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Table of Contents

Interview with Eva Mallis

Video conversation with Robert Virga

People are the Key

The Stories Hands Tell

Robbie McIntosh on Street Photography

Street Shooters of October 2021

Robbie McIntosh on Street Photography

Robbie McIntosh

Where are you from and how did you get into street photography?

I’m from Napoli, Italy. I got into street photography almost naturally, since the downtown streets of this city are just like a stage 24/7.

Hail to the Queen

How would you describe your street photography style?

I try to be unobtrusive, like a dancing ghost. I shoot mostly on film, both black & white and color, with a Leica M system (Leica MP & M2, splitting time between the Elmarit 28mm and the Summilux & Summicron 35mm).

I hope to transmit the emotions I feel and be objective at the same time.

  • La Bocca Sollevo dal Fiero Pasto
  • Giant Under the Sun
  • What a Glorious Time to be Free

I love your beach shots, tell us about that, you know, the good, the bad, and the ugly of shooting people oceanside.

There is so much going on in those locations. During summertime, people get even more crazy and cheeky. This is simultaneously a good and a bad thing.

La Familia es Mi Vida

Are there any street photographers in particular that you draw inspiration from?

I love the work of legendary photographers like Garry Winogrand, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Abbas, Susan Meiselas. They have been (and still are) a constant source of inspiration all through these years.

For Jangle and Bojangle Trip Trip

You’ve got some really great portraits in your feed. How do you choose a subject? And do you always interact with them?

I always try to get in tune with my subjects, establishing an empathetic level of communication. This makes me feel they are giving me the green light.

So, do you get in tune with them without speaking to them directly? I’m curious because the photos you get as a result are excellent.

Sometimes I speak with them, sometimes I don’t. Usually, I start a conversation and make them feel at ease.

  • Singing the Body Electric
  • Portrait of Gigino Coca Cola
  • Raffaele the Playboy

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in street photography and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is managing to get so close to unknown people and take photographs without their explicit consent.

My advice to get through this is: be honest, straight and polite. And of course, don’t take stupid risks.

I Don’t Waste My Sin I Can’t Spare a Grin

What is your most memorable moment or photo from street photography?

I really love baptism rituals on the beach. They represent a nice blend of sacred and prophane, which is a common Neapolitan cliché.

Interesting. Do these baptism rituals happen a lot? What are they like? And why do you say they mix the sacred and profane?

They only happen a couple times per year, but there’s no common rule. For instance, the best year was 2015 (there were 4 rituals as far as I remember), while the worst was 2021 (zero). The preacher and those being baptized are wearing long white vests. One after another, they reach for the preacher in the water and then their heads are put under the sea for several seconds.

What has street photography taught you?

Respect is the key. And life can be so unpredictable. Random encounters are always around the corner, and most of the time they turn out to be the best.

This is the First Frame or Maybe Some Other Photograph that I Took

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Robbie and see more of his work, be sure to visit his Flickr photostream. This photographer was selected from our Flickr group (Street Photography Magazine), where we regularly choose photographers’ work to be published in our magazine. 

Articles
October 2021

Interview with Eva Mallis

New York City street photographer captures the "themes of life" in her images

Video conversation with Robert Virga

Longtime NYC street photographer, Robert Virga, explains how he shoots and thinks by showing examples of his work.

People are the Key

Laurent Delhourme finds freedom as an observer of modern day life

The Stories Hands Tell

Alex Cruceru discusses the power of hands in a photograph

Robbie McIntosh on Street Photography

Robbie shares his love for beach shooting along with some amazing oceanside captures

Street Shooters of October 2021

This month we feature the winners and finalists of the first annual Fredricksburg street photography shoot off.

Street Photography Magazine is the journal of street and documentary photography

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