Stories through the lens.
by: Jared Gigliotti
Old and new. Coming from a country and a society where over 50 percent of marriages tragically end in divorce, this photograph was an absolute pleasure to make. Love is an exciting, real, binding, and yet fragile emotion. If only we can learn how to hold on instead of let go of people places and even things that we truly love, the world would be a better place.
Have you ever heard the expression "respect your elders"? Of course you have. I think that not only should we show them respect, but also lend them our time and attention. Not only can they give good information and advice, but they always have amazing stories to tell. I love speaking with older people, but sadly most people my age don't give them the time of day. Stop and listen to what our elders have to say. You might learn something, but at the very least you might be pleasantly surprised with an amazing story.
One night I was walking around taking street portraits when this couple caught my eye. I approached them and we talked for a bit, and I asked if I could take their photo. They agreed and posed for a few shots. The thing is that I didn't like any of the posed ones. This is the only candid shot I got and it makes me smile. I can feel love emanating from this negative. True love is a rarity these days. Hold on to those you truly love.
Tempe Town Lake, a manmade oasis in the heart of Arizona State University campus. Thousands of people flock here every year for the beach park, live music events and festivals, the iron man competition, among many other things. Although it often doesn't smell the best, and its usually a pretty crowded area, it remains one of the most beautiful places in the Phoenix valley. Even through its downfalls and shortcomings, it is a small break from the city, especially in the vast Arizona desert. Water is a rarity here, so people tend to flock to it.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a legacy? An era that was, in law enforcement? Or an oppressive regime? Whatever your stance on Arpaio, he was known as "America's toughest sheriff", and for good reason. Throughout his twenty-four years as sheriff of Maricopa county, sheriff Joe took strict stances on things such as, drinking and driving, illegal immigration, and animal cruelty, just to mention a few. Residents of Maricopa county, either loved the man, or hated him. He brought a whole new face to law enforcement. A face that some people believe is what law enforcement should look like.
Rome Italy, one of my favorite places on planet earth. Its a city full of art, intrigue, mystery, and good food. I made this image in Rome and it was completely unplanned. I had been photographing in this street performers direction and he thought I was taking photos of him. He then began yelling at me in Italian and demanding money. Feeling guilty, I told him I would give him money if he posed for one more photo. This fantastic image was the result of a small spat I had on the streets of Roma, the mother land of my grandparents.
Public transportation in Europe seems to be the method of choice to get around town. With such small streets and limited parking, I can't say I really blame people. I made this image while waiting at a bus stop near the Vatican. I found it interesting that such a diverse group of people could wait and engage in conversation. It may not seem like a huge deal, but in the United States where I'm from, strangers don't usually converse, or even stand near each other while waiting on anything really. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
The Coronado Hotel in downtown Phoenix has always captivated me in some fashion. Whenever I'm downtown, I find myself snapping a photo of this building in some manner. Its tucked away on one of the many side streets of Phoenix, but its anything but hidden. It stands just north of ASU downtown campus. It is seemingly forgotten by most, and it caters to people on the lower side of the financial spectrum. To me, it is a beautiful original building in downtown, the weathered brick walls and neon sign claiming to have color TV in the rooms just add to my intrigue.
Closing time in the old city of Jerusalem Israel. Its a quiet time in the evening. The tourists have all retired to their hotels and hostels, the shops begin turning off lights and closing heavy metal doors, there is a calming yet frightening atmosphere. These are the moments I live for as a photographer, no people, no hustle and bustle, just mystery and observation in such an iconic and interesting city. This young man couldn't have been more than eleven or twelve years old, and he was closing down what I could only assume was his family's shop. I turned the corner and saw him standing in the dimly lit corridor under what seemed to be a perfectly placed light. This was the shot I had been searching for.
I've been making photographs since I was a young child. I will shoot just about any subject, but I have fallen in love with street photography. Why? Because it's raw, real, and it's the study of humanity. If the human race was to all but disappear tomorrow, out of all of our accomplishments, buildings, etc. the most important history left would be about us as the human race. Street photography allows us to capture and record us as unposed, candid, human beings and it's beautiful.
Every time I go back and revisit this negative, I am always reminded to smile. This man was homeless and probably had nothing more than his dogs and the clothes on his back, but he still encouraged people to smile. It really makes me look at all the things I have to be grateful for, and the good things FAR outweigh the bad. So smile today, you are blessed in more ways than you might think.
Isn't it funny how pets and animals seem to have their own personality? I guess that's how us as humans can so easily befriend a fury friend. I like to think this little guy was upset at the fact he couldn't buy any of these shoes, so he decided to wait for his human outside.