Renowned street photographer Alan Schaller continues to travel the world, snapping his masterful black and white imagery that captures the spirit of the urban environment. The Leica Ambassador and co-founder of Street Photography International has seen his work exhibited in several Leica galleries over the course of 2019. These opportunities have brought his work to wider audiences, who revel in his view of city streets.
In the tradition of historic street photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Schaller uses Leica M cameras for his work. These allow him to remain discrete while also achieving high quality, artistic work. His photographs investigate the small, fleeting moments that build urban narratives. Since interviewing Schaller in late 2017, his portfolio has continued to expand and is filled with deeply meaningful imagery.
Particularly striking is his continued development with the use of light and shadow. Schaller expertly employs these contrasts to create compositional lines. He visually guides the viewer through the frame. His use of light and shadow also comes into play when looking at negative space. Schaller is unafraid to let his compositions breath, resisting the urge to fill the frame with the main subject. He often prefers a subtle approach where humans are almost swallowed by their surroundings.
This minimalist approach speaks to the isolation that often occurs in modern cities, where citizens are surrounded by other people yet lost in their own worlds. By primarily framing his subjects as singular figures, the London-based photographer forces us to think about our individual place in the world.
Alan Schaller is known for his incredible black and white street photography.
The Leica Ambassador expertly plays with light and shadow for dramatic effect.
His work often deals with themes of isolation and loneliness in the urban environment.
Alan Schaller: Website | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Alan Schaller.
Related Articles:
Interview: B&W Film Photography Captures Raw, Candid Moments in Tokyo
10 Street Photographers Who Are Immortalizing Our Modern World
Striking Street Photos Explore the Dramatic Interplay of Light and Shadow
