Hierarchy.
Saint Augustine: Unscripted
The art of street photography has long been a source of fascination for me, tracing back to my earliest memories of Saturdays spent at the local library with my father. He would settle me in a large brown leather chair, its surface worn and infused with the lingering smell of stale tobacco, a sign of an era when the library’s quiet corners were often filled with smoke. He’d hand me a stack of photography books filled with pictures while he browsed the shelves, undisturbed by my constant questions. I would lose myself in the pages, flipping through one photograph after another—moments frozen in time. Photographers like Dorothea Lange, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Robert Doisneau, and Helen Levitt captivated me with their ability to portray the full spectrum of human emotion, from joy to hardship. Their images shaped my early understanding of street photography. In more recent years, the work of Vivian Maier has become a particular source of inspiration—her unfiltered approach to documenting everyday life continues to influence the way I observe and capture the world around me.
While I do not claim that my images compare to those of Maier, I greatly admire her work and strive toward a similar honesty in my own photography. Her ability to find significance in the ordinary motivates me to step outside, observe, and document the world as it unfolds. This collection reflects that pursuit—documenting unscripted moments, genuine interactions, and the unfiltered character of daily life.
Fleeting.
Street photography, at its core, is about capturing candid moments of everyday life. It thrives on the unpredictability of the world around us, seizing fleeting moments that tell the stories of ordinary people. There is a unique beauty in the unscripted, the unnoticed, and the subtle interactions that define the rhythms of daily existence. In this photo essay, a collection of black-and-white images taken on the streets of Saint Augustine, Florida, offers a glimpse into the city’s vibrant everyday life. The historic city, with its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and mix of locals and tourists, provides the perfect backdrop for documenting the unscripted scenes that shape daily life.
At its essence, street photography is about observation—freezing a moment in time that tells a larger story. Henri Cartier-Bresson famously coined the term “the decisive moment,” describing those rare instances when everything in a scene aligns perfectly. This photo essay draws from that philosophy, much like the work of photographers who have influenced my own approach. Vivian Maier’s street photographs, many of which were discovered only after her death, embody this concept—offering intimate glimpses into human interaction and the often-overlooked details of life. Her images, rich with quiet profundity, reveal a personal yet universal truth. Inspired by this perspective, this collection captures fleeting moments in Saint Augustine, showing how ordinary scenes can reveal deeper insights into the human experience.
Unveiled.
Mirage.
Saint Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States. Its rich history is woven into the fabric of the city—from the Spanish colonial architecture to the iconic Castillo de San Marcos. Walking these streets with a camera, I am struck by the contrasts between the city’s historical landmarks and the everyday life unfolding in its corners. Narrow alleyways, sun-dappled squares, and vibrant storefronts offer a dynamic setting for capturing candid moments. The monochrome palette of black-and-white photography sharpens focus on the structure, composition, and texture of these fleeting scenes.
In one image, a man sits on a bench, his face obscured by a hat and sunglasses, while his husky dog, with piercing eyes, stares directly into the camera. Another photograph captures a couple sharing a quiet conversation over dinner along the historic Aviles Street—an intimate moment filled with anticipation, as if this could be a first date. In another, a mother and daughter stand side by side, their gazes fixed on something down the street, in perfect sync and entirely oblivious to the world around them. Each image offers a singular moment, suspended in time, where the ordinary becomes fascinating.
Sentinel.
Anticipation.
Fixated.
This collection of images does not attempt to make a grand statement but instead invites the viewer to pause and consider the small, often unnoticed moments that bring a place to life. Through these candid glimpses of Saint Augustine’s streets and people, I hope to share a perspective that reflects the city’s everyday rhythm and quiet charm.
Saint Augustine’s blend of the past and present is reflected in the interactions between its residents, tourists, and the enduring landscape. Visitors explore the city’s Spanish colonial sites, while locals enjoy quiet, everyday moments—walking their dogs, sipping coffee, or simply observing the world around them. These scenes reveal how the old and new coexist, offering subtle reflections of how we engage with our environment.
Capturing these fleeting moments is less about timing and more about being attuned to the world around us. The images in this collection offer simple yet profound glimpses into our daily lives, showing that moments of significance are not confined to the work of renowned photographers, but can be found by anyone willing to pause and observe the ordinary.
Outlined.
Contrast.
Desire.
Intrusion.
Banter.
Vigilant.
Coordination.
Kindred.
Reference Materials:
Lange, D. (1966). Dorothea Lange: Photographs of a lifetime. Aperture.
Eisenstaedt, A. (1960). Eisenstaedt on Photography. Doubleday.
Doisneau, R. (1966). Paris le temps d’un regard [Paris, The Time of a Glance]. Editions Laffont.
Levitt, H. (1965). A Way of Seeing. Museum of Modern Art.
Cartier-Bresson, H. (1952). The Decisive Moment. Simon and Schuster.
Maier, V. (2011). Vivian Maier: Street photographer. PowerHouse Books.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. (n.d.). National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm
Deagan, K. (1995). Spanish St. Augustine: The archaeology of a colonial town. University Press of Florida.
Lightner Museum. (n.d.). The Lightner Museum. Retrieved March 8, 2025, from https://lightnermuseum.org
Langley, R. (2017). Pirates of the Americas: The golden age of piracy and its history. Oxford University Press.
Fort Mose Historic State Park. (n.d.). Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Mose