Nod of Recognition is a series of portraits and street scenes of strangers captured on the streets of New York. I walk, observe, and photograph people, following the path of light as it moves around the city.
I use the light and composition to frame the subject in this found setting. I attempt to capture authentic moments when my subject is unaware of my presence. I see something or someone that grabs my attention and I make a shot and move on my way. A busy street corner is a great space to stop for a while and observe and make images as a scene evolves. Sometimes I get caught and a subject will give me that nod of recognition at the moment of the shot or after I press the shutter.
I often go out with no expectations of subject matter other than looking for a moment, which elicits some emotion that I respond to with the subject/s, it is mainly driven by an internal signal that connects me to the subject or situation. I am drawn to creating layered scenes as well as up close candid portraits. I try to respect the subjects that I photograph. Experimentation keeps me in the moment. People show themselves on the street the way they want others to perceive them. I capture an image to memorialize the moment, which I recognize is real for the subject as well as myself. The people in my photographs all project a characteristic, gesture, or physical trait that I identify as part of my own story. This series is a composite of pieces of my life– a self-portrait.
B Jane Levine was raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, a short bus ride from New York City. She has a PhD in Biochemistry from Columbia University, but left the field of molecular biology research to raise her family. After leaving research, she took an interest in photography and began taking classes at ICP and other online platforms. She further honed her skills and vision through many photography trips all around the world. Her photography spans many genres including street photography, landscape photography and long exposure cityscapes. Currently her focus is an ongoing series depicting urban tales, which has evolved to include both candid portraits, scenes on the corner and reflections of city life. [Official Website]
