Progressive Street

Art and creativity have always defined me, probably from the first time I picked up a crayon. As a young man I pursued an academic education in Fine Art and Art History, later teaching Life Drawing, Painting and related subjects for many years.  I have also worked as an Art Director, Creative Director and Curator. My artwork has been shown in New York area museum and gallery exhibitions; and my commercial illustrations have appeared in numerous publications.  The one major medium almost entirely missing from my sphere of artistic experience was photography. For the last few years, inspired by my wife, I have begun to pursue a new interest in street photography.

Street is exciting, challenging and dynamic- it is dependent on exploration, on circumstances that are unpredictable, and on uncontrollable factors such as time, light -luck!- and other people. I often describe its appeal as akin to the thrill of a treasure hunt; and I think every street photographer would know what I mean.  

This world is full of magic: a vast variety of people, amazing environments, and those ‘decisive moments’ that vanish in an instant, only to be replaced by a constantly changing flood of new and different ones. Most of these will pass unseen; but some may be captured by a sharp-eyed street photographer, who just happens to be at the right place at the right time. And what a great feeling of discovery and creation that can be…

Street seems to fit this 21st century- a chaotic time in which everything is moving, and changing, faster than ever.

For me, the camera is a passport to exploration. I am interested in people, in the unusual, the beautiful, and the ugly. I am drawn to expressive color, and to descriptive environments, and I try to find dialogue between subjects and surroundings whenever possible. I utilize available light, my understanding of composition, an urge to experiment, and an artist’s eye.

Two of the things I find most rewarding in life are exploring my home town, New York; and photographing some of the infinite variety of unexpected, fascinating and colorful subjects that the city contains, waiting to be discovered.

I am gratified to have found in Progressive Street a passionate community of creative and inspiring artists, and friends. My thanks to the extraordinary force of nature known as Batsceba Hardy, and the wonderful Progressive Gang, for creating an online oasis that enriches us all.