27 May 2008

invited guest: Kathleen Fonseca




People excite me, the streets thrill me. For me, street photography is all about the people. I don't have to travel to a different country, or even a different city, to shoot. The street could be any street in almost any city, Park benches, corner stores, automobiles, trees, sidewalks; all could be anywhere in the world. The street is a stage. The background scenery is irrelevant. It is the drama I have come to see and record. The people and the photographer inhabit a stage, for moments performing their unique script and then someone else takes our place. Lives and relationships overlap, strangers meet, separate, smile, frown, bump into each other. The performance continues with endless acts and scenes, prop and costume changes, lighting and weather variations. I am fascinated endlessly by people whose expression or physical presence is very strong or whose interactions convey some essential human truth or universal behavior.

I feel a great deal of affection and respect for the subjects of my photos. When they knowingly and generously give of themselves for my photograph my joy is boundless and our connection, though momentary, is quite complete. When they are simply and candidly themselves I quietly record the moment and withdraw, cherishing the breathtaking authenticity I have just witnessed. I am honored to capture and preserve these moments in their lives. These people are real, were here, I saw and confirmed their unique performance before the curtain fell and the lights went out.
> I am not making a social statement. If there must be a statement that I am trying to convey it's our oneness as human beings, our brotherhood and sisterhood and that I reach into a culture that is not my own to connect on the streets of San José, Costa Rica.

More of Kathleen's work is here

9 comments:

Rhonda Boocock said...

Great photos!!!! Funny thing, before I saw the title of the post I thought they were Bea's pictures. Good to see you here, Kathleen!

Anonymous said...

Your text about the way you photograph and think is wonderful to read Kathleen. There is so much warmth, humour and life in your photos. A great show! Thanks for being here with us!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for letting us know your beautiful street photography work that I'm very close to! Your site worth a visit!!!

Anonymous said...

great to see your work here Kathie, I think it's a wonderful selection too. :) see you later

Sehraeuber said...

excellent seen and taken ... great street shots!

Anonymous said...

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments on my work. It was a very big honor to be invited to this terrific blog by Bea..i want to thank her for her patience and encouragement while i got photos together for her and to also thank Ulf for sponsoring such a special place for photographers. Hello to my old friends Espen and Rhonda and new friends Paolo and Wan. Thanks once again to all for your huge welcome! Kathleen Fonseca~

Mikael said...

Very good and interesting!

Unknown said...

Hi kathie. Its pat decker your family friend. I am withteresa and donna your sisters. We were at marias daughters wedding, sara. Great photos.

Hi k, nice site! Keep it up. Tre

Kathleen, both landshapes and people shots seem to reflect an adventurous sense of wonder. Traveling through those lands is like stepping off the Lost in Space ship, and there seems to be an alien issue in the people shots. All so endlessly compelling. Donna C

Unknown said...

Donna, teresa and pat decker like!