Shot on the Street

In 1976, after shooting black & white on the streets for six years, I began to experiment with color films. For a social realist the gathering of information is all important and color is vital in this pursuit. The color of light at different times of day, how things appear under artificial and natural light, skin coloration, the color choices of ethnic and social classes and male and female, all combine to form the narrative of my photographs. These subtleties, no matter how slight, are of consequence.

“Shot on the Street” refers not only to the images having been taken on the street, but more importantly, to the psychological effect of the street. It is a place where races of people and social classes converge and vie for space and mobility with ever-increasing urbanism. It can excite, anger, defeat and inspire. The street’s influence and energy never ceases. It is not only felt outside, but permeates the interiors of its structures and minds of its inhabitants.

~Patrick D. Pagnano