My name is Riley Joseph. I take photographs. I have a strong affinity for bygone eras. I think I would rather a Ford Model T than a hoverboard (Which are coming in 2015 so says Back to the Future).
To me, the main characteristic of a gentleman is doing the right thing. Whether that is throwing garbage in a garbage can or holding the door open for others it comes down to doing good. Additionally, and this is optional to be a gentleman but doesn't hurt, reviving some gentlemanly arts. Shaving with a straight edge razor and shooting & developing my own film are two that I enjoy.
The first spark was in the 90s. My parents gave me a film SLR with a few lenses, tripod, filters, flash for Christmas. I was terrible and mostly had the camera in auto mode but I still loved it. Then in 2004 I lived in Northern Alberta working for the federal government. The only really pastime up there was getting black-out drunk, partaking in hard drugs and/or snowmobiling. None of which I was interested in. I bought a cheap Digital SLR. I filled my spare time just photographing everything and anything. And that is where it really started for me.
I remember as a kid if I was going somewhere or doing something my Mom would always have a disposable 35mm camera for me to use. I also remember using a Kodak 110 camera with the cute little film cartridges. My thoughts of photography I had then still stand true for me today. And that is the awesomeness of being able to preserve a moment in time that will never happen again.
My digital kit, which I use mostly for commissioned photo projects, is a Fujifilm X-T1 w/ 14mm, 23mm, 35mm lenses. It is a nice compact package that gives me the results I want. My use of Fuji gear in 2013 was noticed by Billy of the Fuji Guys and I was invited to be a Fuji "X-Photographer" which has been great for me.
Digital is nice and fine but for me, film is where my heart is. Earlier this year I wanted to go back to shooting film. Some day it might not be around (although I feel it is back on the rise currently) and I wanted to be a part of it. I am now the owner of a Rolleiflex 3.5F TLR camera for medium format and a Leica M3 for 35mm. It was important for me to have two classic cameras that are fully mechanical that I can pass down eventually.
Like I mentioned earlier I develop my colour film in my kitchen and scan it myself.
I think this is something that is always changing for me. I like taking interesting photos of interesting places and interesting people in those places. My aesthetic alternates between urban and nature settings. I think both have a lot of beauty.
It really varies. If I am working on a job it can be 60 hours a week dedicated to photography. If I am shooting for myself it is can be from a few minutes a day taking a snap with my iPhone or it could be a few dozen hours shooting, developing & scanning film. All of which I love to do.
All photos in the category „street“ on your website are in color. Most photographers prefer black and white. Why do prefer color?
I think some would not regard those photographs as true "street photography" because they are shot in colour. But I am not much for conforming to preset photographic rules.
Even with film I tend to stick with colour. For me I like incorporating the colours into the story. Especially if shooting during the golden hour light. That said, I am planning on shooting more B&W film in the future. Once I have time to sort out and purchase the chemistry to develop it.
This interview was originally published on BehindTheCamera.co.
