The Distance Between Us – Beyond the Frame 93/
Street photography and human connection: using a camera to start conversations, featuring Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York and a portrait of a young street vendor in India's most sacred city.
Ajay, Varanasi
Let me share a secret: photography is really just my excuse to speak with strangers.
A camera is a secret weapon that can dissolve the natural suspicion we all carry. A camera gives an immediate explanation for why we’re breaking a social norm: walking towards a stranger whilst making eye contact and smiling.
“I’m not crazy – I’m just a photographer.”
Most often, my conversations with strangers are about simple, seemingly unremarkable things. We’re all paying our bills, thinking about family, watching movies, meeting friends, planning for the future. Wherever I am in the world, conversations revolve around the same universal concerns. I find that reassuring.
I met Ajay in Varanasi, India’s most sacred city. Ajay works in his family shop during the day and sells postcards and henna on the street each evening.
“I like Bollywood. I watch every Sunday because Sunday is my holiday… For three hours: romance and funny… I like it because Bollywood is good for the mind, good for happiness.” – Ajay
I recorded some of our conversation and learned that Ajay’s mother makes “ten different kinds of trousers: cargo trousers, Ali-Baba trousers, fisherman’s trousers, Aladdin trousers, simple trousers, patchwork trousers…” and, memorably, that Ajay has three brothers, “Micky, Ricky and Nicky.”
Conversation with Ajay in Varanasi
I have hundreds of similar audio recordings, short but delightful snippets of conversations with strangers. When I’m too old to travel, perhaps I’ll listen to them whilst I’m walking the dog, a personal podcast of moments from around the world.
Humans of New York
For more than 15 years, Brandon Stanton has shown the diversity of New York City through his photographs and interviews.
My husband had a sudden heart attack a few months ago. It was just a few blocks from here. They called me in to identify his body and then just let me walk right out onto 7th Avenue. I felt so lost. My friends were wonderful and supportive but eventually everyone moves on with their lives… I named her Grace because I think my husband sent her to me. She’s my first dog. She’s been pure joy. – HONY
It began with green accents. I’d mix green into my nail polish, and put green streaks in my hair… Children are always bringing me green things, and dropping letters into my mailbox… It really makes a big difference in life, not to be closed up. It’s a way of life. Whether you become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a green lady, you’re accomplishing what’s in your heart. – HONY
New Yorkers often reveal intimate stories – a reflection, no doubt, of the respectful energy Stanton brings to each encounter. He speaks about his approach briefly in this clip.
I just missed the Dear New York exhibit at Grand Central Station last year. It was perhaps the most viewed public art exhibition in history.
The first thing I noticed was a tremor. I’m a computer programmer and I kept accidentally hitting the shift key. Then I started to lose my sense of smell. And finally came the depression… That’s when I learned I had Parkinson’s. Over the years my tremors got worse. My voice got quieter. I had to quit working… I couldn’t express any emotion. My daughter grew up without seeing me smile… Then a few months ago I had an experimental surgery. They inserted a wire in my head that stimulates the brain with electricity. Now all my emotions are coming back. I’m more talkative. I have more energy. I’ve cried more in the last few months than I have in the past thirty years. And for the first time in her entire life, my daughter can finally see me smile. – HONY
You’ll find many more photos and stories on the Humans of New York Instagram page.
“Life rarely presents fully finished photographs. An image evolves, often from a single strand of visual interest – a distant horizon, a moment of light, a held expression.”
– Sam Abell
The Wider Angle
BERLIN: Elise Blanchard’s photo of ten year-old Hajira, studying at home in Afghanistan, is the winning image in the UNICEF Photo of the Year competition.
The annual contest, organised by UNICEF Germany, highlights images that show the “personality and living conditions of children worldwide”. An exhibition of all the winning images is currently open at the Willy Brandt Haus in Berlin until 26 April 2026. You can also view the winning images on the Guardian website.
LONDON: A repeat recommendation – the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House from 17 April to 4 May.
I’ve been sent a code: EASTER20, for 20% discount on tickets until Monday 6 April.
NEW YORK: Sabiha Çimen is joining with Mary Ellen Mark, exhibiting images of girlhood.
A subtle thread connects the two photographers through an unexpected story: a girl named Emine, photographed by Mark in 1965 and later found decades on by Çimen. This encounter bridges past and present, underscoring how a single image can extend beyond its moment, shaping memory and meaning over time.
The Girls is currently showing at the Howard Greenberg Gallery in New York until 9 May 2026.
Read about Sabiha Çimen’s book Hafiz in Beyond the Frame 41/.
AMSTERDAM: Photojournalist Ed Kashi is returning to the Netherlands for a Photography Bootcamp, teaching the principles of visual storytelling.
The workshop will consist of a small group of 12 participants and it’s promoted by National Geographic, so expect places to go quickly.
Dates: 20 & 21 June 2026, Cost: 1,995 (Euros, presumably) + accommodation.
ONLINE: Leading picture editors will discuss how they commission work during The Photo Editor’s Perspective.
Anne Farrar, senior photo editor at National Geographic magazine, Quentin Nardi, chief photo editor of Smithsonian magazine, Maura Friedman, a senior photo editor at New York Magazine and others will talk about what they look for in story submissions, how to create a successful pitch and what makes a strong portfolio.
11 April 2026, 9:00 pm GMT via Zoom. $20
Even if you’re not a professional photographer seeking commercial opportunities, this promises to be an interesting, educational discussion. Plus it supports the Social Documentary Network, which is a good thing.
And finally…
Listening to the recording of my brief conversation with Ajay and flicking through the Humans of New York stories has reminded me how important connecting with people is to our wellbeing.
It’s not always easy, especially now, in the age of social media, where virtual interactions have, to a degree, supplanted face-to-face interactions. But I think it just means we have to try a little harder to maintain our in-person connections. And if all else fails, pick up a camera. It helps.
I sometimes hear people complain that they meet a lot of weirdos on public transport. But I’ve been speaking to people on buses, trains and planes for years and I’ve never met one. – Joe Wilkinson (Comedian)
Go well.
PS – MPB, the place where I buy and sell camera gear, are kindly sponsoring this edition. If you click their advert above, it will let them know that Beyond the Frame readers are engaged – and also very handsome. Thank you.
✤ Creative Inspiration
Lateral-thinking prompts, inspired by Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies, designed with photographers in mind.
Read more and learn how to use my Oblique Strategies for Photographers.