Bored Panda reached out to Bryan Stokely, a renowned street photographer based in New York, to delve into his approach and experiences in capturing the essence of city life through his lens. Stokely, known for his skill in seizing perfectly timed moments, shared insights into his creative process and challenges.
Bryan emphasized the role of observation and luck in street photography. "I just try to be observant. Sometimes things just fall into place and other times you have to kind of seek that out, but it’s a lot of just luck and observation," he explained.
On training his eye, Stokely highlighted the vibrancy of New York and the importance of studying human behavior. He mentioned, "New York is always interesting so there’s no shortage of content. But you just have to pay attention and study human behavior."
Discussing the difficulties of using a phone for photography, he said, "I lean into them. I think I am more creative when I have constraints, so I try to work within the limitations of the phone." He also shared his technique for discreet photography, which has been impacted by the shift to wireless headphones.
The photographer looks for moments with amusement or tension. "My favorite photos have some tension or contrast that connects the central figures to someone or something around them," he stated, revealing his focus on narrative elements in his work.
Over the years, Stokely has incorporated more natural elements into his photography. Residing near Prospect Park, he has discovered that nature offers as many intriguing moments as the city. "It’s been fun trying to capture that," he reflected, indicating a broadening of his photographic perspective.
