Photo Poets: Carmella Orban

Carmella Orban’s documentary-style digital street photography shows respect and admiration for the intricacies of strangers and their impact on environments, with many of her photos not showing explicit faces or identities. Coupled with her close compositions and tight framing, the images feel like glances you take while waiting for a friend to meet up with you. A moment in someone else’s story that you were able to briefly witness.

Bio:

Photography is a hobby that I picked up in high school and have kept up with ever since. Most recently, I’ve been collaborating with fellow photographers of the Rust Belt Photo Collective. I really like capturing candid moments; it’s my choice to aim at the things we overlook, look away from or walk right past. To photograph at eye level puts me face to face and forces the image to be a little uncomfortable. I mostly shoot monochrome images because I think that pairs well with overlooking—it’s easy to see vivid things clearly, harder to see in darkness and monochrome creates a different mood. I enjoy tapping into temperament, and I’m drawn to urban environments—I like the closeness and the idea of people elbowing through the day to make their way to their little piece (or peace). Pictures of people doing their things, those things that bring them joy or the things they do for work, speak about life. My joy is in the capture, eavesdropping on intimacy and recording my quiet observations.

How do you interpret the title “Photo Poet?” -Aja

A Photo Poet captures the brief moments of emotion or gesture. It’s a fearless truth teller who recognizes different forms of reality, has an opinion about what they witness and expresses it in their image. Ultimately, it’s about showcasing the things we do and the way we behave. -Carmella