Ave Pildas is a living legend in the world of street photography. Now 84 years old and based in Santa Monica, California, his career spans over six decades of capturing images that document the human experience. Pildas’ journey began in humble circumstances – by his own account, he was “a juvenile delinquent at 16” growing up in Cincinnati. However, he discovered a passion and a gift for artistic expression graphic design, then photography.

Early in his career Ave embarked on a project to visually chronicle the jazz scene of the 1960s. He developed an innovative approach, gifting musicians with prints of his photos in exchange for access to intimately document legends like Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Nina Simone performing at clubs. His timeless black and white portraits from this era demonstrated Ave’s ability to transcend being a mere observer.

But he didn’t rest on the laurels of his jazz photographs. Ave’s insatiable curiosity prompted him to constantly experiment with new techniques over the decades. He used a tripod-mounted camera at a fixed location with a remote trigger to capture sequences on the street. He also crafts unusual studio setups and uses flash in low-light environments on the street do document gay pride and Halloween celebrations over the years. lighting sources, and even deconstructing and re-assembling. Each new approach allowed Ave to express a unique perspective.

Ave’s dedication to his craft is matched by his generosity of spirit. He continues tirelessly documenting vibrant communities like the drum circle in LA’s Leimert Park, often gifting cherished prints to his subjects.

A recent documentary titled “Ave’s America” produced and directed by his former photography student Patrick Taulère provides insight into his process and passion for using photography to open our eyes to communities most of us rarely interact with. The film is currently available on Amazon Prime Video and soon to be available on PBS. I watched the film as soon as it was released and although I’ve known Ave sor several years I learned so much by watching him interact with all types of people on the streets. The way he connects with others helped me understand that deep down we are all alike. Don’t miss this one.

At an age when most have long settled into retirement, Ave Pildas still chases his muse daily on the streets seeking new ways to express himself.