Words & Images by Alexandra Avlonitis

Interview by Athena Abdien

What inspires you as a street photographer?

Living in New York City I only have to step outside my door to find inspiration. I am captivated by the never-ending drama unfolding in this densely-packed metropolis – the funny and the sad, the beautiful and the harsh, the joy and the pathos. Drawn to pulsing crowds as well as quiet, solitary moments, I work to get close to the players on this urban stage and to capture human encounters, however fleeting.

Council of Men, Puglia © Alexandra Avlonitis

Can you describe the way(s) in which fine art painting and image-making come together?

As a former fine art painter who took up photography, I have been guided by Brassaï’s famous formulation: “Photography has one leg in painting and one leg in life but the two things must be combined.”

The fundamental building blocks of painting – color, light and composition – apply equally to image-making. But learning to see is crucial as well: one must train the eye to hone in on a scene, edit extraneous information, and capture its essence.

Lunch On The Canal, Venice © Alexandra Avlonitis

How did the process of creating photographs for your Italy series come to be?

I traveled to Italy in October 2022 to visit a few places I had been to before as well as some new ones. For the first time, though, I was going as a street photographer. I was excited but didn’t know what to expect in terms of how street photography would be received there. But when I arrived at my first city – bustling and chaotic and gritty Naples – I knew right away that my usual method of getting in the mix and close to my subjects (but as unobtrusively as possible) would work as well there as it does in New York. Italians are genuine and approachable; I felt at ease in Naples and all points beyond.

Three Women, Naples © Alexandra Avlonitis

If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?

Modern Dance.

What was the last book you read or film you saw that resonated with you?

I recently read Diane Arbus: Portrait of a Photographer by Arthur Lubow. It is a compelling account of an early street photographer struggling to make her unique and groundbreaking art while fighting against so many professional and personal odds.