How do you create when your medium requires interaction with strangers
What happens when your career becomes your whole identity
February 3, 2021
Sweet Soul
February 5, 2021
HOW DO YOU CREATE WHEN YOUR MEDIUM REQUIRES INTERACTION WITH STRANGERS?
In my last post, Idi cussed career,identity, and the interconnectivity between the two. During social distancing, I've had conversat ions with my peers to get their viewpoint. We also discussed work and what their daily lives consist of since we began social distancing. My next posts will feature people I've known and collaborated with for the past ten years. They are talented and passionate about their craft, and they are even better people. I'm grateful to have them in my life as friends AND collaborators.
I caught up with my friend and frequent collaborator, Devin Stinson, to talk about his process of street photography he refers to as "candid portraiture". Devin also works as a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles. I've worked with Devin on campaigns for Gatorade, Oakley, Muller Yogurt, Toyota, among other well-known brands. I think of him as an exceptional commercial photographer, but I've al ways been fascinated by his candid portraiture photography. If a picture is worth a thousand words, Devin's images provide a window into the soul of his subjects.
HOW DO YOU CREATE WHEN YOUR MEDIUM REQUIRES INTERACTION WITH STRANGERS?
In my last post, Idi cussed career,identity, and the interconnectivity between the two. During social distancing, I've had conversat ions with my peers to get their viewpoint. We also discussed work and what their daily lives consist of since we began social distancing. My next posts will feature people I've known and collaborated with for the past ten years. They are talented and passionate about their craft, and they are even better people. I'm grateful to have them in my life as friends AND collaborators.
I caught up with my friend and frequent collaborator, Devin Stinson, to talk about his process of street photography he refers to as "candid portraiture". Devin also works as a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles. I've worked with Devin on campaigns for Gatorade, Oakley, Muller Yogurt, Toyota, among other well-known brands. I think of him as an exceptional commercial photographer, but I've al ways been fascinated by his candid portraiture photography. If a picture is worth a thousand words, Devin's images provide a window into the soul of his subjects.
His most recent work in Variety , The Guardian, and the New York, is part of a marketing campaign for the Netflix documentary film, LA Originals. The film, which premiered on Netflix in April, examines photographer Estevan Oriol and tattoo artist Mr. Cartoon's friendship, collaborations, and influence on the 90s hip hopculture in Los Angeles. Working on the film as a B Camera operator gave him personal access,and the opportunity to capture images of the main characters and celebrity interview subjects.
Devin and I've know each other for ten years, but I've never asked him about his process for candid portraiture and how he approaches strangers. Sometimes they don't speak English, and in most cases, he doesn't speak their language, but he convinces them to let him take their pictures. Leading up to the release of the LA Originals film, he began posting photos taken during the production, on instragram. The images were inspiring and I thought this would be a great timr to take a peek inside his mind. Our conversation covered his background, his discovery of photography,the organic fusion of photography with his passion for travel, and his recent collaboration with a mixed media artist.
"I grew up in an affluent town in a not so affluent family."
Devin grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where his parents owned and still operate a hair salon. Hanging around the salon as a child sparked his curiosity about people. He developed what he considers a natural ability to talk to anyone. Some of his childhood friends had the means to travel outside the US, and hearing their accounts lead to a desire to experience different .He developed an affinity for Southeast Asia years before being able to travel them. In high school, he discovered his love for photography and made a conscious decision that as soon as he saved enough money he would out and see the world.
His most recent work in Variety , The Guardian, and the New York, is part of a marketing campaign for the Netflix documentary film, LA Originals. The film, which premiered on Netflix in April, examines photographer Estevan Oriol and tattoo artist Mr. Cartoon's friendship, collaborations, and influence on the 90s hip hopculture in Los Angeles. Working on the film as a B Camera operator gave him personal access,and the opportunity to capture images of the main characters and celebrity interview subjects.
Devin and I've know each other for ten years, but I've never asked him about his process for candid portraiture and how he approaches strangers. Sometimes they don't speak English, and in most cases, he doesn't speak their language, but he convinces them to let him take their pictures. Leading up to the release of the LA Originals film, he began posting photos taken during the production, on instragram. The images were inspiring and I thought this would be a great timr to take a peek inside his mind. Our conversation covered his background, his discovery of photography,the organic fusion of photography with his passion for travel, and his recent collaboration with a mixed media artist.
"I grew up in an affluent town in a not so affluent family."
Devin grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where his parents owned and still operate a hair salon. Hanging around the salon as a child sparked his curiosity about people. He developed what he considers a natural ability to talk to anyone. Some of his childhood friends had the means to travel outside the US, and hearing their accounts lead to a desire to experience different .He developed an affinity for Southeast Asia years before being able to travel them. In high school, he discovered his love for photography and made a conscious decision that as soon as he saved enough money he would out and see the world.
"I got in the habit of taking my camera everywhere"
I thought Devin had a magical process for getting strangers to let their guard down. He doesn't have or use a specific approach;he reverts to being naturally curious about people. "If find someone interesting,I just want to know more about them." He likes to observe people until the right moment comes along. If they are in the mid-dle of something, he'll wait until they can give him their attention. He also doesn't try and sneak someone's photo. If they're unaware and he sees the moment, he'll take the picture, but if they're aware of his presence, being transparent makes for a more positive experience and a better portrait.
"I don't think about it strategically"
Living in Los Angeles provided Devin with opportunities to shoot portraitures at events centered around issues that he aligns with, such as; climate change, the women 's march, or march for our lives. He enjoys mingling with large groups, working with a single lens, usually a 50mm prime or 24-70 zoom. Using only one lens helped him walk a different path. His reasoning is, "If you have everything, you may lean on your greatest hits." His preferred practice of using a single lens forces him to be observant and catch scenarios; he wouldn't have that same opportunity if he's has to switch lenses. What he may lose by only using a single lens, he makes up by capturing images that would not have been captured otherwise.
"I got in the habit of taking my camera everywhere"
I thought Devin had a magical process for getting strangers to let their guard down. He doesn't have or use a specific approach;he reverts to being naturally curious about people. "If find someone interesting,I just want to know more about them." He likes to observe people until the right moment comes along. If they are in the mid-dle of something, he'll wait until they can give him their attention. He also doesn't try and sneak someone's photo. If they're unaware and he sees the moment, he'll take the picture, but if they're aware of his presence, being transparent makes for a more positive experience and a better portrait.
"I don't think about it strategically"
Living in Los Angeles provided Devin with opportunities to shoot portraitures at events centered around issues that he aligns with, such as; climate change, the women 's march, or march for our lives. He enjoys mingling with large groups, working with a single lens, usually a 50mm prime or 24-70 zoom. Using only one lens helped him walk a different path. His reasoning is, "If you have everything, you may lean on your greatest hits." His preferred practice of using a single lens forces him to be observant and catch scenarios; he wouldn't have that same opportunity if he's has to switch lenses. What he may lose by only using a single lens, he makes up by capturing images that would not have been captured otherwise.
"Working In The Midst of Covid"
One of the central parts of our conversation focused on working or the lack of work during social distancing. Devin has chosen not to shoot any portraitures,in observance of Los Angeles's stay in place order. Instead, he's collaborating with artist Sahara Novotna. She's painting on some of his photos from the production of LA Originals and trying to help him transition in to the art photography space. I've been bugging him for a while to try and put together a gallery show, so I'm happy to see that him taking steps in that direction.
I'm excited to see where this new collaboration will take his work,but I can't wait to see how the post Covid-19 setting will influence his street photography. I have faith that as we emerge from our current challenges, people will literally and figurative lyre move their masks and show us the light in their souls. He will bean excellent conduit for something positive.
Check out more of Devin's commercial and candid portraiture work on his website at https://www.devjnstjnson.com.
In my next post, I'll introduce you to my friend Joseph Silva. He's one of the most creative people I know. We discuss why it's a good time to be a "Jack of all trades and a master of none."
"Working In The Midst of Covid"
One of the central parts of our conversation focused on working or the lack of work during social distancing. Devin has chosen not to shoot any portraitures,in observance of Los Angeles's stay in place order. Instead, he's collaborating with artist Sahara Novotna. She's painting on some of his photos from the production of LA Originals and trying to help him transition in to the art photography space. I've been bugging him for a while to try and put together a gallery show, so I'm happy to see that him taking steps in that direction.
I'm excited to see where this new collaboration will take his work,but I can't wait to see how the post Covid-19 setting will influence his street photography. I have faith that as we emerge from our current challenges, people will literally and figurative lyre move their masks and show us the light in their souls. He will bean excellent conduit for something positive.
Check out more of Devin's commercial and candid portraiture work on his website at https://www.devjnstjnson.com.
In my next post, I'll introduce you to my friend Joseph Silva. He's one of the most creative people I know. We discuss why it's a good time to be a "Jack of all trades and a master of none."
