012: Between the Covers: Figments from the Real World by Garry Winogrand

Between the Covers: Figments from the Real World by Garry Winogrand

There’s something about Garry Winogrand’s photography that hits different. It’s raw, it’s chaotic, and it’s just real. Figments from the Real World isn’t just another photography book—it’s like stepping into his brain, seeing life through his lens. Winogrand didn’t just document the world; he dissected it, made you pause, and asked you to really look.

He wasn’t out here taking “pretty” pictures, and that’s what makes his work resonate. Winogrand photographed like life was an unscripted movie, every frame was messy, loud, and full of characters. Whether it was a random moment in New York or a quiet scene at the zoo, he wasn’t trying to clean it up or make it perfect. He let the imperfection shine, and somehow, that made it perfect.

It reminds me of why I’m drawn to street photography. It’s not about the most polished image; it’s about the feeling, the way it pulls you into a moment, even if you don’t know what’s happening.

Winogrand taught me to trust my instincts. Flipping through this book, you can see how he leaned into the unpredictable. His timing was wild, like he knew exactly when to press the shutter without overthinking it.

But here’s the thing: his work also makes you question. He doesn’t hand you the answers. There’s a sense of “figure it out for yourself” in his images that keeps you coming back to them.

For me, this book isn’t just inspiration, it’s permission. Permission to embrace the chaos, to stop obsessing over the perfect shot, and to let the streets tell their own stories.

If you’re about that street photography life or just love visuals that make you feel something, you need Figments from the Real World. Winogrand’s work is a reminder to stay curious, stay present, and trust the process.

Want to see how I’ve embraced street photography? Check out my gallery here

011: Resetting My Focus: Mastering the Craft of Photography

There’s a rhythm to creativity, one that demands a quiet mind and an open heart. Lately, I’ve realized how easy it is to fall out of step, to let the noise of the world drown out the art itself.

As a photographer, my work is rooted in seeing. Not just looking, but seeing, truly noticing the beauty in what others might overlook. It’s a gift, a blessing, to have an eye that interprets the world in its own language. But sometimes, that gift gets tangled in distractions, chasing the wrong goals, worrying about the opinions of others, or measuring progress by anything other than the work itself.

This is my reset.

It’s a chance to clear the clutter and return to the essence of photography. To find joy in the way light wraps around a face, the way texture lives in the details, and the way shadows tell their own quiet stories. It’s about reconnecting with the craft, the lines, tones, and emotions that make an image sing.

For me, this reset is also about honoring the responsibility that comes with being a Black photographer. To create images is to document, to preserve, and to push the art form forward. There’s a weight to that, one that requires intention and respect for the moment unfolding in front of the lens. It’s not just about the photographs, it’s about the process, the patience, and the purpose.

In this season of clarity, I’m letting go of anything that doesn’t serve the work. Opportunities that are for me will find me, and the ones that aren’t will fade as they should. My only goal is to create, to immerse myself in the process, and to trust that the results will follow.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about learning to listen to the image, to the story it wants to tell, and allowing myself to be a vessel for it. As a creative, there’s no greater blessing than to see the world differently and to share that vision with others.

Photography is a gift, and mastering it is my purpose. Not for applause, not for validation, but for the sheer love of the craft. This is my opportunity to reset, to create freely, and to carry the torch forward in a way that honors those who came before me while inspiring those who come next.

This is the work.

-Stan