Photography and the value of interaction

I came across the work of Studs Terkel decades ago and was riveted. Terkel’s gift was to be able to make other people talk about themselves,  to genuinely listen to what they said, and to care about those words. That the story of ‘ordinary’ people could be so fascinating was a revelation to me. Both his radio broadcasts and his books made me realise just what a richness of experience there is around us in every crowd. But we can only share those riches if we talk to people.

Edward in the Tenderloin. Image © Brad Evans

And I guess thats partly why I like street & urban photography. Its all about people, and I like people. And I enjoy browsing for such images on the ‘net. But with a lot of the work I come across, I sometimes feel like I’ve just had a good meal but no dessert. Something’s missing.

Marcos. Image © Brad Evans

And I think what is absent is the ‘interaction’ that reveals something more of the subject. I see too much work thats ….well….superficial I guess, and which is all surface and no depth. So it was with great delight that I wandered into Brad’s blog.  He not only takes great images that capture moments rich in serendipity, he also takes the time to speak to people. And the dimension that interaction adds to his street portrait work, is for me, priceless.

Gibson, downtown San Francisco. Image © Brad Evans

In Brad’s own words:

One of my 2011 goals is to try and get more involved in “street photography.” I used to do a lot more of that, but discovered getting closer and closer to people, engaging in street portraiture, was a great way of dealing with background clutter. That’s always a challenge with street photography, often ruining what might otherwise be a good photo.

Shooting street portraiture nicely deals with the clutter issue because you have flexibility in posing subjects. It’s also a fantastic way to learn about people; often individuals I would not otherwise approach. Along the way I’ve learned my camera gives me a license of sorts to get close to people and into their lives a bit; asking questions and learning a lot in the process. It’s great being a snoop. I’ve learned that if you approach people honestly and straight-up, just about everyone will take some time out of their life to help with a portrait. Even when there is no apparent upside for them in the process. That’s pretty cool, and for me, a nice comment about people in general.

 

I think this is really fine and humane work, by someone who cares about people. Its in that great tradition of American storytelling. But this is not fiction. Evans’ work, like the work of Terkel, is rooted in reality, and tells the story of us, the ordinary people, and I think that fact imbues it with great strength and will ensure it has lasting value.

So if you have a spare moment to view some fine images pop across to Brad’s blog, Citysnaps, and enjoy.