Center Stage

As if street photography was not challenging enough, the challenge increases significantly when one attempts to capture a dynamic, evolving scene that includes interplay between multiple people and things at a location that provides an interesting backdrop across the entire frame. This series seeks to capture such scenes' moment of peak interest, where there are ideally well spaced and positioned moving subjects within the overall arrangement, as if by direction on stage.

Center Stage’s images reflect keen observation of an often unseen and diverse humanity; people of varied ages and ethnicities are subjects. Pioso captures simple, yet subtly meaningful scenes such as people in conversation, standing within a crowd, walking toward an unknown destination, and engaging with dogs. Some images are playful or humorous, while others are quieter. Images include people just going about their quotidian lives without regard for the photographer’s gaze or the camera’s shutter.

The images’ locations, the streets of Washington, DC, and NYC, reveal a wealth of subject matter. The images reflect the melting pot zeitgeist that both of those cosmopolitan cities offer; however, the images are always respectful, even admiring of the diversity of those captured.

The moment of peak interest can appear suddenly or slowly as the drama unfolds; images in Center Stage reflect Pioso's preparedness and openness to observe and quickly react to theatrical street moments.