We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steven Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Just being a Street Photographer period and putting my work out in the world. Naturally introverted as a person and facing the public with only my camera goes against my better judgement. My photography is, to me, a personal journal and how my eye sees the world. I’m out there taking pictures of myself through others. Homelessness, drug use, ugliness and beauty, it all is a reflection of myself. I love people watching, parades and protests…it all gives me a chance to leave my mind and create. To be honest, it is the only thing I feel I’m good at.

Steven, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am naturally introverted and love being alone. I started shooting Street Photography before I knew it even had a name. Exploration, people watching and my love of creating led me here, I just paired it with a camera. Mostly as way to get people to understand me better and to know myself. I don’t do this for followers or fame( nor do I make any money) just to clear my head and heart. It feels good to take photos. Makes me a more empathetic person and helps me to understand it’s not only me in the world. Also to let others see more than their day to day. I shoot mainly Digital Photography on a Sony a6300 and also film occasionally on several old cameras. I’m proud of what I produce and hope others want to see it.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Everybody Street on YouTube (free) helped me to understand and get better at what I do. Susan Sontag has a book called On Photography helped me understand why I do this. Also just get off Instagram pick up a photo book and feel someone else’s work. I recommend checking out Jill Freedman, Garry Winogrand, Janet Delaney, Sergio Larrain, Josef Koudelka or Martha Cooper especially if you like Graffiti. I do Black and White photos cause the Photographers I learned from do it but mostly because it fits my style and adds a lot more drama.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’ve been doing my art since 2014 and do not plan on stopping any time soon. It has brought me many places from San Diego, Brunswick, ME. Portland, OR (before and during COVID-19 and the George Floyd protests), Seattle, WA. Los Angeles and back to San Diego. I’ve faced being gassed and chased by Police, Protests and everyday people… personally I wouldn’t change a thing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @r3verend

Image Credits

Steven Rodriguez @r3verend