Richard Keshen — Progressive Street

**Richard Keshen**

a photographer who tries to capture the light aspects of life

I was born and still live in Toronto, Canada. I’ve had the great fortune, starting at a young age, of being able to travel to various countries and experience different cultures.

At the age of 16 I became interested in photography. A friend at the time helped me set up a darkroom in my family home. He also helped me to choose my first analogue camera. Seeing my photos come to life as I developed them was pure magic.

My parents weren’t feeling the magic though. They were under the misconception that the chemicals I was using for developing could potentially burn down the house. Sadly my photographic journey came to a temporary crashing halt when I was forced to dismantle and sell my darkroom equipment.

Fast forward many decades. I became interested in the work of Garry Winogrand and Vivian Maier. At the same time, in 2016, The Art Gallery of Ontario was offering courses in street photography. I signed up and was immediately hooked.

My intention when going out to shoot is to capture the lighter, humorous side of the human condition. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. Documenting protests is also something I’m drawn to capturing. There seems to be no shortage of them no matter what part of the world I happen to be in.

Street photography has taught me to slow down and feel present in the moment. Almost like a meditation. To see the humour in the mundane. To touch the sadness in the lonely and to give these stories life through the magic of the camera.