Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
"There is something about the photograph that is inferior to the actual experience that you are photographing."
Alan Watts
Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
Staten Island, New York City. 2017
Source: stephenobisanya.com
Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
I just want to do work that is food for my soul and touches other people's souls. That's it! Still planting the seeds though. Patience is rewarding.
Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
Staten Island, New York City. 2017.
Source: stephenobisanya.com
Context matters.
"I point [my camera] at the story. I'm not trying to characterize the people in the film; the actors do that. I'm trying to frame them in an appropriate emotional context for the scenes."
Conrad Hall
You can be very close to someone without knowing ANYTHING about them.
Stephen Obisanya
Million Man March. Washington D.C. 2015
Source: stephenobisanya.com
The photographer is filled with doubt. Nothing will soothe him.
Raymond Depardon
Mariners Harbor. Staten Island, NYC 2015
I grew up in Mariners Harbor after spending the first ten years of my life in Lagos, Nigeria. Although the change in pace and culture was far different from what I had grown accustomed to back home, the “Harbor” quickly became my new home. I spent my early teenage years building friendships and passing time with people in the neighborhood from African Americans to Albanians and Puerto Ricans. Scenes like the one in this image were moments I always looked forward to—hot summer days, school recessed, and nothing but a couple of months of leisure on the horizon. Can’t say that I don’t miss it. But nowadays, I’ve found a way to relive it all again by photographing the kids that ride their bikes, skate in parks and play on the streets with no worry in sight. It brings back that same excitement and freedom that I once felt as a kid.
Source: stephenobisanya.com