Stella Conrad

What initially drew you to film photography, and how does it differ emotionally for you compared to digital?

The analog process initially drew me to film. I’ve always loved the look. But to me, film translates more through feeling. The raw qualities of capturing emotion shine through the grain and color the film provides. The idea of being able to hand process film and have full creative control when producing an image excites me. Patience is also a quality I value within my work. Not having the instant satisfaction of viewing through the digital lens helped me enjoy the process of waiting. It provides an aspect of the unknown, which comes with excitement.

How did your mindfulness and meditation practices influence the creation of “3 Days in New York”?

My mindfulness practice helps me carry presence into my everyday life and action. My meditation practice I do is simply for joy and for others. This translates through my street photography lens of being a ‘flaneur’ and taking my sweet time when walking through the streets of cities; especially in a fast-paced environment. New York specifically has demonstrations of shared energy all around. Therefore, I wouldn’t want to miss any. Especially the small moments. The moments I was able to explore within this collection, helped me see the inner selves of all and how it proves our oneness and connection. Mindfulness practice also deals with letting go of things like judgment and attachment. When training the mind to be present, the analogy is that the mind is like a puppy. One wouldn’t be intentionally mean when training a puppy therefore the practice is that we aren’t intentionally mean to the mind either. This translates through the act of letting opportunities come and go, some we may photograph some we may not. In this way, when approaching 3 Days in New York, I was able to feel fully present, aware and loving.

Stella Conrad | B/W LA

Why did you choose black-and-white film for this project? What does the absence of color allow you to express?

Black and white has always been a special interest of mine. This goes back to older film, jazz photography and experimental filmmaking. I believe it captures an array of emotion and content that shines through the absence of color. I love color, it lives all around me and I have the privilege of experiencing it all. I believe there are some fragments in time that call for black and white and some that call for a full spectrum of color. I believe this collection and photo book called for black and white as a cohesive collection of memory. It also displays the idea of the historical importance of New York’s culture and life. Without the color of the city, we may find highlights such as facial expression, location, texture and detail.

Can you walk us through a specific moment or scene from the series that holds special meaning for you?

Being with my dad was the sentimental and driving aspect of the work. This connected me directly from my relationship with my dad, and his relationship to the city. This feeling directly drew me into the loving significance of the city. Coming from Chicago, It was a beautiful experience connecting with a city from the very beginning of a journey and being able to leave all the room for discovery. As a lover of music, art and connection, I felt extreme pulls of energy and was able to unearth the chaos into a sea of open awareness.

Stella Conrad | Greetings

What themes of “human raw emotion” did you aim to capture during your time in New York?

I aimed to capture structure and how humans function within. By exploring places like, Tompkins Square Park, McSorely’s Old Ale House, MoMA and other Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods of New York, I was able to freshly discover places as I swam through. I was able to with this innocence therefore was able to connect with the innocent mind of those around me. Through meditation practice there is the notion of seeing the younger self in all, confirming our oneness. This helps the navigation of scene photography and demonstration of human life.

How do you balance spontaneity and composition when photographing candid urban scenes?

When approaching street photography, I believe preparation and freedom create balance. By wearing my camera as an extension of the self, I am able to know when it is appropriate to capture a fragment. I enjoy structuring a scene through spontaneity and intuition. This way, I allow for my open heart to reach out and connect with others. Within a urban landscape, whether it is a new place or well-known surroundings, by immersing myself in the ever-changing energy and grounding myself in the only constant of the natural world, I feel there is a compromise. With the notion of letting go in mind, I feel a strong call to a capture a certain scene or moment rather than desire. There are always sets of rules and structure through the lens of photography, but Intuition and lack of control is what allows me to approach a situation that may or may not end up on a film roll.

Stella Conrad | Gutter

In what ways do you see the city of New York as a reflection of collective or individual consciousness?

New York feels alive. It’s a place I had the pleasure of exploring and finding peace within the chaotic nature and movement of the city. I was able to find community through art structures and collectives, music venues and a meditation center. This helped me establish my individuality and connect with the larger whole. I am very grateful to come from a nurturing and very loved place like Chicago and explore a new area with eyes of awe. K8, a light artist and good friend of mine moved to New York a few years ago. As someone who lives their life with open arms, eyes and ears, they’re able to draw in the energy of others and connect fluidly. Seeing how they function within a city of constant changing and shifting, they are able to completely immerse themselves within the act of creation. To me, New York provides opportunity through change and passion. In this way, it feels explosive and destined for creativity.