E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

There has been a number of threads and posts, lately about street photography and shooting stranger on the street, etc. In these topics, there were mentions of the province, approaching people, and the issue of shooing in "dangerous" neighbourhoods.

If you are interested in street photography, especially in urban areas, you need to Google this photograher, Rene Guillermo Gelpi, and read his books.

This guy is about my age and was raised in my old neighbourhood in New York City. His work came to my attention, years ago, when he was written up in Popular Photograhy Magazine. He was documenting the inner-city condition and many of his subjects and neighbours were kinda" tough customers", some were gang members, who ordinarily would not want to be photographed. Being a kid with a camera from the neighbourhood, he gained their confidence and the result was some incredible "portraits" of not only the people but the conditions and culture of the times.

He went on to become an award-winning artist/photojournalist.

Those of us who study the history of photography are familiar with the work of the"Dust Bowl Photograhers" Farm Security Administration (FSA), a small group of talented photographers, including Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Marion Post Wolcott, John Vachon, Russell Lee, and Arthur Rothstein. Famous street Henri Cartier-Bresson, Saul Leiter, Robert Doisneauu, Andre Kertesz, Garry Winogrand, Brassai-Gyula Halasz, etc. Perhaps Gelpi is not as well on as all of the aforementioned but he must have been influenced by all of them and combined that influence with his great talent.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Only found three of his pics on google. Hi book is unavailable. Doesn't have his bio on wiki or anywhere else I could find.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

https://ralphphil.blogspot.com/2008/12/rene-gelpi.html

The above link has some info formation.

Sad news: " 2008-12-31 · Sofia_Gelpi@yahoo.com Reply Unknown July 19, 2018 at 8:48 PM Rene Guillermo Gelpi passed away at Kings County Medical Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, on July 8, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease".

There are some books on the used market. I will try to find some images. I was not aware that he was seriously ill and had passed way.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

When I was an art student at Pratt in the mid-seventies, I used a photo lab in Manhatten, Jack Ward Color services. Reni Gelpi was the late-night manager. When I first encountered him, I recognized him from a magazine feature about him and his work. I was so thrilled to meet him. Over that year, I talked with him about street photography and photography in general. It was terrific to hear his stories. I learned quite a bit. It was an education that school could never have provided. My avatar, you see, was me back then.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I enjoyed your youtube interview and seeing your paintings in the video and on your web page. When you said you never can tell what will happen when you put the paint on that really brought back memories. And when you said the light comes from within the painting that struck a chord as well. Decades ago I tried my hand with oil painting. Putting the paint on and trying to get a 3D image in two dimensions was the most challenging part. Here's one I did in a painting class I took. The water was one of those happy accidents you spoke of.

To me video is more of a challenge than still pictures. Like painting with oils the finished product is in a state of movement and change until it's done.

(Download)

Gourmand Loc: Dallas

E.L., I'm not looking for anyone's snark, but appreciate your postings and would like to hear your thoughts on Joel Meyerowitz. Thanks.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Why Snark? Myerowitz is a great photographer. His photos are great.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Joel Meyerowitz is a great photographer. His work is not confined to street photography. I especially like his coverage o the aftermath of 911.

Having been born and raised in New York City, I have an affinity for all the photographers that have interpreted the culture, the environment, and the pulse of the city as they saw it in their era.

I am not an art critic. I like to see the work of many iconic and also little-known photographers. I prefer not to "sit in judgment" of anyone's work. I'm a nuts and bolts kida photographer and like to solve technical problems. I am impressed when I see work that is done under impromptu or sometimes difficult circumstances like some aspects of street photography, and ye can apply fine technique and the savvy usage of LIGHT to capture the mood and tell the story, thus- my remarks about Gelpi.

No snark! Perhaps that is an overly-used means of communication, at times, on this site- and an overly-used word too!

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Hi Bob
Thank you for taking a look at my video. I appreciate that very much. I hope you’re still painting. Painting gives to me more than I can say in words. And I can spout lots of words on the subject.

Be well
Peter