Freedom behind the lens: A photographic journey

Even though I am relatively new to photography, holding my Olympus Pen F feels so natural. This is my second camera and when I finally decided to purchase it I knew this was going to be an all or nothing commitment. My previous camera was primarily used for the portraits I took of my fiancé for her blog, so the thought of going out at night to take pictures never crossed my mind. But when I went out the first time with the Pen F on what I would refer to as my photography safari, I felt a freedom that I had never before experienced. Usually, I take my camera wherever I go and shoot whatever I find along the way but this particular night I went out with the sole purpose of taking pictures. 

 I drove out that night very inspired, armed with the enthusiasm of a child and his brand new toy. Completely disconnected from the troubles the daytime brings, I ventured into the cover of night, where glimmers of lost dreams reflect under the streetlights. Here is where you find the truth, in the streets, late at night. People abandon the masquerade they parade behind during the daytime and reveal their true self. Even the empty streets tell a different story of days long past and nights yet to come. I decided to shoot in monochrome to further accentuate the ambiguity that fills the night air. As I exited the car, the cold air filled my lungs,  my heart rate increased and I began to walk down the sidewalk. This was the interview I had prepared for. Tonight would determine, for me at least, if I had the level of commitment to to cross the bridge from novice to intermediate. I continued down the street in search of the truth.

I, like everyone, enjoys being part of the action, but as a photographer you become an observer. Looking from a distance completely separated from the action. Time has no relevance here as you wander around from place to place waiting to capture a moment in time. Eyes scanning the cityscape, I clear my mind and take in everything around me noticing even the most minute detail that nearly everone would ordinarily overlook. But even before I took up photography I was an observer, always vigilant of my surroundings. It comes from being born and raised in NYC and working out of a worktruck for the past twenty years. You learn to read the streets. You know when something is about to happen, similar to the feeling you get right before it snows and although I have no formal training I believe it has translated well in my photography.