The PHYS Podcast

Ep 42 - Devin Allen on Photography, Activism & Documenting History


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Some photographers influence the way you shoot.


Others influence the way you see the world.


On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I'm honored to sit down with Devin Allen, a self-taught photographer, artist, author, and one of my personal biggest influences and inspirations.


Devin's work has become a defining visual record of modern American history. In 2015, his photograph documenting the Baltimore Uprising appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine, making him only the third amateur photographer ever featured on the magazine's cover. Five years later, TIME once again selected one of Devin's images, this time documenting a Black Lives Matter protest, further cementing his role as one of the most important visual storytellers of his generation.


But Devin's impact goes far beyond magazine covers.


Through his photography, he has dedicated himself to documenting Black life, culture, resilience, and community with honesty, dignity, and authenticity. His work serves as both historical record and artistic expression, preserving moments that might otherwise be forgotten while challenging viewers to engage with the realities of the world around them.


Named the first Gordon Parks Foundation Fellow in 2017 and a Leica Camera Ambassador in 2020, Devin continues to use photography as a tool for storytelling, education, and social change.


His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Aperture, while his photographs reside in the permanent collections of some of the most respected museums and cultural institutions in the United States.


In This Episode:


• Devin's journey from self-taught photographer to internationally recognized artist

• Becoming a two-time TIME Magazine cover photographer

• Documenting the Baltimore Uprising and Black Lives Matter movement

• Photography as activism and social commentary

• The influence of Gordon Parks and Black photographers on his work

• His books A Beautiful Ghetto and No Justice, No Peace

• Why documenting Black life and culture matters

• Building a legacy through visual storytelling

• The responsibility of preserving history through photography


For me personally, Devin's work has been one of the biggest influences on how I think about photography, community, and the responsibility we have as storytellers.


Visit Devin:

Instagram: @bydvnlln

Threads: @bydvnlln

Web: www.bydvnlln.com


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