I am a self-taught street and documentary photographer, passionate about capturing the beauty and stories of everyday life. During the weekdays, I work for a leading global e-commerce and tech corporation, but my weekends are devoted to expressing my creativity through photography. The uncertainty and spontaneity of street and documentary photography are what draw me most to these genres. Over the years, documenting people has given me invaluable opportunities to explore the unknown and embrace the diverse realities of human life. I also curate the popular Instagram handle Streets of Calcutta, which showcases the vibrant culture and stories of my city. For me, photography is not just a passion or hobby, it has become an obsession. It has helped me grow personally, allowing me to view life from different perspectives. I believe that even the most mundane scenes can be turned into compelling stories through clean and thoughtful composition. The process of creating street photography is especially exciting for me. There is no control over people’s reactions or who enters or exits the frame, instead I must anticipate and capture fleeting moments as they unfold. This practice has taught me resilience, patience and attentiveness to the small details of life. It has also shaped my perspective, making me more tolerant, empathetic and kind in nature. My work has received recognition both nationally and internationally. My photos have been published in renowned forums, won multiple awards and have been exhibited globally. A special highlight of my journey was when legendary street photographer Joel Meyerowitz praised one of my works, saying, “It is the kind of picture I felt I could live with.” AYANAVA SIL I am a self-taught street and documentary photographer, passionate about capturing the beauty and stories of everyday life. During the weekdays, I work for a leading global e-commerce and tech corporation, but my weekends are devoted to expressing my creativity through photography. The uncertainty and spontaneity of street and documentary photography are what draw me most to these genres. Over the years, documenting people has given me invaluable opportunities to explore the unknown and embrace the diverse realities of human life. I also curate the popular Instagram handle Streets of Calcutta, which showcases the vibrant culture and stories of my city. For me, photography is not just a passion or hobby, it has become an obsession. It has helped me grow personally, allowing me to view life from different perspectives. I believe that even the most mundane scenes can be turned into compelling stories through clean and thoughtful composition. The process of creating street photography is especially exciting for me. There is no control over people’s reactions or who enters or exits the frame, instead I must anticipate and capture fleeting moments as they unfold. This practice has taught me resilience, patience and attentiveness to the small details of life. It has also shaped my perspective, making me more tolerant, empathetic and kind in nature. My work has received recognition both nationally and internationally. My photos have been published in renowned forums, won multiple awards and have been exhibited globally. A special highlight of my journey was when legendary street photographer Joel Meyerowitz praised one of my works, saying, “It is the kind of picture I felt I could live with.” LOCATION Kolkata INDIA CAMERA/S Nikon D5100, Fujifilm XT-200 and One Plus 12 @AYANAVA3 FEATURES //

I was born in New York City where I have spent most of my life. I had a career in clinical psychology, psychoanalysis and university teaching. Just before my 70th birthday I began taking photography classes at The International Center of Photography. I developed a strong interest in candid street photography. Now, thirteen years later, I have been in over eighty group exhibitions, have had four solo shows and have won a number of awards, such as 1st place in the Soho Photo Gallery National Competition in 2015. I was a finalist in the Miami Street Festival in both 2017 and 2018 and Streetfoto San Francisco in 2018. In 2019 I was the winner of both the PDN 'FACES' Awards for self-portraits and the Street Division of the Pollux Awards. I was also a finalist in The London Street Photography Festival. Most recently I was the winner of the 2020 6th Annual Street Shooting Around the World Exhibition at the Los Angeles Center of Photography for best individual photograph. Additionally, in 2020, I was the 3rd Place Winner of Lens Culture Streets. ​My work has been featured in Popular Photography Magazine. PAUL KESSEL I was born in New York City where I have spent most of my life. I had a career in clinical psychology, psychoanalysis and university teaching. Just before my 70th birthday I began taking photography classes at The International Center of Photography. I developed a strong interest in candid street photography. Now, thirteen years later, I have been in over eighty group exhibitions, have had four solo shows and have won a number of awards, such as 1st place in the Soho Photo Gallery National Competition in 2015. I was a finalist in the Miami Street Festival in both 2017 and 2018 and Streetfoto San Francisco in 2018. In 2019 I was the winner of both the PDN 'FACES' Awards for self-portraits and the Street Division of the Pollux Awards. I was also a finalist in The London Street Photography Festival. Most recently I was the winner of the 2020 6th Annual Street Shooting Around the World Exhibition at the Los Angeles Center of Photography for best individual photograph. Additionally, in 2020, I was the 3rd Place Winner of Lens Culture Streets. My work has been featured in Popular Photography Magazine. LOCATION New York USA CAMERA/S Sony A9II, Leica M10 WEBSITE https://www.paulkessel.com/ @STREETSKESSEL FEATURES //

I almost always go out with my camera, even to get a baguette. Few times when I have a subject in mind, I let myself be absorbed by atmospheres, captured by lights or be attracted by lines. Then either the camera is drawn and the photo taken quickly, or I post myself a bit like a fisherman, waiting for the right moment, blending in with the background, so as to make me forget. I work full time as a social worker, in Lille, in the North of France and as soon as the opportunity arises I set off to discover new cities and new countries. DAVID QUEVILLART I almost always go out with my camera, even to get a baguette. Few times when I have a subject in mind, I let myself be absorbed by atmospheres, captured by lights or be attracted by lines. Then either the camera is drawn and the photo taken quickly, or I post myself a bit like a fisherman, waiting for the right moment, blending in with the background, so as to make me forget. I work full time as a social worker, in Lille, in the North of France and as soon as the opportunity arises I set off to discover new cities and new countries. LOCATION Nord FRANCE CAMERA/S Panasonic Lumix GX-8

I've had a love for street photography since I was a child, long before I knew it had a name. Not until 2017 did I take up the challenge of photographing in the streets myself. I'm drawn to ordinary people doing ordinary things. To me, it’s all extraordinary - emotion, gesture, connection, and humor. I believe that we humans are much more alike than we are different, and hopefully my photos remind people of that. I have been exhibited in Washington DC, New York, Miami, San Francisco, Paris, Trieste, and Sydney. I am part of the Women in Street Collective, DC Street Photography Collective and Optic Nerve Collective. MARCI LINDSAY I've had a love for street photography since I was a child, long before I knew it had a name. Not until 2017 did I take up the challenge of photographing in the streets myself. I'm drawn to ordinary people doing ordinary things. To me, it’s all extraordinary - emotion, gesture, connection, and humor. I believe that we humans are much more alike than we are different, and hopefully my photos remind people of that. I have been exhibited in Washington DC, New York, Miami, San Francisco, Paris, Trieste, and Sydney. I am part of the Women in Street Collective, DC Street Photography Collective and Optic Nerve Collective. LOCATION Washington DC USA CAMERA/S Fuji X-T3 WEBSITE http://www.marcislindsay.com/ @MARCISLINDSAY FEATURES //

Christina Simons is an award winning international documentary photographer focused on human rights. Her work has been exhibited throughout Australia, the United States, England, Spain, Russia and Mexico. Part Icelandic and American, she resides in Australia as a true citizen of the world speaking multiple languages. Having worked in the visual arts industry for over twenty-five years she is a technical master of imagery. Her work traverses many interests including travel, lifestyle and portraiture and is represented in publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian UK as well as working with several NGOs such as Medicines Sans Frontiers and UNICEF. Her passion for human rights and civil liberties have led to series such as “The Haiti Project” on children in domestic servitude, Women’s health in the Philippines and Aboriginal Education in Australia; not to mention her solo-exhibition and multi-award winning series “Running to Nowhere” on Central American Refugees. Her curiosity of subcultures has produced projects such as award winning series "Derby Girls" and multi-award winning series "Lil Bullfighters" of Mexico. With a passion for justice and compulsion to observe Christina Simons provides key commentary into the unknown issues, places and aspects of this world. CHRISTINA SIMONS Christina Simons is an award winning international documentary photographer focused on human rights. Her work has been exhibited throughout Australia, the United States, England, Spain, Russia and Mexico. Part Icelandic and American, she resides in Australia as a true citizen of the world speaking multiple languages. Having worked in the visual arts industry for over twenty-five years she is a technical master of imagery. Her work traverses many interests including travel, lifestyle and portraiture and is represented in publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian UK as well as working with several NGOs such as Medicines Sans Frontiers and UNICEF. Her passion for human rights and civil liberties have led to series such as “The Haiti Project” on children in domestic servitude, Women’s health in the Philippines and Aboriginal Education in Australia; not to mention her solo-exhibition and multi-award winning series “Running to Nowhere” on Central American Refugees. Her curiosity of subcultures has produced projects such as award winning series "Derby Girls" and multi-award winning series "Lil Bullfighters" of Mexico. With a passion for justice and compulsion to observe Christina Simons provides key commentary into the unknown issues, places and aspects of this world. LOCATION Melbourne AUSTRALIA CAMERA/S Nikon D800 WEBSITE http://www.christinasimons.com/ @CHRISTINASIMONS FEATURES //

I am 61 years old, and married with three children. I work in a software company and live in a quiet neighborhood of Tel Aviv, the city which I grew up in, have never left and is a part of me and my hobby - photography. I enjoy cinema and music, and during the 1980s I photographed using film cameras. I then did not touch a camera for 20 years until I received a digital camera as a gift for my birthday from my wife a few years ago. The rest is history… After two years of stagnation and a few lockdowns due to covid-19, I went to the US on a family visit. I felt like a bird who finally flew out of its cage! This series "Journey of Freedom" depicts that wonderful feeling of freedom and expresses in a surrealistic manner the emotions of the people who went through covid -19, each of them in his own way. GABI BEN AVRAHAM I am 61 years old, and married with three children. I work in a software company and live in a quiet neighborhood of Tel Aviv, the city which I grew up in, have never left and is a part of me and my hobby - photography. I enjoy cinema and music, and during the 1980s I photographed using film cameras. I then did not touch a camera for 20 years until I received a digital camera as a gift for my birthday from my wife a few years ago. The rest is history… After two years of stagnation and a few lockdowns due to covid-19, I went to the US on a family visit. I felt like a bird who finally flew out of its cage! This series "Journey of Freedom" depicts that wonderful feeling of freedom and expresses in a surrealistic manner the emotions of the people who went through covid -19, each of them in his own way. LOCATION Tel Aviv ISRAEL CAMERA/S Fuji Xt2 and Xt3 WEBSITE https://www.gabibest.com/ @GABYBA33 FEATURES //

Based in the Ruhr Area in Germany, I am working as a teacher at a primary school. In my free time I love to draw or to take pictures with my Leica. I have an enormous passion for fine arts since I was little. In my presented series I want to show the beauty of the often underestimated region, I am living in. The Ruhr Area has a huge industrial tradition. I edit all my pictures in black and white, because I'd like to reduce my objects to their essentials. Furthermore I have the opportunity to focus on contrasts, shapes, textures by working like this. SARAH LUHSE Based in the Ruhr Area in Germany, I am working as a teacher at a primary school. In my free time I love to draw or to take pictures with my Leica. I have an enormous passion for fine arts since I was little. In my presented series I want to show the beauty of the often underestimated region, I am living in. The Ruhr Area has a huge industrial tradition. I edit all my pictures in black and white, because I'd like to reduce my objects to their essentials. Furthermore I have the opportunity to focus on contrasts, shapes, textures by working like this. LOCATION Ruhr Area GERMANY CAMERA/S Leica Q2 FEATURES //

Stephen Laszlo has been specializing in street photographer imagery for over twenty-years. Although Stephen still shoots film he still uses traditional B&W and color techniques when shooting in digital. All B&W photos are shot in monochrome utilizing the zone system and digitally adjusted to represent, as closely as possible, the traditional darkroom technique. STEPHEN LASZLO Stephen Laszlo has been specializing in street photographer imagery for over twenty-years. Although Stephen still shoots film he still uses traditional B&W and color techniques when shooting in digital. All B&W photos are shot in monochrome utilizing the zone system and digitally adjusted to represent, as closely as possible, the traditional darkroom technique. LOCATION San Francisco UNITED STATES CAMERA/S Leica M10 Monochrom and Leica Q2 Monochrom Reporter WEBSITE http://stephenlaszlo.com/ @STEPHEN_LASZLO_PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES //

NastPlas is an international creative duo based in Madrid, Spain and formed in 2006 by illustrator Fran R. Learte and creative director Natalia Molinos. Their work combines an impressive range of digital elements and abstract patterns which they create in order to elaborate pieces of art with a deeply aesthetic feeling. NASTPLAS NastPlas is an international creative duo based in Madrid, Spain and formed in 2006 by illustrator Fran R. Learte and creative director Natalia Molinos. Their work combines an impressive range of digital elements and abstract patterns which they create in order to elaborate pieces of art with a deeply aesthetic feeling. LOCATION Madrid SPAIN CAMERA/S Canon, Polaroid WEBSITE https://www.nastplas.com/ @NASTPLAS_SNAPSHOT @NASTPLAS FEATURES //

I was born in Parma, Italy, where I completed my studies in the humanities and communication fields. I approached digital photography in my thirties, fascinated by the magical power of this artistic medium that is unique in fixing a moment and making it eternal. Time is the focus of my photographic research, the nostalgic time of the past from which to resurrect ancient buildings today in decay, and the time of the future, projected into minimal visions of modern architecture with futuristic forms and abstract colors. Forms, lines, space. Fundamental even in its negative meaning of empty space. In addition to time in space, color. Another key word in my works is colour, not as an adjective or declination of other subjects, but, a subject itself, a feeling and a photographic alphabet. Photography is a mirror of one's inner world; an aesthetic beauty of rules and exceptions. GABRIELE GENTILE I was born in Parma, Italy, where I completed my studies in the humanities and communication fields. I approached digital photography in my thirties, fascinated by the magical power of this artistic medium that is unique in fixing a moment and making it eternal. Time is the focus of my photographic research, the nostalgic time of the past from which to resurrect ancient buildings today in decay, and the time of the future, projected into minimal visions of modern architecture with futuristic forms and abstract colors. Forms, lines, space. Fundamental even in its negative meaning of empty space. In addition to time in space, color. Another key word in my works is colour, not as an adjective or declination of other subjects, but, a subject itself, a feeling and a photographic alphabet. Photography is a mirror of one's inner world; an aesthetic beauty of rules and exceptions. LOCATION Parma ITALY CAMERA/S Fujifilm XT3 WEBSITE http://www.vetroviola.it @VETROVIOLA FEATURES //

I am not a street photographer that has studied the works of the renown pioneers of the genre, nor have I completed a photography qualification. Simply I am mostly a self-taught amateur photographer. Photography was a natural extension of my love of travel. The journey probably started during a trip to Ethiopia and Morocco. I captured a couple of images that drove me to explore photography as something more than a means of taking record pictures. Upon returning home I started to make the effort to go out and walk the streets and alleys of my hometown Melbourne and its inner suburbs, and in the process I started to discover my home cities true soul. From there I just photographed whatever captured my attention, slowly forming an understanding, vision and style for my photography. ADRIAN WHEAR I am not a street photographer that has studied the works of the renown pioneers of the genre, nor have I completed a photography qualification. Simply I am mostly a self-taught amateur photographer. Photography was a natural extension of my love of travel. The journey probably started during a trip to Ethiopia and Morocco. I captured a couple of images that drove me to explore photography as something more than a means of taking record pictures. Upon returning home I started to make the effort to go out and walk the streets and alleys of my hometown Melbourne and its inner suburbs, and in the process I started to discover my home cities true soul. From there I just photographed whatever captured my attention, slowly forming an understanding, vision and style for my photography. LOCATION Melbourne AUSTRALIA CAMERA/S Canon 6D MII @ADTAMO FEATURES //

The Pictorial List is a global online magazine exploring the beauty and complexity of all things photography. CRACKED RIBS 2016 Cynthia Karalla opens up about the art of survival, the power of perspective, and why she believes each of us holds a monopoly on our own narrative. Latest features VOLUME ONE- NEW YORK BUY NOW New York, New York! NYC SUBWAY RIDERS BEFORE THE INVASTION OF SMARTPHONES Hiroyuki Ito’s subway photographs reveal a vanished intimacy — strangers lost in thought in a world before digital distractions took hold. join the Pictorial Community >>> Follow us on Instagram #thepictoriallist @thepictorial.list Load More STREETS OF KOLKATA Ayanava Sil’s reveals Kolkata’s soul, capturing moments with empathy, presence and humility while offering deep insight into both city and self. Interviews you may have missed © Russell Cobb Stay up to date Subscribing to The Pictorial List means joining a community that values visual storytelling. You will get exclusive content, inspiring pictorial stories, thoughtful interviews, book reviews, and more — delivered weekly to your inbox. Media Partners