This week’s Member Moment features work by Mark Kriegh , who takes his cameras to the streets, focusing on architecture and people. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!

PL: What got you interested in photography?

MK: As someone who studied filmmaking in college, I've always had an interest in photography as an extension of that. It wasn't until I took a History of Photography class at CCP that I really feel in love with the Photography and discovered what makes it special as a medium. Just as video is defined by motion and it's connection with sound, photography is defined by it's ability to capture the single moment, still and silent.

PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?

MK: I primarily shoot with a Contax RTS3 now, but I hesitate to say what camera I shoot on because it's still pretty affordable for the features that it has. I learned to shoot film on a Canon AE-1 and I still love it. I just got my first point and shoot at a thrift store and I've been loving the results so far.

PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?

MK: Lowkey, it doesn't matter what I take a photo of. That's not exactly true, but I just really love the way art is able to capture a mood or idea and bring you into that world. Photography is about capturing and capturing that moment or vibe for me. The best photos are the ones you feel like you can just walk into, the photographer's world they are inviting you in to. As extension of that, it's a place for you as the viewer to inhabit.

That all being said, I really like taking photos of things with interesting shapes and repeating lines, mostly found on architecture. I love a good, weird, portrait that reveals something about the subject. Just like finding the perfect pair of pants at the thrift store, you gotta keep digging.

PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?

MK: The photo selected for PhotoLounge's best of 2025 gallery, the building with vines growing up the side of it, was taken while I was filming something in Connecticut. I honestly really didn't like the state, apologies to anyone from there, but the people and environment were not what I would call welcoming. While I was there I learned about the state's history as an industrial town and how shifting manufacturing out of state left a lot of people and towns to dry up. I was driving through a town I did not know the name of and stopped to get gas, and saw this building was across the street. This building perfectly captured that history to me, despite it likely being abandoned, something about it still felt welcoming. Maybe it still had something to say, or maybe it was just the way the light was hitting it. Either way, I had to take the shot.

PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?

MK: People hate on digital photography, but it does have it's strengths, the primary one is not being limited by how many shots are on the roll. When shooting film I've still found myself wasting film by taking multiple shots of the same thing, with different timing or angles, only to get it developed and realize the first shot was the best one. I should probably trust my instincts a bit more, but somebody has to keep PhotoLounge in business.

That all being said, I find the process of finding the shot incredibly rewarding and my favorite aspect of photography currently. It's always worth it to be patient or take a detour to capture something. My favorite shots I take are the ones that feel delicate, where slightly different framing or timing would disrupt the balance of the shot completely. Street photographers are great at capturing interesting people at the right moment, but I think that can extend to other elements like weather or time of day and I've using that to find moments that way too.

PL: Do you have any goals or ideas of how you want to grow this collection of photographs?

MK: Right now I'm just enjoying exploring photography and shooting film, and building a portfolio from that. I'm hoping to be able to actually make some money from photography some day. I just started a photo series where I take photos of people's fences so I'm not sure that will be any time soon.

Every day, Club Members take exceptional pictures. If you are not a Film Club Member yet what are you waiting for? Join today to support the photo community in Philly and to start saving money on film processing!

Member Moment: Mark Kriegh

This week’s Member Moment features work by Mark Kriegh, who takes his cameras to the streets, focusing on architecture and people. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!