Street Photography Magazine

In today’s conversation, I’m joined by the Justin Ide, Street Photography Magazine’s featured photographer for the November 2023 issue. His feature story with a samples from a recent project will go live Sunday, November 5 at 10:00 AM EST in the magazine. With an impressive career as a photojournalist, Justin has captured powerful moments and shared stories that matter. From his early days in West Virginia, where he honed his skills by chasing down news stories, to his time as a staff photographer for the Boston Herald, Justin’s unique style shines through. After his time in the newsroom, he took on the role of Director of Photography at Harvard University, where he continued to tell stories through his lens. Always eager to learn and grow, Justin emphasizes the importance of constantly seeking inspiration and knowledge, no matter where it may come from. He believes that everyone has a unique story to tell, and through his camera, he captures the essence of individuals and the world around them. Whether it’s the bravery of firefighters or the hard work of farmers, Justin’s images evoke emotion and shed light on their untold stories. Join Justin and I as he discusses his adventures, from his early days with a camera in hand to his current projects in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’ll share the lessons he’s learned along the way, including the importance of staying curious, finding stories that ignite your passion, and breaking the ice with subjects to create connections. Links from the show Justin’s Editoral and Commercial Website Justin’s Family Documentary Website Justin’s zine Every Rodeo starts with a salute to the flag.

Fred Ranger, visual storytelling expert and YouTuber, discusses the creation of his first zine titled 'Humans After All'. He emphasizes the importance of seeing his work in print and the magic it brings. Fred used BookWrite, a free editing software, to design and sequence the zine. He also made a digital PDF version available. The chapter topics range from discussing the French language and travel plans to the process of creating a zine and transitioning from film to digital photography.

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 Commings Website Facebook Instagram Karen’s Street Photography Books

Photo by Larry Racioppo John 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 show John’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 photos Links from the show Larry’s Website Larry’s Books Instagram