#newyorkstreetphoto

[opticnervecollective]

Alexandra Avlonitis

Photography, which I began to study and practice about seven years ago, was never on my artistic radar. I had been a fine art painter for years, but at one point found myself stuck without inspiration or direction. A friend told me about the class she was taking at the International Center of Photography here in New York City. I was open to something new, thinking this might ignite a creative spark and so, in short order, I enrolled. 

I quickly came to realize that the fundamental elements of painting–light, composition, and color–were identical to those of photography. And that whether inside the studio or out, the artistic tool box was the same.

My street photography class at ICP was a revelation and set me on a course that was deeply personal and satisfying. As a native New Yorker, I was always captivated by the never-ending human drama unfolding in the public sphere. Immersing myself in that world with a camera in place of a paint brush, I am guided by a quote from the photographer Brassaï: “Photography has one leg in painting and one leg in life but the two things must be combined.”

You can see more of my work at: Instagram:  www.instagram.com/alexandraavlonitis

Website:  www.alexandraavlonitis.com

[iziseb]

AFRO-PUNK IN NEW YORK

[margitzs]

Looking at you! (In the neighborhood of Soho Gallery) #myobservations #minimalist #artsyphoto #exploreeverything #artofvisuals #artsystreetpic #walkingaroundnewyork #mycity_life #newyorkstreetphoto #abstractexpressionism #nighyscene #magicalshot

[opticnervecollective]

POTM - Behind the Shot!

The winner of our 'Not All There' competition is Alexandra Avlonitis, a New York-based street photographer. The theme was chosen from suggestions we got through a call on Instagram, and came from @nattydorks. We were looking for photos where something is hidden, missing, incomplete, removed, or should be there but isn't.

This photo from Alexandra really captured the theme best, without relying on cropping or clichés. It almost appears like a magic trick, with the person performing some kind of vanishing act. The amount of detail and strong lighting conditions also add to the quality of the photo. Congratulations Alexandra!

Passing Cloud, NYC, 2020

We caught up with Alexandra to hear more about this fantastic winning shot:

“The day this photo was taken was a warm and brilliantly sunny November day. I headed downtown to Chinatown, a favorite neighborhood for shooting. Exiting the subway, I wandered the streets waiting, as all street photographers do, for some street magic to happen. I was stopped in my tracks by a white puff of a cloud floating past a mostly obscured figure standing inside a darkened truck door. It was there, and then gone. Happily, I was ready with my camera.”

If you’d like to see more of Alexandra’s work:

Instagram:  @alexandraavlonitis Website:  www.alexandraavlonitis.com

Congratulations again, Alexandra!