Point and Shoot
Raised in small-town Missouri, 30-year-old New York photographer Ben Pier left home in his teens. He headed to Chicago to play punk music and study photography at Columbia College. Pier cites no influences, working only with his own instincts to capture the beauty in everyday, fleeting moments. There’s something magical about his photography. Image after enchanting image leaves you wanting more.
So what are your photos all about?
My photos are about the moments, people and things that make up my life. They’re about me…how I feel and what I want to share.
What drew you to photography and what keeps you shooting?
One of the major things early on was that my older brother used to bring home all these photos he made in his high school photography classes. Boxes of black and white prints of him and his friends skateboarding and hanging
out. I was like 13, and would sneak into his room when he was gone and spread them out on the carpet. They seemed so real and so finished. Like he had made this magazine or comic book all about his life. I was really drawn to them and wanted to make my own from then on.
Your docu-style portraits involve a wide variety of different and interesting characters-where do you find your models and how do you choose them?
I find them on the street mostly…or friends or friends of friends. I really enjoy approaching people on the street now…I was really terrified of it for a long time.
Who would be your dream subject?
A girl.
What do you consider to be your best photograph?
I look at its all one big project or series – so take your pick.
What’s your camera/film of choice?
I don’t really have a favourite. I use a Mamiya 7 II because that’s the one I bought 6 years ago. But I like a bunch of different cameras. As far as film goes I use whatever I can find laying around.
What does the future hold?
I’m going to read for a bit and then turn in. I’ve got an early call time in the morning.
