WHO?
I’m a person who didn’t always want to be a photographer. Although I do have an early memory of being given a camera by my mother to photograph a school outing, I can’t really remember using a camera for anything else until I was almost thirty years old. At that time a friend showed me the work of some well known photographers, and also introduced me to camera fundamentals and the darkroom.
Soon I began doing freelance jobs for local newspapers, and was later offered a staff position. Later I joined a photo agency, and began to photograph topical news stories. As time passed, however, I became less interested in photographing current events, and I now focus mostly on personal projects.
WHAT?
Since most of my work revolves around the relationship of people to a public space, I guess that it falls into the category of ” street photography” . Although sometimes I might photograph in a place for a short period of time, more frequently I become intrigued by a particular locale and photograph there over an extended period. In addition to photographing close to home in Manhattan, I have also worked extensively on projects in Mexico, India, and elsewhere.
WHERE?
I don’t usually make a decision about where I want to spend time until after I make an initial visit. If I’m rewarded with some good pictures, I’ll think about returning in the future.
WHEN?
When I’m home I have to fit my photography into my daily schedule. When I’m away, however, I’m able to work with greater intensity. That means that I go into the streets early in the morning, and look for pictures all day.
WHY?
Motives are sometimes complicated, and I suspect that none of us are fully aware of all the things that influence us. Having said that, a simpler explanation could be that photographing gives me pleasure. If it didn’t, I can’t see why I’d continue.
