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Richard Koek: Capturing the Essence of New York Through Photography

In this episode of Meet the Streets, we explore the life and work of Dutch photographer Richard Koek, who moved to New York City in 2000. Richard shares his journey from assisting other photographers to establishing his own career in street and documentary photography. He discusses the compositional and poetic aspects of his work, the importance of depicting personal stories, and the ethical considerations in photographing diverse neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Influenced by renowned photographers and inspired by urban daily life, Richard reflects on his published books, 'New York, New York' and 'Tokyo, Tokyo,' showcasing his unique perspective on the beauty found in everyday moments.

00:00 Introduction to Meet the Streets
00:15 Meet Richard Koek
01:22 Richard's Journey to the US
02:29 The Role of Assisting in Photography
05:34 Transitioning to Independent Work
10:49 Surviving Economic Crises
16:45 Balancing Passion and Profession
21:47 The Impact of AI on Photography
38:01 Richard's Inspirations and Books
47:59 Reflecting on Pre-COVID New York
48:19 Capturing the Resilience of New York City
53:01 The Metaphor of an Empty Train
54:55 Times Square: From Decay to Disney
57:34 The Subway Cello Player
01:01:48 The Oculus: Art vs. Capitalism
01:06:57 The Frick Collection Event
01:25:32 Ethics in Street Photography
01:29:19 Behind the Scenes of a Movie Set
01:32:51 Conclusion and Transition to Tokyo

Thank you for listening! If you want to see the video, go to my youtube channel street photography mentor.
To see my street photography you can go to my instagram @keithmpitts or go to my website keithpitts.com. There you can also get info and sign up for my street photography workshops in Paris.