the weekend of June 8-10, and by appointment earlier in the week.
Photo Walks Registrations begin May 5th!
This may be what we do best. Every year we host free photo walks every day of the festival in different neighborhoods throughout the city, and we get fantastic feedback about them. This year we’re adding more. We’ll have the signup page ready soon.
Places to Shoot
We’ll show you all over town with our free photo walks, but if you’re itching to go it alone (as a lot of us are), find lots of people on the streets in these areas:
- Market Street from Civic Center to the Embarcadero
- Union Square
- Financial District
- Embarcadero
- Chinatown
- Haight Street near Golden Gate Park on 6/10 (for the Haight Street Fair)
Alejandra López-Zaballa is a well traveled, award winning documentary photographer with over 70 countries on her punch card. Today she joins us to share her journey, her documentary work in the orphan camps of Nairobi, Kenya to Oaxaca, Mexico and so much more.
Growing up with a mother who painted often, she quickly found her creativity in painting and dancing... But as with most families of Spain at the time, she found herself obligated to pursue a degree and lucrative career. Which as we all know, is a rare association with the path of photography.
I said to my mom, "I want to quit school and I want to just go to the dancing school eight hours a day, because I want to become a professional dancer... "To which her mother said, "Oh and you want to starve too..." [laughter] Alejanda's response... "Yes"
Alejandra speaking on her first mother-daughter discussion about going into the arts.
Over the years and through the great successes of her day job, she eventually found her path in the arts following a move to Thailand. It was there where she picked up the camera and forced herself to learn how to truly develop human interest narratives that can vibrate throughout the world.
...I was going two weeks to the Philippines, two weeks to Myanmar, two weeks to Japan... So that is really when I think I can say, I started to become a photographer... [It] was when I was able to spend 5 hours on a spot for something to happen, when I was able to wake up in the morning at 2 o'clock to climb a mountain and be at the peak at sunrise. When I was able to take photos of people without getting embarrassed or nervous. When I was able to take photos of people in the streets and they felt fine, comfortable. I develop all those skills, the soft skills, by doing it, by doing it and doing it thousands of times.
Alejandra speaking on her development as a photographer.
Alejandra shares her thoughts on the importance of documentary projects, the difficulty in gaining awareness and the difference recognition can make, for those in need.
When people are more aware, people want to do things... people want to change the world from their little world and we can all add a grain of salt. We don't need to do a huge thing. If we all do a little thing, the sum of all those little things is gonna be an amazing, huge thing.
Alejandra speaking on project recognition and attention.
As we move into her dedicated work, we discuss "Shelters and Futures", a project where Alejandra López-Zaballa focuses her camera on an orphan house in Oaxaca, Mexico, capturing the lives of young girls who have been removed from their home due to the inability of their parents to continue caring for them. The reasons vary from young mothers, crime, health and much more and over the course of the last 3 years, she has annually stayed for weeks on end, capturing intimate fine art imagery of the children, workers and surrounding landscape to tell the story of struggle and success.
We also examine "Bangkok Soul", her work at the HIV camps in Nairobi, the common threads connecting the world, the many ways Alejandra self-funds her projects through contests and print sales, as well her workshops in Mexico City and so much more.
So now it's time to stop reading, gaze through the gallery below and click the play button above!
This is StreetPX, and the street awaits....
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm
Alejandra López-Zaballa Links * Home page * Instagram * LensCulture * Facebook * YouTube Channel * Smithsonian Magazine * Twitter * LinkedIn
Show Notes * ECHO European Community Humanitarian Office * Roza Vulf - Leica Store Rome "Floating World" Ends May 10th. * La Raza - Los Angeles Autry Museum at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA * William Eggleston - Los Alamos - Metropolitan Museum of Art
At the age of 25, Katie Jett Walls was given an old Minolta SRT201 film camera by her father. It was well used and the light meter was broken, but with full manual in place, she drove through the mountains of Virginia, gaining knowledge on the basics and found herself instantly hooked on photography.
After accepting her fate, she decided to attend photography school in Oklahoma City and while there had the chance to work in the darkroom a LOT. In our discussion, Katie believes that starting with film offered her an advantage in learning in a more in-depth and detailed process.
Professionally, Katie started out by documenting weddings, but as the work began to feel redundant and bland, she transitioned to photographing families and children in particular, and she does it all in a magnificent documentary style.
We start this episode off with a dive into her obsession with Diane Arbus and the first time she saw her work at The Met Brewer.
She went out of her way to find people that were particularly unusual. photographing them to empathize what was strange about them. Something in me was like, Diane I get you! Get out of the box and get into the world and go right up close to things that are so different than what you experienced.
Speaking on her fascination with Diane Arbus
We analyze a few of her wonderful projects... "Save our Souls", documenting Puerto Rico after the hurricanes. "American Streets", which explores the cultural significance of the streets. "Grief Girls", her first personal project, documenting her Grandmother's and her widowed friends during their regular dollar taco night outings.
Of course it wouldn't be a DC discussion without some chat about politics and photography in the capital city.
"Our local news, is everyone elses's national news"
Speaking on the local perception of events in Washington D.C.
Last but not least, it must be noted that our favorite segment comes at the tail end (around 1hr17min), as Casper reaches deep into left field and sheds a little bit of light on Katie's love of improve theater. Do not miss this segment, because this discovery of how great improv can be with bettering our street photography, is too good.
Apologies in advance for the less than ideal audio quality. We had some issues on one of the audio channels.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Show Links * Portfolio/Webpage * @womeninstreet * Project: Save our Souls * Instagram @katiejettwalls * Save our Souls Project * Red Turtle Photography * Cult of the Stage Monkey * Washington Improve Theater * Silverbacks Improv Theater * Bechdel Test
Exhibit: Bethesda, Maryland, Opens on July 8 (1 month) - Glen Echo Photoworks, Miraculous and the Mundane
We're heading to the City of Angels, as we sit down with documentary photographer and skateboarder, Robert LeBlanc.
From the time his balance could allow, he has spent his days a camera in hand and a skateboard underfoot. It was his second ACL tear however, that forced his hand in turning his attention to documenting the gnarly tricks, rather than furthering his own injuries…
I knew that the life of jumping and down things was at it’s end… I had to come up with a backup route
Robert speaking on coming to terms his hanging up the board and gluing a camera to his hand.
Even though Robert has pulled back from harrowing grinds and kick-flips, skateboarding is never far from mind. From Robert's perspective, it's the board that saved his life and made him the artist he is today. So it's the board that he will always be faithful to. As such, we decided to press that fact and learn more about why skateboarding and photography work so well together.
The work ethic that you have to develop with it to.. You have to keep trying it and trying it and you get beat up. You get hurt, but you can’t give up and I think that goes hand in hand with photography. If your not out there doing it and your not out there pushing yourself and putting yourself in tough situations. Then your not gonna get the photos that you need to get, your not gonna get the result that you need.
Robert speaking on how skateboarding helped save his life and made him a better artist.
We explore his travels to Bulgaria and Prague with friends and fellow skateboarders, Drew Kessler and Ben Scarazano. We laugh about the randomness of the destinations, but quickly pivot to silent fascination, as he describes the Gypsy communities on the outskirts of town, skateboarding through Stalin Square, the massive Communist party rallies experienced and even a disheartening story of hungry kids fighting one another over a chocolate bar.
You have this little area, that was kind of this sign of oppression to the people there. But one you feel they took it back and now its this center of creativity and all these kids skateboarding… it was a really cool change from one to the other that I thought was amazing.
Robert LeBlanc speaking on on Skateboarding in Stalin Square in Prague.
Beyond his stories of the road, we eventually move our interview inward and discuss his own personal struggle with alcoholism and in turn, the awareness and resolve he uses to focus his lens on the reality of addiction. Particularly, his project to bring attention to the sobering, yet empowering lives of those recovering from meth addiction.
So you hear all these really crazy stories from people and the deep dark roads this drug takes them down. So I wanted to create a project where people can understand that you can get out of it. Like there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel...
Robert speaking on bringing focus to the victims of Meth addiction.
Last but not least, what kind of interview would it be, if we failed to acknowledge and analyze his book, Unlawful Conduct (2015)? A project on skate culture, the struggles of addiction, of violence and even the resultant discovery of the Robert's identity as a documentary photographer. His book has sold out across the 8 countries, in such esteemed stores as MoMA PS1 and the Frye Art Museum.
Though, difficult to find, it is at times still possible... So be sure to check out show links below for a link to the only copy we could find in the wild, otherwise known as Amazon. As well as a link to Skylight Books in LA where you might just find a copy in stock from time to time.
Tune in today folks, it's a great show!
Patreon Contributors, don’t miss out on an additional half hour of behind the scenes bonus material over in our Bonus Content Section. If you’re not part of our Patron Street and would like to tap in to all the extra resources it offers, be sure to visit us on Patreon and subscribe to help make StreetPX the best podcast on the airwaves.
Don't miss our last 2-Part Special with the one and only, Stephen Somerstein.
Show Links * Robert LeBlanc Homepage * Instagram Feed * Unlawful Conduct [2015] - Amazon Link * Skylight books (LA)
Artists Mentioned * Lee Friedlander * Yudo Kurita * Eugene Richards * Robert Frank
Montana Meth Project Hot Line: (406) 721-2538
Our discussion with Stephen Somerstein proved to be so fantastic (and long) that we simply could not bring ourselves to cut it into a singular episode... So, we broke this one in half and today we are publishing Part 2 of this very special, and extended discussion on documenting history.
We hope you enjoy this continued discussion, as we expand on Stephen's battle with Paramount Pictures for using his images without explicit permission during the creation of the Emmy award winning documentary "Selma", selling a large format photo for a very high price tag during a charity event for Elton Johns AIDs Foundation, the importance of photo editors in journalism, as well as the advantages they offer new and upcoming photographers and the deteriorating (yet hopeful) state of American journalism in the 21st century.
In a sense they want to feel, that this can come again. They want to be reminded of that better time. I think thats why the picture is even more symbolic today...
I think it becomes more important in times of stress, or difficulty in the country. That we’re reminded that there can be better days. That there are people who have been here. Who have drawn from the best of what America has to offer.
Stephen speaking on the power of the image and its relation to the current climate of a nation.
You can have a great photographer, but you need an editor.... What I have experienced, is that there are great photographers out there. They are talented people. [But] the photographer is not gonna see the public eye, unless they have a good editor who not only recognizes the image, but also presents it properly. Unfortunately magazines and newspapers do not spend the money to hire those good people.
Stephen speaking on the importance of photo editors and the deteriorating quality of journalism today.
If you missed our last episode, stop now, click here and go back and give it a listen. You don't want to miss a minute.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Show Notes: * Stephen Somerstein Homepage and Portfolio * Email Stephen for More Information * Elton John Aids Foundation * De Young Museum * Robert Flynn Johnson * Selma Movie * Ava Duvernay - Paramount Pictures * The Jewish Museum * San Francisco Chronicle - Leah Garchik * Harvard College Observatory * Paramount Studios * Vivian Maier * Howard Greenberg * Henri Cartier Bresson * San Francisco Art Exchange * Modernism Gallery
Patreon Contributors, don't miss out on an additional 30 minutes of pre-recorded bonus material, taken from our discussion with Stephen Somerstein. This can be found over at www.streetpx.com.
If you're not moved in on our Patron Street and would like to tap in to all the extra resources it offers, be sure to visit us on Patreon and toss a few dollars our way to help make StreetPX the best podcast on the airwaves.
"Iconic"... This is the only word that comes to mind when we talk about the work of photographer and scientist, Stephen Somerstein.
Some how, some way, StreetPX had the honor of flipping on the mics to discuss Stephens experiences for well over 3 hours and since we did not want to lose a single syllable of context… We made the executive decision to split this into a 2-Part StreetPX Special… with the first half available today and the second planned for next week…
Growing up in New York in the 50s and 60s, he was afforded the unique freedom of walking through the local museums and even handling the artwork (...it was a different time)… As a kid recalls visiting the Museum of Modern Art to wonder around and developing his own opinions on what makes a good piece of artwork. It was these visits that helped expand his photographic interests and inspirations through the work of Dorothea Lange, Alfred Stieglitz, Gene Smith and Edward Weston, among many others.
I was taken with the journalistic photographers…. But what really excited me, was street photography… Capturing events that were happening in that moment… But capturing in a way that had a dynamism to it… A beautiful structure about it…
Stephen Somerstein speaking on visiting the museums as a youth
While he started photography for technical reasons, his abilities continued to broaden as he stomped the streets of New York with a favorite location in Greenich Village, where he was a regularly fixture, honing his photography by creating personal projects in the vein of Henri Cartier Brassen.
Enrolling to the Physics program at City College in NYC in the 1959, Steve quickly became interested in Photo-Journalism. So much so that he admits to spending more time on photographic projects than his own research experiments, but it was this interest that allowed him the opportunity to visit one of the most famous civil rights demonstrations in American History.
As Stephen puts it, he cut his teeth documenting the ’63 March on Washington (photos discussed have never been seen), but he soon readied for an event that would later change his life and bring great attention to his talent for composition and capturing humanistic stories of perseverance and bravery.
Early in the spring of 1965, Stephen Somerstein, a scrappy young college student from New York, boarded a bus with only 13 rolls of film for his handful of cameras and set forth to Alabama, unaware of the monumental event he was about to capture.
It was there when he photographed the legendary march from Selma to Montgomery… A weeklong demonstration that has been carved into the bedrock of the American narrative….
Dr. Martin Luther King, Loretta Scott King, John Lewis, Andrew Young, Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, James Baldwin, Joan Baez...
These are names that forever changed the trajectory of civil rights in American History…
My original plan was to photographs students from my college and then follow them through.. That instantly evaporated when I realized this is a far bigger story than a few students from my college...
You see Dr. King, and you say, this is an important figure in this history… but their right in front of you and you don’t know how important it’s going to be. I had to keep priming myself, to be conscience of that… and of course, my situation, with my film, was the thing that was also driving me. My problem had been that I kept thinking I was gonna get the film before the march. But what happened, was that, I was at home, and the word came out that we’re all going tonight… To Alabama… I hadn’t , I had been planning
Stephen Somerstein speaking on his experience photography Dr. Martin Luther King at Montgomery
This imagery, largely went unnoticed for decades. It was only int he last few years, following his retirement from Lockheed Martin, did he begin digging out his old negatives and producing a project that would resonate across the ages. A project that has been featured in the New York Times, the Howard Greenberg Gallery, Fahey Klein Gallery, Reuters, San Francisco Art Exchange, BBC and countless more outlets and museums to date.
It goes without saying... but I will anyway... Stephen shares many a story during this 2-Part Special. So much so that, show notes could never convey the breadth of this discussion.
Every shot that I took.. I was looking, as if there was a frame around it. And I was saying, what is the picture saying, how is the energy of the photograph focused, where are they looking, what is the message. And that has to be done in a fraction of a second.
You have to be sort of scanning your eye over the horizon in front of you. And you say, theres a possible picture and then you move yourself into position and then you have to hit it at just the right moment, when the faces are facing in the right direction, the light is doing this, the background is doing that.
Your taking a multitude of different contribution to the photograph that you have to think about. Should I use deep depth of field, should I use a larger aperture opening and defuse the background. Your doing this, very very quickly.
One of the things that I discipline myself about is… Don’t talk to anyone… Don’t break your stream of consciousness. If you start talking to people, you’ll wonder off the focus.
Stephen Somerstein speaking on the disciplining oneself to get the photo you want.
Stephen goes on to speak about his father who was an editor and cutter for 20th Century Fox, the first time he visited the shop of legendary camera guru Marty Forscher, the first time he met war photographer, Gene Smith (and almost bought one of his prints for $30), his bold calls to the Library of Congress, which resulted in acquiring an original print of Lange's "Migrant Mother" portrait and so much more.
You are just going to have to listen in and find out more. Part #2 will be available in the coming days. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or iHeartRadio and be notified immediately when it's live.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Stephen Somerstein * Portfolio
Venues Mentioned * Fogg Art Museum * 53rd Street Library * NY Times Article * Howard Greenberg Gallery * Fahey Klein Gallery * The Village Camera Club * Michael Thomas Kelly - NY Times Reporter * Helen Gee and the Limelight Gallery (Sheridan Square NYC)
Artists Mentioned * Alfred Stieglitz * Edward Weston * W. Eugene Smith * Erich Salomon * Bill Pierce * Ansel Adams * Marty Forscher - Camera Repair Guru in NYC for over 40 years * Dorothea Lange * Stanley Dance * Duke Ellington * The City of St Jude. Catholic School
Animal lover and copy editor for PETA, Tracy Habenicht recently leapt head long into the world of street photography. She may be new to the genre, but she brings a fresh perspective to the camera and a wonderful discussion to the microphone.
Beginning her interest in December of 2016, Tracy immediately discovered a love of photographing people and her surroundings. Throughout this episode we explore her work with PETA [yes, we briefly discussed the baboon selfie], her path to the camera, artistic inspirations, women in photography and so much more.
Experience makes us better - this is an accepted constant in pretty much any industry. But, its a fresh eye that can usually discover what a veteran eye can often overlook. This is the benefit of talking with new street photographers and why having Tracy on the show was so much fun.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-6pm.
Tracy Habenicht Links: * Portfolio * Tracy Habenicht (Flickr) * @tracy_habenicht (instagram)
Show Notes * Elliott Erwitt + Elliott Erwitt: On the Beach * Jay Maisel * Scott Kelby + KelbyOne: Online Photoshop, Photography & Lightroom Training * Cindy Sherma * Valérie Jardin * Casey Meshbesher + Women in Street Website + Her Side of the Street (Instagram) + Her Side of the Street (Facebook) * Jo-Anne McArthur: We Animals * Roxanne Bouche' Overton
Opening Plugs * Vivian Maier Exhibit (St Louis, MO) * A New Vision: American Photography After the War (NYC)
2017 was one hell of a year for all of us here at StreetPX and on this episode, Casper and Jim sit down to discuss the finer points of the last year.
Today, we're sharing our favorite episodes, backstory on how they came to be, the ups and the downs of producing StreetPX, our live events and even a few gear acquisitions over the year. Beyond simply reminiscing, we're also offering a few hints on what our audience can expect throughout 2018. Spoiler... it's going to be awesome!
Above all, we want to thank all of you out there for tuning into our little show twice a month. You are the reason we do what we do and appreciate each and every one of you.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you’ll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Show Links: * Steve Disenhof * Chase Stevens * Jay Blakesberg * Roza Vulf * Rammy Narula * StreetPX Live at Streetfoto (audio) * StreetPX Live at Streetfoto (video) * Film Week with special guests Pete Rosos and Nick Mayo
HAPPY NEW YEAR StreetPX Nation!!! We hope that everyone had a wonderful (and safe) New Year Celebration...
We're kicking of 2018 with a bang, as we sit down and talk with Brenton Gieser, a San Francisco photographer, videographer and documentarian, who has spent countless hours documenting the people of the San Francisco Tenderloin District.
Together with his friend and fellow documentarian, Felix Uribe, Brenton continues to develop an inspiring collection of photos, video and audio interviews, focused solely on the inhabitants of the Tenderloin. A neighborhood synonymous with struggle - of money, of addiction, of crime - and creates a narrative that introduces us to a world often ignored, but robust in culture. A deep community spirit hidden beneath a harsh layer of conflict. Tender Souls immediately turns up the volume and gives voice to those with stories to tell and no one to listen.
Interview Excerpt:
Whether we know it or not, we’re all hanging on by a thread… Life is fragile… And I think that often times we feel like we are impervious to.. ya know, if your rich or ya know if your successful to any extent, we feel like we are impervious to hardship…
But, the film shows that nobody is… I think some people are born in to much more hardship than others and thats, I think, a truth that a lot of Americans choose to not acknowledge and that’s a shame… But what is the most beautifully surprising thing about the film and the subjects… is there is real underlying spirit of just, love and possibilities with each one.”
~ Brenton Gieser
Beyond our in-depth analysis of the Tender Souls project, we also dive into Brenton's technique in approaching and documenting individuals of difficult circumstances. How he gets past inherent human reservations to truly get to know and appreciate his subjects, no matter their background or situation. How a simple chat, can bring a human shadow into the light.
For you established or aspiring documentarians, Brenton continues beyond the project to offer us a fascinating conversation on taking a project from the mind, to the storyboard, to the street and to the people... including advice on distribution, planning and much, much more.
We have a ton of content to share and only an hour and a half to offer it... So scroll on up and hit that "Play" button.
This is StreetPX... and the street, awaits!
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs, local artists zines and meet the most welcoming camera junkies you’ll find in the Bay Area. Join us November 16th, as they host their Grand Reopening at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Brenton Gieser Instagram Feed
[wdi_feed id="36"]
Brenton Gieser Links
- Homepage and Portfolio
Tender Souls Public Film Screening and Fundraiser [Get Tickets Here]
- Date: Thu, January 18, 2018
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
- Location: Covo, 981 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Tendersoulsfilm.com
- TenderSoulsProject.com
Show Links
- Catchlight.io
- City Hope
- Covo
- Coalition on Homelessness
- StreetSheet
- Felix Uribe Jr.
- Mayor of Tenderloin - Del Seymour
- Almost True, by Steven Bollman (F8 Books)
- Episode 26 with Steven Bollman
Jock McDonald, traveling people photographer, musician and natural story teller… joins us to discuss his fascinating and unique creative upbringing and the adventures he experienced along the way.
From exhibiting and documenting in Cold War era Soviet Union, photographing Robin Williams amongst hundreds of rat traps, fanning out before working with Evander Holyfield, explaining his frequent flyer miles to China, Nicaragua and Cuba to the authorities and much more… this episode is packed with a long and twisting tale of Jock’s path to becoming the artist he is today.
Immediately we dive deeply into the roots of Jock’s creativity and the early opportunities that molded his views on the world. Including the story of his mother, a talented sculptor and painter, and his step father, Rene Di Rosa, an art collector and founder of the Di Rosa Preserve Center for Contemporary Art. His childhood was a whirlwind of family dinners, hosting highly notable artists, offering inspirational conversations a curious and creative kid like Jock McDonald could eavesdrop on.
One of the conversions that struck me… that one probing question, which is .. What makes art… What is it?
- Jock McDonald talking about discussions he overheard.
Art is made up of three things.. 1. It has content, it has an idea. 2. It has craft, it’s well made.. 3. Most importantly, it has mystery.
- Answer by Al Farrow and Jock's favorite.
At 14 years of age, Jock broke his back, falling 40 feet from a tree. During the course of his year of recovery, he spent his time reading the entire 22 volumes of Life magazine on photography and Edward West’s day books, fantasizing about what it would be like to be a photographer.
In the early 90’s Jock was invited to exhibit his work at the Fortress of Peter and Paul. An event sponsored by both the Red Army and the American Embassy in Lenengrade. It’s one hell of a fascinating story.
Who are we kidding, this entire interview is a flowing series of fascinating series. So hit play... and if you dig the show, we’d love a Share on Facebook.
Jock McDonald's Links * Homepage * Cuba Stories at The Image Flow * Cuba: The Ultimate Road Trip * Mental Flash January 31, 1990: McDonald's Opens in the Soviet Union * The Rurals (initially, Faces of the Enemy) * The Russians
Artists Mentioned * Rêne Di Rosa + The Di Rosa Preserve * Irving Penn * Dorothea Lange * Garry Winogrand * Diane Arbus * Roy De Forest * Al Farrow
Having Heroes is an important part of being an artist. It’s built on those that went before. You’re sorta standing on the shoulders of those thats gone before you.
- Jock McDonald
Seamless One World Portrait by Jock McDonald
We're aiming straight for the inspiration receptors, as we sit down with Bay Area Photographer, Steve Disenhof. Throughout this episode, we discuss his long career in social work and how his professional background lead him to a passion for street photography and the ongoing development of new school programs to teach technology and photography in Kenya.
Originally pursuing engineering on the East Coast, Steve Disenhof made an major left turn and transitioned into the social welfare and psychology program at Penn State. Following graduation, Steve spent five years as a street counselor in Boston, talking with run-aways, pimps and prostitutes, in an effort help get them off the street and to protect new runaways from being fully enveloped into the perpetual life. A very unique background that is very evident in the fearlessness and comfort of his street photography and street portraiture.
After moving to the Bay Area in the late eighties, Steve became director of a day treatment program in San Francisco for several years until his daughter was born and chose to become a full-time, stay at home dad. After his daughter grew up, he then moved on to the financial industry and eventually retired to begin a new chapter of life focused on the pursuit of helping others.
One of those opportunities was inspired by his son, who lead him to working with a Residential Boarding School for girls in Kenya, who have qualified for high school but can not afford to go. In this, he started a foundation to raise money for computers, contacted camera club members to gather donated cameras and pulled together a 3 week introduction to computers and photography workshop and in the first year alone, 52 of the girls attended.
Currently as part of the board of directors for the Daraja Academy, his work and this seed has continued to grow into a full fledge educational program, with 131 girls actively on campus at any given time. Since it's inception in 2009, 85% of the graduating girls have qualified for University. Of those attending the school, 32 of the 42 tribes of Kenya are now represented, as well as all major religions. In addition, The Daraja Academy has continued to expand by developing a highly successful 4 year women's empowerment program.
As with any program such as this, operation and expansion depend on the generosity of the people from around the world. If interested, please feel free to donate by visiting The Daraja Academy, and clicking on Donate.
This is only the first half of the show, Casper and Steve continue the conversation on benefits of camera clubs, the activities and challenges of the Marin Photography Club, zines they create. We get into some gear talk on ISO and Variance in the new Sony sensors. As well as plenty of street talk. So tune in now!
Oh and did we mention, he is also on a Liberian postage stamp, posed with and painted by, Norman Rockwell...
Steve Disenhof Links * Smugmug Gallery * Flickr * 500px
Show Notes * The Daraja Academy * Marin Photography Club * Northern California Council of Camera Clubs * Pro Bono Photo * Mill Valley Film Festival * Doug Kaye * American Black & White in London * Almost True Exhibit in San Francisco - Photographs by Steve Bollman
Najib Joe Hakim is a documentary photographer using his camera to chronicle the culture, lives and personal stories of fellow Palestinian-Americans, living in the United States.
His first project, "Born Among Mirrors" began as a documentary project of Lebanon, during conflicts in 2006. Immediately, he found the project began to evolve, as the lens turned toward his own life, his family and his heritage. Through imagery, family interviews, found footage, passports, refugee ID cards and even a letter from Governor Rockefeller, welcoming his family to New York upon their arrival, "Born Among Mirrors" takes on cultural exploration, from a deeply personal perspective.
First showcased at the Rayko Center in San Francisco, the exhibit moved on to Washington DC through the Jerusalem Fund, back again to the Bay Area to be showcased at the Library of San Francisco Main Gallery.
That's the wonderful thing about projects, they take on a life of their own... and they tell you where to go after a while. It's like kids... You start out being the boss and then they end up being the boss.
- Joe, speaking on the natural evolution of a project.
His second Project "Home Away From Home: The Little Palestine by the Bay" is a photo narrative of the Bay Area Palestinian-American community, the second largest cultural epicenter of Palestinian-American society in the nation. In this project, Najib has dedicated years to collecting and sequencing micro-interviews and portraiture of fellow Palestinians from various geographic backgrounds, ages and genders. All in an effort to share a collective story of success, hardship and growth.
I would like to go back and shoot it from an insiders point of view.... somebody that maybe knows something about the culture and has awareness of Orientalism.
- Joe speaks to his reasoning for wanting to photography 20th Century Middle East
More than just an look back on who Najib Joe Hakim is as an artist, this interview shares a personal journey.
Najib Joe Hakim Links * Jaffa Orange Photo * View His Project Photography * Smugmug Portfolio * Born Among Mirrors * Home Away From Home: Little Palestine by the Bay + Vimeo Video * Cooking Lessons: A Palestinian American Story + Vimeo Video * Photography Workshops + On the Waterfront + Chinatown & North Beach + Sultry Sutro Baths
Show Notes * Digital File to Silver Gelatin Prints + Digital Silver Imaging (Boston, MA) + Harman Lab US (Los Angeles, CA)
Events * Steven Bollman Leica Store SF Exhibit + Almost True Book * San Jose Museum of Art - "This is Not a Selfie"
It's Michelle Groskopf Week on StreetPX! We have one hell of a fun show for you today, as we sit down with "Full Frontal" member and L.A.'s own, Michelle Groskopf. A spectacular street photographer with a heart of nostalgia and a head of creativity. Simply put, one hell of a great person and we had a blast chatting with her.
Hailing from the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, Michelle found an early love for visual story telling and through the guidance of an inspired high school art teacher, her passion grew and took her far from home. After studying abroad, she found herself in New York City, working as a video producer and teaching at the NY School of Visual Arts.
Most recently, she traded the Big Apple for the City of Angels and settled in Los Angeles to pick up a camera, a flash and begin focusing on developing her own projects... and what a path she has walked.
What is street photography?
It’s a meditation… Im walking down the street. I’m really honed in, paying attention to the things that excite me, that pass me by. And then I photograph them.
- Michelle Groskopf
If you enjoy great flash photography, then look no further than Michelle Groskopf and listen in as we discuss her work and talk shop. Also, be sure to head over to Kickstarter and check out her new monograph, "Sentimental".
Michelle Groskopf Links * Michelle's Home Page * Daily Street Tumblr * Sentimental - 5 Year Monograph * Magenta Foundation * Full Frontal Collective
Show Notes: * Larry Fink * Naomi Harris * Tammy Mercure * Angie Smith * Matt Stuart * Elizabeth Peyton * Billy Wilder * Orson Welles + Lady from Shanghai * Alfred Hitchcock * Fat Girl - “To my sister” (viewer discretion is advised) * Godard Masculin Féminin * Berlin Stories - Christopher Isherwood
Plugs * Jay Blakesberg Dark+Light Exhibit * Miami Street Photography Festival * Magnet Mod for Flash
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs, local artists zines and meet the most welcoming camera junkies you’ll find in the Bay Area. Join us November 16th, as they host their Grand Reopening at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Don’t miss our last show, a special 50th episode with veteran Rock & Roll photographer, Jay Blakesberg.
Chase Stevens, staff photographer for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins the StreetPX crew to discuss his experience documenting the active Las Vegas Mass Shooting, the Oregon Stand-Off, Burning Man, the Mayweather v. McGregor match and much more.
On the night of October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of more than 20,000 attendees at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. The massacre left 58 people dead, 546 wounded and ranked as the worst mass shooting in US History.
While Chase is usually off the clock on Sundays, he had volunteered to cover the preseason game with the new Las Vegas Knights NHL team. Shortly after arriving home, he received a call from his editor and quickly leapt back into the field. Making us of only his sports kit - the 400mm on his Canon and a 28mm on his Leica - he spent the evening documenting the chaos, victims and aftermath.... and today, he shares his experience and sheds a great deal more light on this tragic event.
I was using my street instincts really, because you don’t really want to be seen during situations like this.
- Chase Stevens, speaking on photographing the Vegas shooting
Additionally, we discuss his coverage of the Oregon Standoff between federal authorities and the armed militia group that took over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in early 2016. With complete access to the facility, Chase spent more than two weeks between two separate visits, documenting the tension and community reaction to the event.
We were all wondering... all the journalists... when was law enforcement gonna do anything? They waited a long time and I definitely understand why. But on the other hand, its sort of... there is such a probelm when you see the way they respond to something like Ferguson and they just come in and cracked down on everyone... and with this, you have these armed white guys and they're not doing anything... It's interesting to see up close.
- Chase Stevens, speaking on documenting the Oregon Standoff in 2016
We also expand on his WBO boxing assignments, his excitement in stealing away our Oakland Raiders and his street photography.
Tune in today!
Oh and if you're in the Bay Area this month, join us for the Glass Key Photo Grand Reopening, on November 16th.
Chase Stevens Links * Website/Portfolio * Instagram * Twitter * Time Magazine Piece
Artists Mentioned * David Becker * John Locher - AP Press Photographer * James Natchway * Doug Mills - NY Times Photographer
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs, local artists zines and meet the most welcoming camera junkies you'll find in the Bay Area. Join us November 16th, as they host their Grand Reopening at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Don't miss our last show, a special 50th episode with veteran Rock & Roll photographer, Jay Blakesberg.
Time to announce some contest winners! Earlier in the month, we offered up a full week dedicated to film and film shooting... At that time, we announced two great contests, so we could show some love to our dedicated listeners.
Both contests were simple and completely free to enter... The first, a film photo focused contest (say that five times fast) had our audience share their work in the Lounge, as well as a social media contest, asking folks to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
It was a great response with a lot of wonderful new ears added to the StreetPX Nation and we originally intended on releasing the news on our special 50th Episode with Jay Blakesberg. Instead, we wanted to take our time in pulling together our selections and figured we'd drop a little Micro Episode on you.
So without further adieu, our full list of contests winners. If you see you're name, please contact us and let's connect to find out where to send these great prints.
Social Media Contest 1. Doug Vance 2. Hannah O'Brien
Film Photo Contest In no specific order, here are the winners selected by RE Casper, Jim Watkins, Nick Mayo and Pete Rosos.
Mike Manzano Jacint Juhasz Vicky Hart Dan Fenstermacher
We want to offer a big congratulations to our winners... and a big thank you to everyone that participated.
If you did not win, fear not, we have plenty of upcoming contests...
Additionally, this holiday, you won't have to enter any contests to receive a great print. Simply head over to our Secret Print Exchange page and register. In December, all those who sign up, will be sent a recipient to send their preferred print to and soon after, you will receive a print from another... All in secret, which makes it even more fun!
SECRET PRINT EXCHANGE SIGN-UP Stay Tuned! We're talking back at you Friday, as we welcome Las Vegas photo journalist, Chase Stevens to the studio.
Coming to you from the Harvey Milk Recording Studio, in San Francisco's historic Harvey Milk Arts Center, it's time to get excited, because we did it folks! We have officially made it to our second anniversary of producing the StreetPX podcast and to celebrate our coveted 50th episode, Casper and Jim are sitting down to talk with veteran rock and roll photographer, Jay Blakesberg.
We did it folks! We officially survived our first two years talking with photographers from around the world and today, we sit down to celebrate our coveted 50th show, with legendary rock and roll photographer, Jay Blakesberg.
Please be warned, this is a full length 2hr Special Anniversary Episode... So feel free to use that pause button.
Jay Blakesberg, is a local bay area photographer with nearly 40 years in the industry, capturing imagery of such icons as The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Radiohead, REM, The Rolling Stones and many more.
Growing up in New Jersey, Jay leapt into photography early with a gifted Pentax and a home built darkroom, capturing photos of friends and family…
Through his deep passion for music and the camera, Jay’s career was clear from the start. After covering his first concert in the Meadowlands in 1978, Jay went on to work more than 300 assignments for Rolling Stone Magazine, 75 cover photos for BAM Magazine, well over 200 album covers and published 13 coffee table books.
To say Jay Blakesberg’s life has been a wild ride, would be quite the understatement and best of all, Jay is as articulate as he is talented with a camera.
It’s a whirlwind of stories, as a breakneck speed, including his techniques in managing work from the stage during massive music festivals, the development of his most well known photo book, Hippie Chick and his experiences in documenting what he calls, the Hippie Circus. His work with Jim Marshal and his one-on-one assignments with some of the most famous rock musicians in history.
We also discuss the changing landscape of professional photography, the ins and outs of working with publishing studios and the importance of photographers placing proper value on their work when selling their imagery.
There is far too much content packed into this full length, two hour interview to type out… and the timing of our episode is quite appropriate, as Jay has a brand new book hitting the shelves next week, “Eyes of the World - Grateful Dead Photography 1965-1995” 61, which includes photographs from himself, Jim Marshall, Herbie Green, Baron Wolman, Annie Leibovitz, David Gar and many, many more.
Additionally, if you are in the Bay area this November, do not miss his “Dark + Light” exhibit at Harvey Milk Photo Center, opening on November 9th. Planned over the course of the last year, this galley will include over 100 metal prints, featuring a retrospective of selected images from 1978 to present.
It’s hard to believe StreetPX is turning 2 years old… It’s even harder to believe the amazing response we’ve had from our growing audience and we cannot wait to see where we go from here.
Until then, it’s time to stop reading and hit that big orange play button above … and then let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Contest Winners from Film Week will be Announce next week! The deadline was last night and we are still culling through the amazing imagery to select our winners. It posed far harder than expected, so we hope you don’t mind waiting a few more days.
- SIGN UP FOR THE SECRET PRINT EXCHANGE -
Jay Blakesberg Links: * Jay Blakesberg Photography Page * Rock Out Books * DARK+LIGHT Exhibit - Opening November 9th at HMPC + Lecture - November 11th REGISTER HERE
Notable Books * Hippie Chick: A Tale of Love Devotion & Surrender * Eyes of the World - Grateful Dead Photography 1965-1995 + Book Release Parties - October 28th - Morrison Hotel Galley NYC - November 30th - Terrapin Crossroads San Rafael, CA
Artists Mentioned: * Jim Marshall * Annie Leibovitz * Mark Seleger * Herbie Greene * Baron Wolman * David Gahr * Frank Ockenfels * Albert Watson * Richard Avedon * Irving Penn * Herb Ritz * Dan Winters * Maurice Ramirez (wedding photographer)
Show Notes: * Chromaluxe * “Dangerously Curious Eye” - Barry Shapiro * “Whats Going On” Ken Light * Gordon Parks - Making of an Argument Exhibit - Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive * Walker Evans Exhibit - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art * Donate to the California Fire Foundation * Harvey Milk Photo Center * Harvey Milk Recreation Center
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you’ll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
We're going tropical in today's show, as Tim Huynh calls in during his lunch break in Honolulu, Hawaii. A fantastic street photographer, with a background in professional video and an active stream-of-consciousness blogger.
We first ran into Tim Huynh, during his visit to San Francisco at this year's Streetfoto International Street Photography Festival and after seeing his image on the wall of finalists and watching him grin through a brutal slaying by Bruce Gilden, Don Hudson and Michelle Groskopf in the Cage Match, we knew we wanted to get deeper into a Hawaii islanders take on street photography.
Throughout this one, we discuss his outlook on street photography in Hawaii, the extent of open territory available to burgeoning artists and the unique take aways one can gain from a visit to the picturesque island of O'ahu. His approach to documenting the beach and at one point, we even go over the comparisons Tim draws between street photography and professional wrestling.
If you're looking for a laid back talk on street, this is the episode for you.
Big News! We are ramping up to our 50th Episode and 2nd Year Anniversary of StreetPX on October 20th and we are starting with opening up the registratinos to participate in our yearly Secret Print Exchange!
We did it last year and it was a big hit, so we couldn't skip out on helping facilitate the international sharing of photographic prints this holiday season.
Click here to Sign Up and Join in!
Now, as for the 50th episode... it's going to be very special one, featuring long time rock and roll photography veteran, Jay Blakesberg, as well as the announcement of winners in our ongoing Film Week Contests...
Click here for more information
15 new camera designs coming soon... Just in time for the holidays.
Here's a teaser of what's to come.
Tim Huynh Links * Tim Huynh Photography * Tim Huynh on YouTube
Show Links * Gordon Parks - The Making of an Argument - Berkeley Arts Museum * Daido Moriyama Exhibit - Luhring Augustine in Brooklyn * Walker Evans - SFMOMA * Jay Blakesberg at Harvey Milk Photo Center
Artists Mentioned * Vivian Maier * Clark Little * Shin Naguchi * Jay Blakesberg * Bruce Gilden * Don Hudson * Michelle Groskopf
This week, we have a special Film Week Episode for you, featuring special guest Nick Mayo of YouTube's "Nick Exposed" and with guest co-host Pete Rosos, we're talking developing, darkroom, zines, scanning and more.
In a twist of fate, Jim is currently traveling the East Coast, so we took this opportunity to ask our friend Pete Rosos to return to the StreetPX studio and this time take a seat in the co-host chair. Being a film focused week and a film aficionado himself, it proved to be a perfect fit and resulted in a magnificent episode.
Pete and Nick both also have a request for , to bring back T-Max 3200.
We were introduced to Nick Mayo and were instantly taken by his show, "Nick Exposed". Through this inspiring YouTube Channel, Nick weaves together a fresh and honest stream on such topics as Giving back with our Photography, Selling Prints and most heavily discussed topics on today's episode, Zine making and Film-Film-Film.
Nick shares his use of Jazz in the Zine making process, the manner in which he finds his inspiration, his most recent release, "My Kind of Tone". Sadly sold out at the moment, but he has another coming out soon.
Since we're focused on film, we of course dive down our own experiences in developing, darkroom printing, scanning and more. It's a wide ranging, long winded episode, with an additional 15 minutes of Bonus Material usually reserved for our Patreon contributors, posted below for all listeners.
Social Media Contest We will be offering a number of prizes here through a random drawing. Prizes include HP5+ film, T-Shirts from 2Stops. So that's at least three winners and maybe more.
Option 1: Twitter: Follow @streetpx and retweet the following tweet...
Follow @streetpx and Retweet this message for a chance to win a signed photographic print.#photography #contest https://t.co/XG6wkXdozq
— StreetPX (@streetpx) September 12, 2017
Option #2: Facebook: Like our Page or Join the StreetPX Lounge, and share our latest episode.
Film Contest Winners will receive a free print from one of today's round table. Multiple winners will be chosen by hosts and past guests of StreetPX.
Enter By: Join StreetPX Lounge on Facebook and share your best film photos, with #FilmContest in the post. Limit of one photo per day.
Show Notes * Nick Exposed on YouTube * Nick and Emily Wedding Photography
Additional Links * From the Hip - Scott Strazzante * Almost True - Steve Bollman * FilmLab App * Rodinal
Artists Mentioned * Jay Maisel * Ralph Gibson * Kit Young * Casey Neistat
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you’ll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
The StreetPX crew drops in on Harvey Castro at Studio 369 in Oakland, to discuss a storied life of photography, Cuba, combat sports and a perilous journey from Nicaragua to the United States.
From his first camera, a Dr Pepper can converted into a disposable film camera, to his Hasselblad and Leica gear today, Harvey has always been a creative with a camera on hand.
In the early 1980’s, he and his mother fled the violence and war of Nicaragua and Harvey is open enough to share these memories of hiding in shadows, trusting strangers and dodging helicopters. It's definitely a reality check for what families go through when desperate for safety. A story that truly needs to be heard.
Later in the years, Harvey switched gears and moved beyond mere interest in photography and took up combat photography in Bay Area Mixed Martial Arts and Mai Thai fighting venues and travel photography through Cuba, Vietnam, Berlin and more.
These are just a few of the topics today, but you're going to have to hit play to learn more.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you’ll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Attention Patreon Subscribers, check back soon for nearly 20 minutes of Bonus Content!
Harvey Castro Links: * Studio369 Homepage * Facebook Page * "Studio369" Instagram * "Studio369_bnw" Instagram
Show Notes/Artists Mentioned: * StreetPX Lounge * Film Week 2017 * Steven Bollman "Almost True" Kickstarter <-- Highly Recommended * Miami Street Photography Festival * Joel Meyerowitz - Between the Dog and the Wolf - Howard Greenberg * Ben Ililli * Pete Rosos
CJ Lucero is a documentary photographer and this past June, you may remember him joining us as the surprise audience guest who sat in during StreetPX Live at Streetfoto. Without preparation or warning, he gave us an amazing, yet brief interview. Today, we bring him back to expand on his background, his work and discuss his amazing projects.
CJ was born in L.A., but not one to remain too long, he later moved to San Diego, joined the Marines, studied Archeology in Portland and now calls San Francisco home.
This one certainly leans toward the world of documentary, as we discuss his travels through middle America, the 1 million acre Winecup Gamble Ranch, visiting bars, meeting locals and capturing the soul of the changing Americana in our current age.
From there, we pivot to his work in Europe, volunteering and documenting refugees in Calais, Southern France. Sharing a gripping story of people with no nation to call home, the power of human curiosity, survival and togetherness over conversation and fantastic foods.
You don't want to miss this one! Tune in Today!
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you’ll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
CJ Lucero Links * Homepage * Instagram Profile * Small Town America Project + Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3 * Calais Refugee Camp
Show Links * International Refugee Assistance Project * IRAP Twitter Feed * Winecup Gamble Ranch
Artists Mentioned * James Nachtwey * Robert Mapplethorpe * Robert Frank * Eddie Adams * Wesaam al-Badry Episode 28 of SPX
Dave Christensen is the director of the esteemed Harvey Milk Photo Center in San Francisco. One of the largest darkrooms in the US and soon to celebrate it's 75th anniversary in operation.
Following an unfortunate stumble, where we missed our last scheduled show (hope you all enjoyed some reruns), we are now back with a fantastic episode.
With a solid heart and a true passion for the arts, Dave has transitioned HMPC from an already wonderful darkroom facility, into a prime San Francisco exhibit space, hosting up to 15 varied photographic events year around. You would be hard pressed to find a day when HMPC does not have an amazing exhibit on display in their ~1000sqft space. Servicing as host to not only our last event, "eXposed", but as the main venue for the Streetfoto International Street Photography Festival.
Hailing from Wisconsin, Dave started his career wielding a back-breaking Deardorff, specializing in commercial and fashion photography from Madison to Chicago to San Francisco. Through the years, he has worked with clients such as Spiegal, Marshal Fields and Levi Strauss, as well as well known models Kelly Lynch and Christy Turlington.
It's a wonderful life's story and an inspiration for creatives everywhere.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you’ll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Show Notes * Harvey Milk Photo Center * Gallery Lighting Project - donate to help bring better lighting to future exhibits
Artists Mentioned * Bruce Weber * Imogen Cunningham * Ruth Burnhard * Fred Lyon - Photo Book “Noir” * Jay Blakesberg + Dark+Light 40yr Retrospective - Nov 9 Opening Reception * Bruce Gilden * Judy Dater * Janet Delaney
Events to Watch Out For * Dark+Light 40yr Retrospective - Nov 9 Opening Reception * HMPC Annual Exhibit - Members, Staff and Volunteers - Aug 11 Opening Reception
Film Week Announced! September 18th - 24th * Including: Photo Walks, Film Centric Show and More
Today we have the wonderfully talented, Roza Vulf. An award winning street photographer, kind enough to spare some time, to call in to the show from her home in Rome, Italy.
Roza Vulf has an impressive track record of recognition in the world of street photography, including (but certainly not limited to) finalist in the Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, featured in NatGeo, The Guardian, Vague Italia... It's a laid back show, as Roza shares her beautiful memories of a childhood in Lithuania and her life in Italy today, a fondness for books and the camera, her exciting travels to New York City and San Francisco, an amazing Under Rome project and so much more.
So grab a drink and tuck in for a fun show.
This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco - Get your analog gear, film, repairs and more at 442 Haight Street from now till the end of the month. Starting August 1st, you'll find them at their new location at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.
Roza Vulf Instagram Feed [wdi_feed id="28"]
Artist Links * RozaVulf.com * Instagram Feed * NatGeo Profile
Show Links and Artists * Strand Book Store * Mike Lee * Melissa Breyer * Cindy Sherman * Julia Margaret Cameron Awards * Vivian Maier Exhibit - KP Gallery (LA) * Vivian Maier Exhibit - Granary Gallery (MA) * Vivian Maier Exhibit - Palazzo-Ducale (Italy)
📷 ⏰ Save the date: Saturday July 22 7-10pm at Book & Job Gallery. Pop-up exhibit with new candid photographs on view. Prints priced to sell.
Christopher Rusanowsky joins us from the comfort of his home in Los Angeles, California. We're getting back to photojournalism and documentary photography, as we discuss his assignments in the streets of Manila, Philippines, LA, the oil fields of North Dakota and much more.
Among many topics, we also focus on two of his completed projects. The first, a two part series (Population & Poverty / The Mamali), is a photographic exploration of life in the fishing villages of the Philippines, and the dangerous and dire environments of the lower class of Manila...a life of poverty that grips nearly a quarter of the population.
The second, a personal and very unique point of view of the oil fields of North Dakota [Bakken Rock Formation]. Spending two years working and photographing from within a community of workers who came together to complete a goal and protect one another from the ever present threat of isolation, failing equipment, sleep deprivation and grueling labor. All before the jobs dried up and the national spotlight landed.
Join us today, as we open up these fascinating stories and go beyond the images to learn more about today's special guest photographer, Christopher Rusanowsky!
This episode brought to you by, Glass Key Photo... Soon to be located at 1230 Sutter Street in midtown, San Francisco (Projected for early to mid August). Until then, 442 Haight Street, SF is where you should go. Whether its a new analog camera, film or developing chemicals and supplies, Glass Key Photo has what you need. Bay area film shooters.. Shop Local! Visitors, don't miss out on a San Francisco staple.
Artist Links * Christopher Rusanowsky Homepage * Instagram * Twitter
Projects Mentioned * Oil Boom Boys * Population & Poverty * The Mamali
Show Notes * Shooting From the Hip - a book by Scott Strazzante * Oil Boom Boys / Intersection Journal * Thomas Tham / Little Warriors in Manila, Philippines * Tim Hetherington - Magnum Photographer * Cengiz Yar Jr. - Pulitzer Nominee Photographer * The Sprawl / News Podcast
Be sure to check out our previous episode, with Rammy Narula.
After an awesome first go at recording in front of a Live Studio Audience at Streetfoto, we're getting back into the interview groove, as we sit down with Bangkok Street Photographer, Rammy Narula.
If this name does not yet ring a bell, then you have to listen to this episode immediately. Rammy's talent is a unique blend of dedication and a style akin to sitting down to watch a theatrical blockbuster in slow motion. His way of capturing light to create the most vivid and inspiring slivers of time, are truly inspiring and today he lays out the process in creating his work and publishing his recent project, "Platform 10". A collection of images, freezing the history of one of the numerous platforms that "are", or rather, soon to be, "was" a part of life for many in the area.
Spinning off Platform 10, we dive into his experience capturing his neighborhood in the rapidly changing landscape of Bangkok, where history is being lost to mass demolition. An unfortunate side effect of urbanization in the modern world.
We have a ton to go over and just over an hour to do it... So let's welcome Rammy Narula, as he connects from 14 hours in the future and (at the time of recording) calmly awaiting a call, announcing he'll soon be a new dad.
From all of us at StreetPX.... Congrats on your new son. Happy Father's Day to you... and to all the dads out there!... and single moms, too!
Rammy Narula Link * Rammy Narula Home Page * Flickr * Platform 10
Show Links * Hardcore Street Photography Group on Flickr * Street Photo Thailand * APF Magazine
Some of the Artists Mentioned * Wes Anderson * Tavepong * Quentin Tarantino * Torsten Hendricks * David Carol * Peanut Press
This episode is brought to you by Glass Key Photo. San Francisco's premier film photography store. Visit when your in town, get some film, repair your old film camera or get a new one... They have it all. Learn more at www.glasskeyphoto.com.
For the first time in our show's history, we dive head first into a live studio recording our StreetPX at the Streetfoto Festival.... in front a real life audience. Seriously, we're talking a room of actual people.
Organizer, Ken Walton of the Streetfoto International Street Photography Festival was kind enough to honor our team with a full 2 hour time slot at this year's fantastic week long event in San Francisco, CA. If you've been living under a rock these last few months, let me simply say, Streetfoto is slowly becoming the West Coast standard for what an International Street Photography Festival should be. Offering lectures (featuring the legendary Bruce Gilden), portfolio reviews, workshops, critique sessions, live shows, photo walks, new mobile application and advanced camera technology demonstrations, photography exhibits and a above all, a community of like minded individuals gathering together from far and wide, for a full week of appreciation in the craft of Street Photography.
On this episode, we welcome back Rinzi Ruiz, LA's premier street photographer and previous guest of our show. This time, we get to sit down with him in person and expand upon some previous topics and his recent travels abroad.
Additionally, with this special format, we had the unique opportunity to do something very special and randomly select one of this year's contest finalists from the crowd and have them sit in with us and share their story.
It was an absolute blast and above all, a HUGE thanks to our audience of 60+ throughout the night. You all kept our blood flowing and offered us the greatest achievement we could ask for... damn near filling a room on the very same day as the Golden State Warriors attempt to complete a historic championship win.
For such an event here in the Bay, that is without a doubt a badge of honor and we thank you again for your help in that honor.
Another big thanks to the Harvey Milk Photo Center and Director Dave Christensen for opening your doors to us and to the HMPC team for making sure the room was set up for us.
If you did not make it, fear not... we have caught the Live Audience bug and will certainly be doing this again... and soon!
Tune in today!
Live Video Recording
Show Links:
- Rinzi Ruiz
- CJ Lucero
- Streetfoto Festival
- Harvey Milk Photo Center
- Photoworks San Francisco
- SF Camerwork
We are going with a bite-sized episode today, as we quickly drop in on friend and former guest, Ken Walton, to discuss the happenings and logistics of Streetfoto 2017.
Streetfoto, is an International Street Photography Festival, located here in the heart of San Francisco, CA and running from June 5th - June 11th. We've been wanting to get those specific details out there and we had the chance to steal a few moments from Ken to quickly go over the who, what, when, where and how of this great event.
Click for Festival Information
I know, I know... it's not a full interview this week... However, we plan to make up for that, by offering a double episode next week. As we sit down for our first ever LIVE Audience Recording of StreetPX... Oh, and we want you to be in our Peanut Gallery!
Location: Harvey Milk Photo Center, 50 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA
Recording Start Date/Time: June 9th @ 4PM - 6:30PM (Doors close at 4PM and do not open back up until 5pm)
Our opening show, will go for about an hour, talking with previous guest and phenomenal LA street photographer, Rinzi Ruiz... as well as two additional surprise guests. Hell, we may just randomly pull someone from the crowd and that person might just be YOU! This is what happens when we're given any kind of power... We wield it haphazardly.
Following our initial recording, we will pick back up around 5pmPM and transition into a new show, with a full panel from the iN-PUBLiC collective, including such names as Blake Andrews, Jesse Marlow, Aaron Berger, and newly inducted member and Bay Area local, Troy Holden.
All of this can be enjoyed Live, by registering below and visiting the Harvey Milk Photo Center... or, if you can't make it to the Bay area and want to enjoy from home, we will be offering a LIVE video stream online as well. More info on that to come.
Please know, you will not be required to present any tickets at the door. Admission is free, registration is voluntary and merely to help us get an idea of how many will be in attendance. Feel free to bring a friend. We should have plenty of space!
You do not want to miss this one. I know we say that often, but this is going to be something special.... So listen in, learn more about Streetfoto SF and we'll see you, in June!
StreetPX is tapping into both sides of the brain today, as Adobe Lightroom Product Manager and travel photographer, Josh Haftel, stops by the SPX studios to discuss his work, share insights into the workings of the Adobe machine, as well as a guided story on his 2 year walk-about through Myanmar, Cambodia and other wonderfully beautiful and remote locales.
Josh is a creative to the bones, with many stories to share... So tune in today and give those brain cells a jolt.
Oh and we want to remind all our listeners that our first ever SPX Live Audience Show is coming up quick - June 9th. So if your in the Bay area for Streetfoto this year, do not forget to register and join in our Peanut Gallery. Register Here! Tickets are FREE!
NOTE: We had some internet issues during this one, so the audio may not be the best it can be and we apologize for the echoey sound with Josh... It's not too bad, we're just perfectionists....
Josh Haftel Links: * Homepage/Portfolio * Instagram
Show Links: * Nick Brandt * RAW Street Photo Gallery * Urban Street Diving + Exhibit Information * Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing * Streetfoto San Francisco Festival
This episode proudly brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco. Your one-stop-shop for all things analog photography. Is your camera on it's last leg? Bring it in for a repair... Looking for film for your 35mm or medium format? They got it!... Additionally, if your in the San Francisco area on the last Sunday of any month, don't miss their Instant Camera Photo Walks. A great place to connect with other instant film shooters (Polaroid, Instax, etc...) and share tips and inspiration. You can find out more information by visiting their Facebook Event Page Here.
Mike Kirschner began his creative path photographing the iconic musical artists' of San Francisco's psychedelic rock scene. From the mid-80s and the late-90s, he experienced the thrill of documenting such legends as Quick Silver Messenger Service, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and more.
Eventually, Mike discovered the thrill of street photography and later, took the reigns of the San Francisco Street Photography Group on Facebook. Since 2013, he has managed to grow its ranks to nearly 4000 members, establishing a thriving and robust community of talented photographers, including our very own SPX team... and during this past winter, he was instrumental in bringing to life the group's first high profile exhibition, title "eXposed", at the Harvey Milk Photo Center.
Tune in today and enjoy this fantastic conversation with our good friend, Mike Kirschner!
FEEDBACK FUN: This show was a blast and full of laughs. If you have any questions or would like to send us any feedback (we LOVE feedback), then email us at contact@feedback.com, or visit our Contact Page for a quick share.
SPONSOR SHOUT: This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo. San Francisco's go-to store for all things film. Ranging from cameras and repairs, 35mm, medium format, developing and printing supplies, photo paper and much more. If it's analog photography you want, Glass Key has what you need. Much thanks to Gordon and Matt over in Haight Street. Help us help them with a visit to their shop at "442 Haight Street, SF" the next time you visit the area.
FEED THE CREW: If you're digging our show and would like to help fund our little endeavor here, head over to Patreon Support and throw us a few bucks each month. Think of it as a voluntary subscription with great perks; like bonus content, SPX theme song ringtone, even a free t-shirt for the upper tier contributors. Above all, every penny we receive goes to maintaining and upgrading our studio, keeping our hosting subscriptions live, excuses for our family when we disappear for hours at a time and much more.
Featured at eXposed and Shutterspeed "Make Phil Sing!"
Mike Kirschner Links * Mike Kirschner Street Photography * Mike Kirschner Music Photography * Frankenstein Pentax * "Long Strange Trip" - Martin Scorsese Documentary + Movie Trailer + Premiers on Amazon Prime June 2, 2017 - 6 Part Series * San Francisco Street Photography Group
Artists Mentioned: * Grateful Dead + Jerry Garcia + Phil Lesh * Country Joe and the Fish + Barry Melton * Quick Silver Messenger Service + John Cipollina * Big Brother and the Holding Company + Janis Joplin * Captain Beefheart * Dorothea Lange * Rian Dundon + Out Here vol.2 Zine * Roza Vulf
Events * Dorothea Lange - Politics of Seeing Exhibit (Oakland, CA) * Beale Street Music Festival (Memphis TN) * Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco)
Today on StreetPX, we have a full house, as Visual Artist Jean-Benoit Levy, Matthew Gerring from StreetSheet and TJ Johnston from the Coalition on Homelessness (also a writer for StreetSheet).
We're starting out with a little walk down the storied life of visual artist, Jean-Benoit Levy, as he shares his experience growing up in a creative household in Switzerland, hosting family friends such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Sebastião Salgado and his path to graphic design and an appreciation for photography.
Directly, we shift to the topic of homeless people, homelessness, and how the subject relates to Street Photography. We felt this is far to often debated, but more often without the right people involved in the conversation. So today StreetPX aims to change this with a head-on discussion with representatives from the very successful, Street Sheet. A publication dedicated to helping homeless people throughout in the Bay Area.
Notable Fact:
The San Francisco homeless population is conservatively estimated to be between 7,000-10,000, including enough children to fill 35 transit buses. Many of who attend school every day, and return to the street or the limited bay area shelters available at night. Of which, please keep in mind, for every 5 homeless people in San Francisco, there is but one bed available. Meaning, there is only enough space to shelter 20% of the total population on the streets today..
We dive into these realities of what homelessness truly means. The misconceptions of who is homeless. The relationship of HUD funding and homelessness and so much more. What the Street Sheet does for the community and what these guys, like Jean-Benoit Levy do to bring this publication to the public.
This is a very content heavy episode, wonderfully long, perfect for your morning and afternoon commute. Also, if that's not enough, then tonight you can enjoy the additional 30+ minutes of bonus content we are making available to all our listeners for this episode only. (See at the bottom of the post)
If you want access to more bonus content... more of that "StreetPX After Hours"... please visit our Patreon Contributor Page and toss us a few bucks a month to help us keep this wonderful show going.
This Episode Brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco, CA!!!
Jean-Benoit Levy Links * Video - Typography class at SJSU * YouTube Video * Camera Magazine * The Handbook * The Poster Book
Show Links * StreetSheet.org * StreetSheet@cohsf.org (email submissions here) * Coalition on Homelessness
Artists Mentioned * Dennis Letbetter + EyeMag * Allan Porter * Mike Reger - Mission Comics * Art Hazelwood
Photographers Currently Published in the StreetSheet * Daniel Furon * Travis Jensen * Barbara Traub * Hans Mauli * Najib Joe Hakim * Brad Evans * Lee Friedman * Yon Sim * Léonore Baud * Dennis Letbetter * Hiroyo Kaneko * Holger Struppek * Daniel Nicoletta * François Robert * Spencer Brown * Antonio Lobo * Maren Caruso * Phillip Sager * S. Smith Patrick * Jean-Blaise Hall * Rudi Vanderlans * Pierre Chatel * Sam Wolson * Lukas Felzmann * Morteza Majidi * Carmina Eliason * Jeff Blankfort * Jim Watkins * Thomas Kern * Ken Walton * Max Kellenberger * David Clarkson * Mike Kirchner * Adriano Biondo * RE Casper * Saul & Sandra * Jean-Pierre Grandjean * Aaron Draper * Hengli Lee * Jean-Benoit Levy * Jeff Spirer * Daniel Leu * Skot Jonz * Christan Heeb * Raoul Ollman * Dwayne Newton * Michael Kenna * Jaya Bhat
Documentarian and professor, Pedro Lange Churión, joins StreetPX today to discuss his craft, his inspirations and his large-format photography project, "May My Flesh Sleep in You", focusing on the Stolen Children crisis in Spain.
A deeply academic creative, through the University of San Francisco, Pedro teaches courses in Latin American Literature and Culture, Film Studies, Urban Studies, Photography, Comparative Literature and Critical Theory with an emphasis on Psychoanalytic Critical Theory. Yeah, some heavy stuff dropped in there at the end, and we get into some of this on today's episode? Many of these courses can be found here.
As a visual artist, he has written and directed award winning films, including Crocodile (USA, 2000) and Visitas (Colombia, 2005), as well as various dedicated documentaries, and experimental videos for The Urban Unseen.
Currently, Pedro is working on a large-format photography project, focused on the victims and the activists of the Stolen Children crisis in Spain.
"May My Flesh Sleep in You" is a project intent on bringing attention to the atrocities of the mid 20th century eugenics practiced during the Francisco Franco dictatorship. The actions of which, resulted in the disappearances of an estimate 250,000 newborns of parents, deemed as "undesirables" by the acting regime. A very powerful topic that goes highly under reported.
Idleness, in the bourgeois society that knows no leisure, is the precondition for artistic production -- Walter Benjamin
Tune in today and learn more about the amazing artist, Pedro Lange Churión.
Have questions, or simply want to send us some feedback? Hit us up at contact@streetpx.com or drop us a review on iTunes.
Today's episode, brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco. The go to place for all your analog photography needs. Whether your looking for chemistry, photo paper, legacy lenses, film old and new, film cameras or even root beer... they got it. If not, they can probably find it. If your in the Bay area visiting Haight Street, do not leave without visiting Glass Key Photo at 442 Haight Street. Bring your Dog!
VIEW: Pedro Lange Churión Gallery
Show Notes: Pedro Lange Churión Links * USF Profile Page * Stay tuned... More "May My Flesh on his project coming soon!
Projects * Urban Unseen on Flickr * Videos
Plugs: * Mill Valley Reverence Exhibit * Strazzante: Shooting From the Hip * Streetfoto Live Show - Friday June 9 @ 4PM + Reserve Ticket Here
Sponsor: * Glass Key Photo * Workshop - Joe Aguirre
Books: * Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography * Latin America and Postmodernity: A Contemporary Reader
RE Casper Workshops
We have a great discussion for you today, as Mike Lee, steps into StreetPX studio+ to share his story, his process, trade some shop talk and much more.
Growing up across the US and eventually settling in New York City, Mike Lee made it his home and carved out a great space for himself. Bridging many artistic outlets including, but not limited to fiction writing, photography, editorial journalism and a deep passion for working with and protecting the labor unions.
Mike Lee is also the managing editor of the Trade Union Paper, Public Employee Press and while he may be a local to NYC these days, if your in California, you can find his work in the Art Thou Gallery in Berkeley, CA. A seasonally revolving exhibit, that will be on display until September of this year (2017).
If your a reader, then we definitely suggest checking out his writing, throughout the Ampersand Review, Reservoir, Paraphilia Magazine, The Potomac/Counting, The Potomac/A Daunting Exercise, Dime Store Review and many many more.
Tune in today... and we'd also love to hear your feedback on, so after you click that big orange button up there, be sure to email our team at contact@streetpx.com.
Mike Lee Links * Mike Lee Homepage * Flickr Gallery * Vogue Italia Portfolio
Writing: * The Invisible Mirror eBook * http://reservoirlit.com/lee1 * http://www.solidagojournal.com/publications/ * http://www.corridorelephant.com/niepcebook-n-04
Other Notes * Art Thou Gallery - Berkeley Exhibit * Streetfoto
Artists Mentioned: * Saul Leiter * Vivian Maier * Alexander Rodchenko * Helmut Newton * Robert Frank * Edward Hopper * Walker Evans * Lee Miller * Man Ray * Harry Wilson * Joe Conzo Jr.
Dialing in from Taipei, Taiwan and 16 hours into the future, we have TC Lin in the studio to drop a great discussion on the crew.
TC Lin is a name that should ring many bells for our listeners and if not, its time to change that. TC is a man of many creative pursuits; including street photographer, musician, film maker, documentarian, educator and we travel down many of these paths in this episode of StreetPX.
Listen his story to becoming a citizen of Taiwan and subsequent time in the military, his early days of moderating the Hard Core Street Photography group on Flickr and from this, the formation of the the Burn My Eye collective. A very well regarded group of photographers, comprised of shooters at the top of their game.
Also, be sure to hold out till the second half, as he shares an amazing experience documenting the Sunflower Student Movement of 2014. An egregiously underreported protest occupation of the National Parliament Building, by the students in Taiwan... which admittedly leads us down some politically charged discussions a time or two in this one... so we hope you don't hold that against us.
That said, we're sure there is plenty of content in this episode to fill your day... So, scroll on up and hit that "Play" button.
If you would like to share your thoughts with us, any questions for our hosts or for TC Lin, please direct an email to feedback@streetpx.com.
Interested in helping TC publish his Sunflower Student Movement project? - Please direct your email to poagao@gmail.com -
TC Lin Links * Homepage * Flickr * Twitter * Interested in helping publish the Sunflower Student Movement? + Contact TC at poagao@gmail.com
Show Notes: * Counting Mantou * Book: Barbarian at the Gate * Burn My Eye Collective * Hard Core Street Photography - Flickr Group * Muddy Basin Ramblers < Required Listen!!! * Gutsy Island - Taiwan Street Photography Flickr Group * Paul Graham - Unreasonable Apple
Plugs: * Danny Lyon Exhibit - SF * Weegee Exhibit - NYC * Street Photo Daily 7PMGMT
Some of the Artists Mentioned in today's show: * Rammy Narula * Zun Lee * Aaron Aardvark * Garry Winogrand * Tod Papageorge * Tyler Simpson * Gueorgui Pinkhassov * Daido Moriyama * Jason Penner * William Eggleston * Richard Bram
Born in LA, but a Bay area man for the last 20+ years, Neil Geller is an artist hungry for inspiration and knowledge.
While "people watching" seeped into his veins early on, professional culinary arts filled his life for over two decades. In the last few years however, his work brought him full circle as he began conducting his own food photography. Over time, this rekindled passion coupled with his interest in observing the human condition and a street photographer emerged.
Even though it took him awhile to come back around to photography, we won't hold that against him. We originally meet Neil during last years Streetfoto festival in San Francisco and subsequent local gallery events since. Most recently, he was one of our finalists for the San Francisco Street Photography Groups premier street photography exhibit "eXposed"
Today, we're barreling through a number of topics, ranging from his continued interest in workshops to better his craft, to his background series project using murals as elements in a scene, our favorite routes in the city and so much more.
Check out some of his work below and let us know your thoughts, with a review over on iTunes or iHeartRadio.
Show Links: * Neil Geller Website * Neil Geller on Flickr * Neil Geller on Instagram
It's a laid back episode today, as Casper and Jim catch up on some photographic shop talk. We're discussing the recent Womens March, the Oakland election protests and much more.
Best of all, we have a major announcement regarding our show and the upcoming Streetfoto Festival.
Can you say, Live Studio Audience? That's right! Come this June, we'll be recording a live show in front of real people. Yeah, that's going to be wild and if you're in the San Francisco bay around that time, we'd love for you to join us!
We'll drop more bits of information about this along the way. So stay tuned in.
Roxanne Overton is a photographer, writer, speaker and educator and we are proud to have her in the studio for this weeks edition of StreetPX.
An artist with roots in traditional media such as paints, pottery, stained glass and more, Roxanne got her start in photography with a kindly gifted camera and a natural curiosity for double exposures and black and white film.
Today we're pulling Roxanne out from behind the camera, so she can describe her whimsical and truly unique photographic style, why the camera is her tool of choice, as well as her visual essays from Morocco, Burma and Paris, among others beautiful destinations. We even find ourselves rambling back down the path of self critiques, technical discussion on Lightroom and Photoshop and best of all, the importance of looking beyond the photo and discovering a personal vision. :-)
Oh, and please forgive us for some odd peanut gallery noises... The dog and the birds got a bit rambunctious and apparently we had some increased magnetism with Roxanne Overton in the studio, which added a bit of background buzzzzz early on... But hey, it all adds to the character of the show... Right!?
Anyway, it's time to quit reading and click Play... This is StreetPX and the street, awaits...
Roxanne Overton Links * Homepage * Flickr * Instagram
Roxanne Overton Books * Critique - A Path To Creating Exceptional Photography * Think Before You Shoot * 100 Words with guest writer, Sam Stapleton
Events Mentioned: * Henri Cartier Brasson Exhibit - Leica Store SF * Eyes on the Street Workshop with RE Casper * The 36 Photo Walk - San Francisco - April 23, 2017 (not mentioned in Podcast - hosted by Roxanne) * NYC Street Workshop with Vineet Vohra and Adam Marelli
Have you still not hit that play button? That's cool, while you consider it, be sure to check out our new merchandise in the SPX Merch Store. We have tons of great cameras, fun photographic Tees and guess what... If you don't see your favorite camera in the store, then Let Us Know. We'll cook something up and toss it up on the store for you to buy, receive and show your love for the show!
Oh, and we have bonus content on this episode (see below), but you can only get it with a small Patreon commitment. If you don't get enough talk here, be sure to fund our little operation here with a couple bucks to help us keep the mics hot and the lights on.
Now, scroll back up and hit play already!
Sacramento photographer and friend of birds, Steve Abbott joins the SPX team for a chill talk about his artistic path to the camera, his love of film, birds and Richard Avedon.
The man has a way of capturing the true life of a scene and the work must be seen. Check out his feed below. Also, the day was bound to come... yes, I'm referring to gear talk and admittedly, we geek out on some sweet film gear during this one. But it's healthy, as we lust over Steve's Koni-Omerga and the importance of lucky thrift shop finds.
Don't forget to check out the new Photographic Lines series available in the StreetPX Merchandise Store. We have over two dozen intricately (for 30 minutes) designed cameras and photography related t-shirts available. Show some love for the show and your favorite camera. If we don't have it, let us know by emailing us at feedback@streetpx.com. We also love feedback in general, so hit us up anyway.
Tune on in and take a trip down the life's path of Steve Abbott.
Steve's beautiful Koni-Omega Rapid Steve's Links: * Instagram * Tumblr Feed
Show Links: * Action Camera Roseville, NH * Tori Lee * Richard Avedon * Tim Engle + Click Monkeys Photo Group - Citrus Heights, CA * Looking Glass Photo in Berkeley
Some of our listeners may know Todd Bischoff, the photographer. A wonderful artist, featured in a number of exhibits through the years and recently one of the finalists of the juried San Francisco Street Photography exhibit, "eXposed".
Here at StreetPX, we were obviously interested in the "street photographer" Todd Bischoff; a man who has a way of capturing a wonderful sense of energy in his photos, showing subjects simply bursting with life. It's an approach that offers a very fascinating window into American life.
But there is much more to his story that must be shared. Originally diving into photography during the mid 90's as an undergraduate at Texas Tech. An extensive background working in fine arts (particularly sculpture art). A career in graphic design and these days getting a daily dose of camera practice, while chasing his new addition to the family.
Additionally, over the years, he's been able to combine his photography with his cycling. And through the fusion of these two passions, he's been able to expand his portfolio beyond just the street, with what we'd like to call "exploration photography". Something you simply need to see at his webpage, Hinterland Arts.
There is a ton of content to pour though here. So ahead and hit play and learn more about today's special guest, Todd Bischoff.
Links: * Hinterland Arts * Flickr
Show Links: * Story Corps - NPR
Artist Mentioned: * Daido Moriyama * TC Lin
We're going international again today with London based photographer and BBC writer, Stephen Leslie.
In his own words, Stephen Leslie, "started out as a film maker, who became a writer, whose also a photographer".
Through this process, over the years he has acquired a substantial archive , to which he is now doing something truly inspiring. Using his gift for writing (our words, not his) and applying a sense of imagination to the visual stories he creates with his camera, he is putting together a very fascinating book called Sparks. Within, he aims to compile a series tall tales and in some cases, based in reality, using his own imagery as a visual foundation.
Stephen Leslie: "...Thinking in Suggestive moments... I want to come back with a photo to lead me... to think about what else is going on... or could be going on with that photograph."
It was a blast to have him in the studio, talking about his upcoming book, his process, photography in relation to cinema, shooting street with medium format and so much more.
Tune in today to this very fun episode with Stephen Leslie.
Featured Photo related to On-Air story read Photo by Stephen Leslie
Stephen Leslie Links * Stephen Leslie Homepage/Portfolio * Instagram - @steph_hen_les_lie * Flickr
Show Notes * Sparks Book Co-Founder "Unbound" * London Street Photography Symposium
Artists Mentioned * Jason Reed + Observe Collective * Nick Turpin + In Public * Ken Walton * Joel Sternfield * Ernst Hast
Documentary photographer Wesaam Al-Badry, is the very embodiment of an artist harnessing his childhood struggle to create amazingly inspiring work.
In the wake of the Gulf War, a strong Iraqi woman took her 5 children under wing and fled her war torn home in Nasiriyah. One of those children was Wesaam and for context of this struggle, the youngest, a sister, was barely over a week at the time. In the four years spent in a Saudi Arabia refugee camp, he developed his early passion for photography, clicking away at a camera acquire by trade, but no film to speak of.
It was this passion that remained with him, like his camera... and over the years, he's put in photographic work from CNN to Al Jazeera America, Contact Photo Agency, covering social and environmental issues from the Mississippi Delta to the Pipeline protests in Rosebud, ND and so much more.
Trust us, Wesaam Al-Badry is all about full investment in his vision and there is far more to be reference than can be typed here...But why would we, StreetPX is about the interview, not the summary, so we think it best to have you click play.
Don't miss out on the new StreetPX Merchandise Store. With 24 designs, there's a lot of awesomeness just waiting to be tossed over your head, down your torso and two side holes for your arms to poke through. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, these are T-shirts. Bad ass T-shirts to show some photographic love.
Footnote: Editing this episode to even the current 100 minutes was heart breaking. If you can't get enough, then we suggest becoming one of our Patreon contributors and damn near 30 minutes of additional discussion. These "after-hours" conversations get a bit more "poli-focused", so you have been warned. ;-)
Wesaam Al-Badry Links * Wesaam Al-Badry Homepage * Instagram
Show Links * SF Camera Work - Event June/July 2017 * San Francisco Art Institute * Fazal Sheikh * Photo Alliance SF * Contact Press Images
Admittedly, Photojournalism Has Taken Over StreetPX this Month Today, we have veteran of the craft and retired San Francisco Firefighter, Dwayne Newton, weaving some striking tales of action all around the world. From photographing the Tamil Tigers and dodging landmines in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, to documenting Contra Camps and politicians during the 1986 Peace Agreement in Esquipulas, Guatemala.
Battle forged, Dwayne Newton has also covered Green Peace activity aboard the Rainbow Warrior during an interruption with the US Naval Sonic testing, being ambushed on the way to El Salvador and much more.
This episode is full of content you don't want to miss.
Also, please join us in this years Secret Print Exchange. More information can be found here.
Click play and listen to the stories of Dwayne Newton.
Photos of Note: Dwayne's Links: * Homepage/Gallery * Instagram
Items of Note: * Art of Fire 2nd Exhibit - Terra Gallery * 7 Laws of Money - Michael Phillips * Firefighter Cancer Foundation * CNN under fire video
Some of the Artists Mentioned: * Jay Blakesberg * Jeff Greenwald * Kevin McKiernan * Richard Cross * Daniel Pearl * Robert Capa * Larry Burrows * Sean Flynn
Steve Bollman is a photographer with nerves of steel and today, we've pulled him into the studio for what proved to be one hell of a heavy discussion.
StreetPX is all about raw stories and today we are gifted with some powerful accounts. Including a very tense experience facing gun fire in a Haitian conflict zone following the ouster of Baby Doc, running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, a trip with some familiar names to Cuba and much more.
Steve has been featured in Aperture magazine, US News, World Report and many more.
We deem this episode "Required Listening" and we f*cking mean it.
Tune in Today!
Steve Bollman Links * Homepage * Flickr * Instagram * Facebook Page
Show Links * Projects Discussed + 80's Haiti following Baby Doc's removal - Caution: Photos are powerfully graphic. + Tauromaquia * Movies Mentioned
+ Salvador
+ Killing Fields
Artists Mentioned * Nima Taradji * Lauren Welles * Ernesto Bazan * James Nachtwey * Susan Meiselas * Eugene Richards * Brian Sokolowski * Jim Mortram * Jessica Eve Rattner * David Carol (Peanut Press) * Jason Eskenazi - Projects: Dog Food / Wonderland
eXposed Exhibit * Exhibit Finalists * Our Thanks to the Judges: + Dave Christensen, Dwayne Newton, Grant Rusk, Gordon Szeto, Matt Osborne, Jennifer McFarland, Roxanne Worthington
Believe it or not, it's been a full year since we kicked off StreetPX and what a year it has been. We talked with esteemed documentary photographers, pulitzer prize winning journalists, phenomenal educators, founders of some of the largest street photography communities online and festivals around the world, inspiring street photographers and even still, we've yet to put a dent in the list of guests we have to come.
We could not be prouder and that pride is without question, a direct result of you good folks out there lending us your ear. For this, we thank you all.
That said, enough with the sentimental talk, it's time to announce our next masterful light chaser and fellow Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan, Rinzi Ruiz. One of LA's finest street photographers and this week, he's connecting with us on StreetPX.
Through the years, Rinzi has walked the streets of LA, developing his own unique style of high contrast street photography. Through his use of light, shadow and well framed geometry, it's work like this that can truly push you to get up off the couch and hit the street.
To learn more about the artist, Rinzi Ruiz, we discuss the photographers he admires, educators that helped mold his technique and it wouldn't be a proper StreetPX show without tangential banter.
This is StreetPX, One Year strong... and as always... the street awaits.
Rinzi Ruiz Links * Homepage * Flickr * Workshops * Art of Observation - Blog Post
Artists' Mentioned * Eric Kim * Frank Jackson * Ray K Metzkar * Elliot Erwitt * Matt Stuart * Fred Herzog
Additional Show Notes * Sartorialist * Phases and Faces of Affordable Housing in LA Exhibit
Photo books: * Saul Leiter - Early Color * Diado Moriyama - The World Through My Eyes * The Americans
This past September, Dani Oshi briefly visited our studio to announce the Brussels Street Photography Festival. During that episode, we promised to bring him back to learn more about who he is and what it is that drives Dani Oshi into the streets each day.
That time has come and he was kind enough to rejoin us this week for a full session discussion. We talk about his projects past and future, the artists' who inspire him, his work in flash photography aimed at highlighting the ordinary, working with the WorldSP group on Tumblr (well over 30,000 followers to date) and so much more.
Also, if your in the San Francisco area this October or December, mark your calendars for two phenomenal exhibitions at the Harvey Milk Photo Center...
- eXposure (San Francisco Street Photography Group): 12/8/2016 - 1/22/2017
- Harvey Milk Photo Center Annual Members, Staff & Volunteers: 10/20/2016-11/30/2016
Now, stop reading and just hit play!
Dani Oshi Links: * Dani Oshi Website * Dani Oshi Tumblr
Show Notes: * Faces & Photography Project Page * WorldSP.co * Brussels Street Photography Festival * Center for Literature & Photography + Oct 9, 2015 Dani Oshi Feature
Photo books Mentioned: * Mark Cohen - Dark Knees * Alex Webb - Suffering of Light
Artist's Mention: * Mark Cohen * Alex Webb * Shane Phillips * Jakub Jasionek * Chris Suspect * Stelios Efstathopoulos * Boris the Flash * Tavepong Pratoomwong * Troy Holden * Ken Walton * Shane Phillips
This week we have the delightful Marie Laigneau, photographer and social media juggernaut, joining us in the StreetPX studio for some great shop talk.
Marie shares a bit about her editing process, creating tension for engaging street photography, as well as her work with Out of Chicago and the upcoming Out of New York convention this October and much more. We even get into a fun discussion about our love of cinema and the critical role it can play in our street photography. Certainly a helpful place for photographers to fish for inspiration.
Now this episode wasn't without some special behind-the-curtain issues, as technology got a bit mean, requiring the need for a wizard's wand to resolve some garbled audio troubles, which we were able to get rid of most (apologies for some that had to remain) not to mention a stomach turning moment where Casper left his laptop on the plane while flying to New York this week. So, this delay was brought to you by none other than Casper's absent-mindedness.
I guess what we are saying is, this episode holds a special place in our hearts.
This is StreetPX and the street, awaits...
Marie Laigneau's Links: * Marie's website * Flickr Page * Instagram * Creating Impact - Free eBook
Show Notes: * Out of New York 2016
Street photographer and Co-Founder of the Brussels Street Photography Festival, Dani Oshi, visits StreetPX to discuss the many facets of this wonderful event, coming to Belgium on Oct. 28th.
This year's inaugural event offers numerous contests, exhibitions, Magnum Photographer hosted workshops & presentations, portfolio reviews and much more. Options that will satisfy the needs of street shooters and aficionados alike.
If your are traveling abroad or hailing from Belgium, check out our show and do add Brussels to your itinerary this fall. The Brussels Street Photography Festival is not to be missed.
Event Dates: October 26- November 2
Interested in entering the many contests? Please know, the deadline is September 15. Submit today!
From BSPFestival.org:
"The Brussels Street Photography Festival (BSPF) is a cultural project whose objective is to promote street photography as an urban research tool, a form of cultural communication and a visual art. The main ambition of the BSPF is to delve deeper into those visual elements that define the contemporary identity of Brussels in two dimensions, from a local and a global perspective."
This won't be the last time you hear from Dani Oshi. He'll be back in the studio very soon, sharing his stories in the world of street photography.
Tune in Today!
Show Links: * BSPF Co-Founders: + Dani Oshi + Sedaile Mejias + Diego Luna * Brussels Newsroom * Main BSPF Website + Workshops - 5-day Magnum Photos Workshops: with Harry Gruyaert and Bieke Depoorter - The Art of Storytelling Workshop: with APF founders Vineet Vohra and Rohit Vohra + Street Photography Contests * BSPF on Facebook * BSPF on Twitter * BSPF on Instagram * World.sp
CONTEST JUDGES * David Gibson - London, UK * Jens Olof Lasthein - Stockholm, Sweden * Otto Snoek - Rotterdam, Netherlands * Tomasz Lazar - Szczecin, Poland * Paul Russell - Wymouth, UK * Gaël Turine - Brussels, Belgium * Cédric Gerbehaye - Brussels, Belgium * Satoru Toma - Brussels, Belgium * Philippe Herbet -Brussels, Belgium
CURATORS * Jakub Jasionek - Munich, Germany
- Dani Oshi - Brussels, Belgium
- Chris Suspect - Washington D.C. US
- Rohit Vohra - New Delhi, India
- Vineet Vohra - New Delhi, India
- Kristin Van Den Eede - Ghent, Belgium
- Kristof Vande Velde - Ghent, Belgium
Valerie Jardin has become a household name in street photography. An avid street photographer, tireless educator, world traveler and host of Street Focus on the TWiP network... and today, she is all ours.
As an educator with so much knowledge to share, she regularly contributes to Digital Photography School, Lynda.com and even hosts workshops around the world... Which sell out as fast as she can plan them. So much so, she is currently booked until 2018. That's no typo...
This past June, while during the "Out of Chicago" conference, our crew had the pleasure of attending a thought provoking seminar by the wonderful Valerie Jardin. We even had some time outside the conference to get to know her a bit more. Needless to say, we've been looking forward to Valerie joining us in the StreetPX studio and that day has finally come.
There is so much we wanted to speak to her about and as usual, we didn't go down all the roads we desired... but it won't be the last time we have here in to talk shop. We received a promise on that.
Moreover, Valerie was kind enough to invite our team to join her for a future episode of Street Focus, which, as you can imagine, we jumped at the chance. Which makes it official, StreetPX will be making a visit to the TWiP network later in the year.
But that's later and this is now. This is an episode not to be missed!
This is StreetPX and the street, awaits...
Valerie Jardin Links: * Valerie Jardin Website * Valerie Jardin Blog * Valerie Jardin on Instagram * YouTube Channel * Facebook Page
Learn about the craft: * Lynda.com Training * Digital Photography School Articles * EBook - "First Steps and Beyond" * Workshops Around the World
Be sure to check out Street Focus, Valerie's wonderful podcast. But do come back to StreetPX right after. :-)
Gardner Hamilton has logged well over 700 destination weddings, across 40+ countries, which is impressive on its own. Today however, our eyes are fixed on his two creations, BlackAndWhiteStreet.com and StreetsInColor.com. Easily among the most active street photographer groups and galleries available online.
Gardner has put his heart and soul into expanding the craft and bringing exposure to photographers around the world. With his huge focus on SEO, it's likely a member with a feature could find their own website come up below their blackandwhitestreet profile in search results. Not an easy feat for a webmaster. But damn if it's not a successful recipe.
We dive into a range of photographic topics; brutal honesty in portfolio reviews, observing your surroundings, thinking before pulling the shutter, "photofarting" and much more, including some not so photographic topics.
Fair warning for those with children nearby, this one treads down that dark alley on a few occasions. Let's just say, a touch more NSFW than usual. ;)
Gardner Hamilton Link: * Homepage
Show Notes: * Black And White Street Gallery + Facebook Group * Streets in Color Gallery + Facebook Group * Magnum Contact Sheets
Artist's Mentioned * David Bailey * Mike Lee * Bogdan Radu * Swarat Ghorsh * John Free
During our recent travels to "Out of Chicago" this past June, we had the pleasure of running into a good friend of the show, the mighty Molly Porter. A prolific and formidable force in the world of Mobile Street Photography and this week, we're bringing her story to you.
We go down many roads during this interview with Molly, including how the mobile phone sparked her interest in street photography, her ongoing inspirations and above all, the unspoken reality of male dominance in street photography today. A topic near and dear to Molly, an artist who uses her work and voice to equalize that invisible barrier and we are proud to offer that segment as part of the discussion with our listeners.
By the way, if you're digging the show, we ask that you please support us through our Patreon page. For as little as a $1.00 a month (or as much as you wish) you can be a part of something awesome... Plus, there is a ton of bonus content and great rewards awaiting those who join in. It's as easy as skipping a coffee each month and everything helps to keep these mics hot.
And for you all on the East coast, don't forget about our upcoming Workshop, presented by StreetPX. A three day intense course, with RE Casper and Vineet Vohra, stomping the streets of Manhattan. Click below and Register Today!
That said, it's time to hit play...
This is StreetPX and the street, awaits...
Molly Porter Links: * Main Website * Instagram * Flickr
Show Links: * Women Street Photographers Facebook Group * Her Side of the Street on Medium * Power Corruption and Likes * Guy Bolongaro * Michelle Groskopf * Eamonn Doyle * Saul Leiter * Mark Cohen
Vineet Vohra is not only the co-founder of APF Magazine, a Fuji-X Photographer and Leica Photographer, but most importantly, he is a phenomenally dynamic street photographer with a magnificent story to tell and philosophy to teach us all.
Pete Rosos is a commercial photographer by trade, with a natural gift for street and documentary photography. Today the man, the myth, the legend... or as he prefers, just the myth, joins us to talk why, what, when, where and Terry Gilliam... Just because.
Welcome to a Special Extended Edition of StreetPX! It's time to look back on the epic week that was Streetfoto. An organized festival focused on street photography, organized by the intrepid, Ken Walton.
As a bonus, we also sit down with Mike Manzano, a friend of the show and fantastic bay area photographer. We hope you enjoy this hybrid interview/recap episode. While we promised Mike that it would take only an hour or two of his day, the clock got away from us and we went far beyond our set run time... Oh well, there was a lot to cover and we've never proved adept at keeping things brief.
I'd say more, but that's what the show is for... Go ahead and hit play. It's a long one, so listen in while you edit your work and the time will fly by.
Check out the original post at Special Edition Episode 16, for group photos and more links than you'll know what to do with.
This is StreetPX and the street, awaits...
It’s that time again… time for Casper and Jim to riff and banter and ramble on all things photography. Every once in awhile, we like to do an episode where we kick back talk shop and today is the day.
Oh, and Jim is about to embark on some travel and was hoping to get some advice from our listeners to guide his way. Let him know some of your favorite spots for street photography in Phoenix, Seattle, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Las Vegas. Head over the StreetPX Lounge, or email him directly at jimwatkins113@gmail.com.
It's been a long hiatus while our co-host Jim gets healthy from a recent surgery. But today we're back as local SF photographer, Peter Zhang steps in the studio. He's new to the industry, but with a talented eye, he's hitting the ground running.
Henry Navarro stops by the studio to talk street, inspire passion and discuss his traveling photo project, "Motorbikes". Documenting the intertwined lives of developing countries and the two-wheeled transportation they depend on from birth to death.
With the Streetfoto International Street Photography Festival in full gear, we get Ken Walton back in the Studio to discuss the ins-and-outs of organizing a major event and what possessed him to go big or go home. - Coming to San Francisco, June 8-12.
We're doubling up on the Watkins gene today. As our very own social media expert at Facebook, Aaron Watkins, visits the StreetPX Studio to discuss Ads, Instagram, posting and more. Best part, we also get to test drive the Samsung Gear VR.
A good friend of the team, Gokhan Cukurova (Chicago, IL), joins us in the studio to share some great stories and talk shop. Including the foundation of one of the largest non-profit photographic organizations in the United States [CPS], documenting the Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, as well as Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Chicago's mayoral candidate in this year's run-off election against Rahm Emanuel.
From the Netherlands to the San Francisco Bay and pumped directly between your ears. StreetPX is going international with Rotterdam's own, Willem Jonkers, a genius with an 8mm and the Pirate of the Asphalt, Sandra Jonkers.
Scott Strazzante... Award winning photojournalist, Hipstamatic street shooter, definitive sports fan. Tune in, as he joins us in the StreetPX studio to discuss his groundbreaking project, "Common Ground" and a successful career in photojournalism.
Today, our hosts sit down for some random photo talk.... the itch for film, drooling over Leicas, photography books, some holiday gift ideas, preparing for an upcoming gallery show and much more. We may not have a spotlight interview for you on today's show, but we have plenty to share. Happy Holidays!
SPX Shorties - Urban Reflections: A brief reflection on how important it can be to take your eye away from the viewfinder and look upon the world around you.
Casper gets a bit heavy, as he opens up the new micro-segment, "Urban Reflections." Here the metaphorical camera is turned on himself, sharing a personal experience to demonstrate how far beyond the camera the genre of street photography can go.
This week, Chicago based documentary photographer, Nima Taradji, stays up late to join us in our very first StreetPX Studio+ Experience. Sharing with us, his experience working with Delia, a transgender female, the Baltimore protests and much more.
StreetPX is on a roll with our guests dropping announcements on brand new projects.
Today's episode is no different with our guest, Kristi Lewis. An Oakland native, photographer and enabler of all things art and we are incredibly happy to have her stop by the studio to tell us about herself, her work and the best part, she even comes up with more project ideas, right on the spot.
It's the eve of Halloween and the StreetPX duo of RE Casper and Jim Watkins are sitting down with local Bay area street photographer, Ken Walton.
A relative newcomer to the world of street photography, but with a natural eye for the camera, he's already making big waves in the genre. We'll talk big afros, disappearing light, a couple of his current projects, "Follicular Fixations" and "Uncanny Consonance" and even offer up a tip or three or four.
As a bonus, Ken even gives us some hints on an upcoming 2016 event that will certainly perk the ears of many surrounding Bay area street photographers. It's only a vibration, but you're gonna love this!
Casper and Jim sit down with Reynaldo Cayetano Jr., founder of the SF Art Collective, "Inks of Truth" for a fantastic introspective interview.
Hosts RE Casper and Jim Watkins, stumble out of the gate and hit their stride on the inaugural episode of StreetPX, a street photography podcast. Lend us an ear, as we touch on inspiration, the fear of street photography, group settings and more.