This week’s Member Moment features work by Riley J. Benson, who captures moody moments in everyday life. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
RJB: When I was a server at a restaurant in Pittsburgh I had a crush on my coworker. I knew they did some modeling for fun and I wanted to get to know them more so I started learning photography. Turns out I fell in love with photography instead of my coworker, although we are still dear friends.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
RJB: I’m drawn to subtle, quiet moments of everyday life. If the emotion of a scene resonates with how I’m feeling in that moment, I’m more likely to photograph it. I often chase light, especially when it interacts with the mundane.
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
RJB: The photo of the boat was taken from inside a New York City subway as it passed below. The steel beam and surrounding infrastructure were not intentional, but when I later saw the image, they reshaped how I viewed the image. What began as a quick reaction became a reflection on the divide between luxury and working class life. The beam, railing, and fencing act as both physical and symbolic boundaries, positioning the everyday viewer on the outside, looking in.
PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?
PL: Do you have any goals or ideas of how you want to grow this collection of photographs?
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