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My favorite subject matter is people, and specifically, people doing what they naturally do. When I first moved to New York, I was strictly a behind-the-scenes photojournalistic type of photographer, having been mainly into documenting what was happening around me or what I excitingly stumbled upon, predominantly in the music community and on the streets, while still in Portland. I was all about the candid shots, into capturing a poignant moment in time, but with no involvement from the subject. |
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Awkwardness, Vulnerability or Confidence – Angela Wieland
My favorite subject matter is people, and specifically, people doing what they naturally do. When I first moved to New York, I was strictly a behind-the-scenes photojournalistic type of photographer, having been mainly into documenting what was happening around me or what I excitingly stumbled upon, predominantly in the music community and on the streets, while still in Portland. I was all about the candid shots, into capturing a poignant moment in time, but with no involvement from the subject.
However, I think in part due to assisting a slew of commercial photographers in NYC, I find my work has evolved into more of an active collaboration with the subject. I have become just as interested, if not more so, in photographing a subject with his complete knowledge. My approach often involves little to no coaching in the beginning of the shoot. I prefer to see how an individual chooses, consciously or not, to act in front of the camera. A person’s core will often come to the surface, whether that be awkwardness, vulnerability, or confidence. What’s interesting at times is the disparity between a person’s persona and what comes across in the portrait. While I strive to capture each individual’s nature and uniqueness, I also aim to expose universal human tendencies, such as awkwardness and/or vulnerability, which unite all subjects, whether they be rock stars, street vendors or mobsters. I am fascinated by how similar most people are, at the core, while being so dramatically different as to life choices and outward appearances.
My latest work has been a series of portraits, taken in each subject’s domain, in which environmental clues contribute to revealing identity.
I also continue to do a lot of music photography. Here, too, my work has shifted. I rarely shoot bands live anymore. Rather, I tend to work with the musicians as to concept and execution. However, though I tend to work more collaboratively, I think my strength lies in capturing and revealing something candid about the subject, no matter how organized the shoot.
