Street Life

Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, John and Mark dive into the fascinating world of street photography with special guest Suresh Naganathan. Suresh, a Swiss-born photographer now based in Mumbai, shares his unique journey from Switzerland to India and how it shaped his photographic style.We discuss Suresh's transition from taking holiday snaps to capturing the vibrant chaos of Mumbai's streets, highlighting the challenges and rewards of street photography. He reflects on the importance of being present in the moment and how he finds quiet, poignant moments amidst the city's hustle and bustle.Suresh also opens up about the complexities of photographing in a city with stark contrasts between wealth and poverty, emphasising the need for sensitivity and respect in his work. He shares insights into his creative process, including how he approaches sequencing images for his book and the importance of instinct in editing.Throughout the conversation, we touch on the struggles many photographers face, such as processing images and the fear of repetition in their work. Suresh's perspective on maintaining curiosity and openness in photography serves as an inspiring reminder for all of us.Join us as we explore the art of street photography through Suresh's eyes, and gain valuable insights into capturing the essence of urban life.Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, John and Mark dive into the world of street photography with special guest, Mike Spot, who also goes by the name Illkoncept. Mike, a Milwaukee-born, New York-based street photographer and filmmaker, shares his journey from skateboarding to photography, highlighting how his early experiences with video shaped his current work.We discuss Mike's transition from skate videos to street photography, the challenges he faced while shooting in Vietnam during Tet, and how unexpected circumstances can lead to unique creative opportunities. Mike reflects on the importance of capturing moments in photography versus video, and we explore the parallels between skateboarding and street photography.Throughout the conversation, we touch on the significance of inspiration, the impact of weather on shooting, and the struggles of self-doubt that many photographers face. He shares insights on how to overcome creative ruts and the value of exploring new environments, whether through travel or simply changing your usual routes in familiar places.We also delve into Mike's filmmaking style, drawing inspiration from iconic filmmakers and discussing how he combines photography and video to tell compelling stories. His recent works, including a captivating video about his experiences in Japan, showcase his unique approach to visual storytelling.Join us for an engaging discussion filled with insights, inspiration, and a few laughs as we explore the art of street photography and the creative process behind it.Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, we reflect on our recent trip to Japan, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture and bustling streets of Tokyo. It was John's first visit to Japan, and I was overwhelmed by the efficiency of the city, the incredible food, and the sheer number of people. We discuss our experiences navigating the transport system, with John sharing his initial struggles and eventual mastery of it.We dive into our photography experiences, with John expressing the challenges he faced in capturing the essence of Tokyo, feeling that he didn't quite do it justice. Mark shares his own journey of shooting two rolls of film and discovering some unexpected keepers among the shots. We also touch on the unique aspects of Japanese culture, such as the politeness of the people, the absence of public eating, and the fascinating technology.Throughout the episode, we recount our encounters with fellow photographers and podcast listeners, including Tatsuo Suzuki, Laurence Bouchard, and Joel Pulliam, highlighting the warmth and kindness of the photography community in Japan. We also reminisce about our culinary adventures, including a memorable ramen experience and the challenges of using chopsticks.As we wrap up, we express our desire to return to Japan, explore more of its rural areas, and continue our photography journey. We appreciate the feedback from our listeners and look forward to future episodes with exciting guests. Thank you for joining us on this adventure!Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, we had the pleasure of speaking with Joakim Möller, a talented fine art street photographer based in Stockholm. Joakim is known for his haunting black and white imagery that beautifully blends reality with imagination. We delved into his journey into photography, which began in his teenage years, sparked by a high school course on street photography that opened his eyes to capturing candid moments in a way he had never considered before.Joakim shared his unique approach to street photography, emphasising the importance of mystery in his work. He discussed how he initially faced challenges while shooting in a small town in Sweden, where he often felt like an outsider with his camera. However, through perseverance and a shift in perspective, he learned to appreciate the beauty in his surroundings, leading to a series of photographs that captured the essence of his hometown.We explored Joakim's creative process, including his experimentation with diptychs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed him to find new ways to express his artistic vision. He also touched on the significance of using accessible tools, like his Ricoh GRIII and even his iPhone, to create compelling images without being bogged down by gear.Throughout our conversation, Joakim reflected on the subjective nature of photography and the importance of personal interpretation. He candidly shared his thoughts on the challenges of entering competitions, the evolution of his relationship with Instagram, and the value of patience in creating meaningful work.As we wrapped up, Joakim expressed his aspirations for future projects, including a book that he hopes will encapsulate his artistic journey. It was an inspiring discussion that highlighted the transformative power of photography and the unique voice that each photographer brings to the art form. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!WEBSITE | INSTAGRAMFollow us on Instagram and leave us a review!

Send us a textIn this episode of Street Life, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brooklyn-based street photographer Billy Dinh, whose striking use of light and shadow has earned him international recognition - including a first-place award from The Independent Photographer in 2023.Billy shares his unconventional path into photography. Trained in illustration and painting, he discovered street photography almost by accident - after a break-in at his apartment and a chance encounter with another photographer. What began as a replacement camera soon became the start of a new artistic chapter.We discuss Billy’s evolution from landscapes to candid street scenes, the influence of his art background on his visual storytelling, and how he built a unique style by avoiding early imitation of others. The conversation also explores what “street photography” really means - and whether the label itself can be too limiting.Billy opens up about his creative process while traveling, the patience it takes to connect with new places, and how his most compelling work often emerges at the end of a trip. He also shares thoughts on emotional impact, composition, and how experimenting with focal lengths helps him tell layered stories.This episode offers a deep look into Billy’s artistic mindset - a thoughtful exploration of vision, emotion, and the beauty of everyday life captured through the lens.WEBSITE | INSTAGRAMFollow us on Instagram and leave us a review!