In this episode, Karen Commings joins us to talk about her approach to street photography, and how it all began. You might remember Karen from earlier this month – she’s our featured photographer in the October issue. Karen has been shooting the streets in earnest for about 10 years now, and one of the things we noticed about her work right away is how honed her powers of observation are. She often captures photos that are layered with multiple people and emotions all at the same time. It’s the way she likes to tell the story behind the moment. But that’s not the only reason she’s able to capture her subjects with emotions on full display. “My superpower is being invisible in a crowd,” she says. Karen uses her superpower, along with a respectful approach to get close and catch. In this episode, you’ll learn what practical steps Karen takes to be discreet and how she knows when to take the shot. You’ll also get a few tips about getting your work seen from Karen. Her work has been featured in Black & White Magazine several times, The Photo Review, and Harrisburg Magazine, just to mention a few online publications, as well as in numerous gallery shows. What’s her secret? Listen in to find out why photographers should take a chance with submissions and stay persistent to get work published.Another thing we love about Karen’s work is her willingness to bend and break the rules of photography on occasion. She talks about they whys and hows of that in this episode, but to see a few examples of times she’s broken the rules for a noteworthy photo, be sure to subscribe to Street Photography Magazine and read our feature article about Karen, “A Chance to Break the Rules.”Where to Find Karen CommingsWebsite Facebook Instagram Karen’s Street Photography Books

Photo by Larry RacioppoJohn Rossi, a retired school teacher from the New York City school system, has a deep passion for capturing moments through his lens. Although he currently lives on Staten Island, his heart remains in his native Brooklyn.Larry Racioppio, a fellow photographer, friend of John’s and contributor to Street Photography Magazine, introduced me to John’s timeless photographs of Little Italy. And after seeing his photographs, I understood why and immediately invited him to share his personal story with you on the podcast.Street Photography Magazine subscribers can see his work in his article Memories of Little Italy.John’s journey in photography began when he got his hands on an old camera with his girlfriend. They experimented with different settings and discovered the joy of capturing images. From that point on, John always had a camera by his side, documenting any event that caught his eye.John stressed the significance of photography books in his development. He mentioned influential photographers like Walker Evans and Robert Frank, whose work shaped his understanding of photography. With the advent of smartphones, everyone can now take pictures anytime, but John emphasized the importance of slowing down to capture meaningful moments, rather than just snapping away without purpose.We also discussed John’s deep connection to his Italian roots and his passion for photographing the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. He explained how his family had a store in the neighborhood, and how he was influenced by the atmosphere of the feast. His photographs from those times capture not only the events but also the culture and spirit of the people of the neighborhood.As you will hear in our conversation, John is a funny and entertaining storyteller. He shared stories of encounters with fellow photographers and even brushes with famous actors like Robert De Niro.It was a pleasure to have John Rossi on the podcast, and I encourage you to explore his body of work.Links from the showJohn’s Facebook

Sam Huggin, a production assistant in Richmond, Virginia, discusses the importance of film and photography in storytelling and the beauty of capturing the essence of subjects without exploiting them. He emphasizes the significance of composition and lighting in street photography and shares his favorite films with great photography, including Shawshank Redemption. Sam also touches on the ethical considerations of photographing people in difficult situations.

Lisa Cates and Doug Miller of the New Orleans Photo Alliance join the podcast to talk about the upcoming PhotoNOLA Festival. They discuss the festival's events, exhibition opportunities, and portfolio review. They also highlight the festival's commitment to fostering the exchange of art and ideas and making photography accessible to the local community.

Joe Jasper, passionate street photographer, discusses capturing the unnoticed moments of everyday life. Topics include favorite shooting locations, photography tips for travel, capturing the essence of a place, exploring different lenses for street photography, and the influence of social media on urban exploring.

Richard Morgan, a professional photographer from London, discusses his passion for street photography and his recent article on capturing everyday life in wartime Ukraine. He shares his experiences working with clients, the challenges of portraiture, and techniques for capturing genuine expressions. The podcast also explores his experiences in Russia and Ukraine, the value of revisiting locations in street photography, and the importance of staying in one place for deeper photography.

Bob Soltys, a photographer who discovered his love for photography while shelving books, talks about his journey from humble beginnings to capturing magic moments. He shares tips on presenting a portfolio effectively, emphasizes the importance of preparation and conciseness, and advises bringing supporting materials. Bob's website is not just a portfolio, but a creative journal of his personal story, charitable work, and his dogs.

Editor’s Note: The woman in the photo above next to Larry is Melissa, his cousin Camille’s daughter. They are at a 2018 book signing fo his book “BROOKLYN BEFORE.”  Melissa’s 1983 First Communion Photo is in the book and on the wall behind them. It’s another example of his family work coming full circle.Larry Racioppo is a New York photographer who has been capturing captivating images for over half a century. Hailing from a simple Italian-American, Catholic family in Brooklyn, art wasn’t a frequent part of his upbringing. Nevertheless, Larry fell in love with photography accidentally while volunteering for an anti-poverty program in California. Ever since 1969, Larry discovered his passion and developed a unique photographic style that reflects his roots and personal evolution. His diverse body of work, which examines the vibrant religious cultures of different ethnic groups in the city and showcases intimate portraits of loved ones, exhibits a fascinating continuity. Despite a lack of formal training, this self-taught artist has published five books and is currently working on his next five.Don’t forget to check out Larry’s Street Photography Magazine article “Return Visit to NYC.”A selection of Larry’s photosLinks from the showLarry’s Website Larry’s Books Instagram

Kenneth Wajda is a professional photographer and avid street photographer from Colorado. He has a unique approach to photography and a real passion for capturing those special moments that happen in our everyday lives. According to him, photography is a way to capture life as it is and to showcase the essence of people and places in their natural state. Currently he’s working on a project to capture the in-between moments of ordinary life in all 50 states, with the objective of capturing a truly authentic representation of the diversity of the United States.One thing that really stood out to me is Kenmeth’s approach to photographing people. Instead of staging or posing his subjects, he focuses on capturing people as they are, which really allows him to showcase their true essence. This approach results in portraits that are authentic and meaningful.My big takeaway from our conversation is that each photographer should be true to themselves and embrace their own unique style and vision. He encourages photographers to be authentic and not to conform to current trends or try to emulate others. This way, photographers can create truly meaningful and authentic work.Kenneth’s passion for photography shines through in every word, and his dedication to capturing the beauty of everyday life is really something special.A selection of Kenneth’s street photosLinks from the showKenneth’s Website Colorado Faces Instagram Youtube

Mark Gilvey is an artist and photographer in Northern Virginia near Washington, DC. He began his career documenting endurance sports car racing. He later became interested in multi-image production, designing art for panoramic presentations using multiple slide projectors. As technology evolved, Mark taught himself digital design and went on to work in pre-press, web design, and marketing. He eventually formed his own company, Mark Gilvey Creative, where he provides design services to small and medium-sized businesses. Mark has several personal photo book projects in the can and decided to use Blurb or other pint on demand services to make them a reality. However he discovered that it was difficult to make the end product, printed by someone else, match his creative vision. So Mark called upon his many years of printing and graphic design experience to create a process to prepare photos and files so that they look best when printed. Mark’s process is now available to anyone through his book Blurb for Photographers. Mark joined us for this special podcast episode to share some tips and techniques to make your photos look their best when printed on demand.Links from the showBlurb for Photographers Mark’s Fine Art Website Instagram Facebook