We first discovered Anthony Lewis, the founder and mastermind behind Neat Shiny Owl, when browsing our Tumblr feed. We couldn’t stop ourselves from reblogging so many of his photos – they capture people at their most beautiful and uninhibited. We especially love the fact that he snaps a lot of naturals! Natural hair photography is becoming huge! So we reached to him and were delighted when he accepted our invitation to answer a few questions…
1. When was the first time you picked up a camera and discovered “this is it!”?
Admittedly, it’s a little difficult to say, however photography is the very first thing I ever considered to be a hobby. It’s taken me such a long time to even call myself a photographer because of that. Cameras, both for stills and video, have always been cool to me, as are many things, since my interests are wide and varied. I still don’t think it’s hit me until maybe three years ago, give or take — and that’s even after it occurred to me that I should probably put “camera” on my resume somewhere!
2. You’ve stated that your favorite subjects are people. What is it about portraits that has you hooked?
I was an Art Major in high school, and I’ve always been fascinated by portraits, often sketching and sometimes painting them. The human face is enchanting to me. You couldn’t pay me to draw or paint a landscape or still life though. Not then. Granted, there were homework assignments, but… Anyway, the ironic thing is that once I picked up cameras (usually disposable first), I started taking photos of landscapes. When it hit me that I could get back to portraits, I sort of shifted gears. Et maintenant, voilà! Portraits!
3. Your photos are amazing. How do you pick the people you photograph? What is it about them that you’re attracted to?
Thank you so much! The best way I’ve come to explain it is in two parts: there’s a vibe, and beyond that I want to just get the person, as in, not so much of the shell, but what’s inside. I grew up in New York, so I’m kind of used to having to gauge, size up and feel people out, all without making eye contact. I trust that vibe, that gauge, before I even make the approach. Of course there are things that I like, things that show up on my blog often — hairstyles, a smile or laugh, nice threads, a sense of humor, youth. Ultimately though, it’s the person that is my goal for capture, as is at that moment in time, nothing else applied.
4. We couldn’t find any photos of you! Is that deliberate? :)
Yep — deliberate indeed! It’s not about me. It’s about you all. I’m actually often asked this, but I have to say I prefer the anonymity. Maybe there’ll be a self-portrait down the line somewhere; for now, I like the focus off of me.
5. What 5 words would you use to describe your photographic style?
“I stop and say hi.” — Not trying to be cute, I promise. I never quite know what’s going to unfold when I say hello to someone. It’s all free reign from there. A few impromptu photoshoots have erupted from me just saying hello. It’s been interesting, to say the least!
Is the sidewalk your catwalk? Do people regularly tell you that you strut? If so, submit your photos for a Concrete Curls feature at [email protected]. Want more inspiration? Check out Concrete Curls on Tumblr.
