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In this episode of Street Life, co-hosts Mark Davidson and John St speak with acclaimed American documentary photographer Matt Black, known for his work on poverty, migration, and environmental issues. Matt shares his journey into photography, starting from his early days working in a darkroom at a local newspaper. He reflects on the importance of understanding the craft of photography and how it informs his storytelling.

The discussion delves into Matt's major project, American Geography, which took him on a six-year journey across the United States. He explains how the project aimed to highlight the contradictions of American life, particularly in the context of poverty and social issues. Matt emphasises the interconnectedness of these issues and the importance of advocating for a broader understanding of the realities faced by marginalised communities.

Throughout the episode, Matt shares poignant stories from his travels, including his experiences in Flint, Michigan, during the water crisis. He discusses the emotional toll of documenting such hardships but also finds hope in the connections he makes with the people he photographs. The conversation culminates in a discussion about Matt's new book, American Artifacts, which serves as a companion piece to American Geography, showcasing the objects he collected during his travels and their significance.

Join us for this insightful and thought-provoking episode as we explore the power of photography to tell stories, advocate for change, and connect us to the world around us.

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In this episode, Mark Davidson and John St dive into the fascinating world of  photography and the creative journey of Narelle Autio, an acclaimed Adelaide-based photographer.

As we welcome Narelle to the podcast, we explore her impressive background as a photojournalist and her transition into photography. Narelle shares her initial passion for drawing and painting, which led her to art school, where she discovered the magic of photography in the darkroom. Her journey took a pivotal turn when a photograph she discarded ended up on the front page of a newspaper, leading to a job offer that would shape her career.

Throughout the episode, Narelle discusses her unique approach to photography, particularly her focus on capturing the beauty of the ocean and the human experience within it. She describes the ocean as her muse, revealing how her childhood experiences at the beach have influenced her work. 

We delve into Narelle's creative process, her recent projects, and the importance of storytelling in her work. She shares insights into her collaboration with her husband, Trent Park, and how their dynamic enhances their artistic endeavors. The conversation also touches on the serendipitous nature of photography, the beauty of chance encounters, and the emotional connection to the subjects she captures.

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In this episode of Street Life, John and Mark dive deep into the world of street photography with our special guest, Suzanne Stein, a talented street and documentary photographer based in the east coast of the United States. Known for her compelling visual narratives that explore themes of social justice, homelessness, and the human condition, Suzanne shares her unique journey into photography, which began during a challenging time as a single parent.

Throughout the episode, Suzanne candidly discusses the challenges she faces in the current photography landscape, particularly in the United States. She expresses her frustration with the editorial gatekeeping that often sidelines work that addresses uncomfortable truths about society, especially regarding homelessness and mental health. 

The conversation takes a personal turn as Suzanne opens up about the dangers of her work, sharing harrowing experiences of being assaulted while documenting life in Kensington, Philadelphia. She reflects on the emotional toll this type of photography can take and the burden of feeling obligated to tell certain stories. Despite these challenges, Suzanne remains committed to her craft, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in street photography.

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In this episode of Street Life, we had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Lohmann, a talented street photographer based in Hamburg, Germany. Anna shared her inspiring journey into street photography, which began in 2020 when she moved to London. It was there that she discovered her passion for capturing candid moments on the streets, sparked by a couple of street photography books she stumbled upon in a bookshop.

We discussed Anna's unique approach to photography, which she describes as "high alert meditation." This concept emphasises being fully engaged with her surroundings while also finding peace in the act of shooting. Anna highlighted the importance of mindset in photography, asserting that a positive outlook can significantly influence the quality of one's work.

Throughout our conversation, Anna shared her experiences with street photography, including the cultural differences she has encountered while shooting in Germany compared to other countries. We also touched on the humour present in her work and how storytelling plays a crucial role in her photography.

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Argus Paul Estabrook is a Korean-American, lens-based photographer currently living in South Korea. He uses candid moments and chance encounters to share a personal journey that often explores the intersections of identity, race, and politics. 

Argus’s work has been awarded by the Magnum Photography Awards, Sony World Photography Awards, LensCulture, BJP, and countless others. He was awarded 1st place in the Life Framer's Street Life Award, judged by Bruce Gilden.

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In a Street Life first, John and Mark host a round table discussion with Sydney-based street photographers Houman Katoozi, Steve Dimitriadis and Ben Greenslade-Stanton. In this episode, the panel discuss whether street photography is becoming soulless. They also chat about whether competitions are still relevant and working on projects rather than single images. 

Houman Katoozi
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Steve Dimitriadis, aka Zone Focus
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Ben Greenslade-Stanton, aka BGS Funk
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JC Kodaks is a New York City-based photographer, with roots in the Philippines.

JC is known for capturing the vibrant street life of New York City and his work is heavily influenced by the film noir aesthetic.

JC's work has been featured in the "Behind the Sensor" YouTube series, which highlights talented photographers.

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Alison McCauley is an English documentary and street photographer currently based in the South of France.

Alison initially studied visual art and painting, before transitioning to photography around 2006.

Her approach to street photography is spontaneous, open-ended and subjective, capturing a diverse range of subjects including people, objects and landscapes.

 Alison has published a number of books including ‘Shimmer’ and ‘Anywhere But Here’.

Purchase 'Anywhere But Here' here and 'Shimmers' here.

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Francesca Chiacchio is an award-winning Italian street photographer based in Naples, Italy.

Her work has been exhibited in various photography exhibitions worldwide and has been featured in numerous international magazines.

Francesca is a member of the street photography collective "Through the Lands" and has been a speaker and judge in the Italian Street Photo Festival.

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In this episode, John and Mark are joined by Sydney-based photographer Knox Bertie to discuss the question: are there too many photographs these days and is the volume of images stripping meaning from photography?

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