Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, Mark and John welcome special guest Kris Desautels, a Chicago-based street photographer known for his high-contrast, minimalist imagery.Kris recounts his early exposure to photography through his family's point-and-shoot cameras and his mother's passion for capturing family moments. After a detour through various jobs and a stint in bartending, Kris found his calling in photography, particularly drawn to the themes of isolation and urban life.Kris elaborates on how the pandemic influenced his work, pushing him towards solitary imagery amidst the empty streets of Chicago. He discusses his preference for black and white photography, citing the emotional depth it provides compared to colour. Throughout the episode, Kris shares his creative process, emphasising the importance of instinct and spontaneity in his photography. He reveals his fascination with reflections and silhouettes, as well as his approach to sequencing images to tell a cohesive story. The conversation also touches on the influence of music and other art forms on his work, highlighting how he draws inspiration from various sources beyond photography.As the episode wraps up, Kris discusses his current projects, including a book centered around Chicago's Air and Water Show and a series involving mannequins and nighttime photography.Join us for this engaging episode filled with humour, insights, and a deep appreciation for the art of street photography as we explore the creative journeys of Mark, John, and Kris Desautels.WEBSITE | INSTAGRAMFollow us on Instagram and leave us a review!
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1:04:52
Olga Karlovac
Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, we had the pleasure of speaking with the talented Olga Kolovac, a self-taught abstract and street photographer from Dubrovnik, Croatia. Olga is known for her unique black-and-white photography that captures fleeting moments and emotions, often in rainy and dark conditions.We kicked off the conversation by discussing Olga's journey into photography, which began in her childhood but took a hiatus during her university years. It wasn't until her 30s that she rediscovered her passion, leading her to explore street photography. Olga shared her preference for shooting in less-than-ideal weather, explaining how the rain and cold inspire her creativity and allow her to capture images that many others might overlook.We delved into her distinctive style, which is heavily influenced by expressionist painters and characterised by a dreamlike quality. Olga emphasised that her work is about conveying emotion rather than adhering to traditional beauty standards, which often leads her to capture the more melancholic aspects of her surroundings.As we wrapped up, we asked Olga about her future projects and her thoughts on the rise of AI in photography. She expressed confidence in the irreplaceable nature of human emotion in art, highlighting that while AI can replicate styles, it cannot capture the essence of human experience.Overall, this episode was a deep dive into the world of street photography through Olga's eyes, offering inspiration and insight for both aspiring and seasoned photographers. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed the conversation.WEBSITE | INSTAGRAMFollow us on Instagram and leave us a review!
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46:58
Bragdon Brothers
Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, we dive deep into the world of street photography with the incredibly talented Bragdon Brothers, Gavin and Gareth. We explore the unique journey of these two brothers who have dedicated over a decade to capturing the essence of urban life through their lens.Gavin and Gareth share their fascinating backstory, revealing how they both stumbled into photography after initially pursuing music. Their journey began in Edinburgh, where they discovered street photography through a documentary that highlighted iconic photographers like Henry Cartier-Bresson and Martin Parr. This revelation sparked their passion for capturing spontaneous moments in their everyday surroundings.The brothers discuss their creative process, emphasising how they often shoot together, despite the challenges posed by Gareth's health issues. We delve into their distinctive style, characterised by surreal use of flash, shadow, and blur, which they developed as a response to the often grey and dark environment of Edinburgh. They recount how a simple thrift store flash gun led to a breakthrough image that garnered positive feedback and set them on their current path.Throughout the conversation, we touch on the importance of local influences in their work, highlighting how fellow photographers in Edinburgh inspired their approach. They also candidly discuss the challenges of working together as brothers, the dynamics of their creative partnership, and how they navigate disagreements without letting them affect their relationship.The episode takes a poignant turn as Gareth opens up about his battle with Lyme disease, which has significantly impacted his life and photography. He shares how the passion for photography has provided him with a sense of purpose and a way to cope with his health struggles. Join us for this inspiring episode filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and a deep appreciation for the art of street photography. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, Gavin and Gareth's journey is sure to resonate and inspire you to capture the world around you.WEBSITE | INSTAGRAMFollow us on Instagram and leave us a review!
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1:17:53
Greg Girard
Send us a textIn this episode of the Street Life podcast, we had the immense pleasure of speaking with internationally renowned photographer Greg Girard. With a career spanning over four decades, Greg has masterfully documented the social and physical transformations of cities across Asia, particularly in urban centers like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo. His atmospheric images capture the delicate balance between modernity and memory, light and shadow, presence and disappearance.Join us for this enlightening discussion with Greg Girard, a true master of urban photography, as we explore the intersections of culture, memory, and the art of capturing life in the streets.WEBSITE | INSTAGRAMFollow us on Instagram and leave us a review!
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1:15:22
Sharon Eilon
Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, we dive deep into the world of street photography with our guest, Sharon Eilon, an Israeli-based street and documentary photographer. Sharon's journey into photography is both inspiring and transformative, stemming from a severe health crisis that led her to seek healing in India. During her time there, she discovered her passion for photography, which has since blossomed into a significant part of her life.During our conversation with Sharon, we explore her unique perspective on street photography, particularly her ongoing project titled Leap of Faith, which focuses on the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods in Israel. Sharon discusses how her curiosity about faith and community drives her work, and she shares her experiences in gaining access to these communities and establishing trust with her subjects.Sharon also touches on her project Women of Valour, which highlights the often-overlooked roles of women in various religious communities. We delve into the challenges she faces while photographing women in these conservative settings and how she navigates the complexities of cultural sensitivities.Throughout the episode, we discuss the technical aspects of photography, including the importance of storytelling, composition, and the balance between candid and posed shots. Sharon emphasises that a strong photograph conveys a story, and we reflect on how our own experiences shape our photographic journeys.We also touch on Sharon's recent trip to Myanmar, where she explored the lives of Buddhist nuns. She shares her motivations for choosing this project and the challenges she faced while working in a politically sensitive environment.Finally, we wrap up the episode by discussing the importance of constructive criticism in photography and how to navigate the often overwhelming world of social media. Sharon's insights remind us that while praise and criticism can be fleeting, the true value of our work lies in the stories we tell and the connections we make.Join us for this engaging episode filled with laughter, inspiration, and a deep dive into the art of street photography.Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!
Street Life is a street photography podcast hosted by John St and Mark Davidson. Each fortnight, John and Mark speak to talented, world-class street photographers - from traditional and established doyens of the industry to innovative and emerging trailblazers - about their work and love for street photography.