Interview with Ray Anello

Our guest today is Ray Anello who is recently retired from the Newsweek magazine, so it’s a real honor to speak to somebody who worked for such a prestigious publication.

Ray grew up in a traditional Italian immigrant neighborhood in New York during the 1950s and 1960s. And he says in those days everybody was on the street all the time and it shaped how he approaches photographing on the streets today.

Ray now lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles were sometimes it’s quite difficult to find good places to shoot on the street. If you’ve never been to LA, people drive everywhere and walk very little. In fact it can be downright dangerous to walk in some of the suburban areas due to the high traffic volume.

Ray is a relatively new to street photography but he has jumped in with both feet. In fact after only a few months he purchased a Leica. now that’s commitment.

Many people could be envious of Ray, because he now has plenty of time to follow his passion. In the process he recently rode the Amtrak on the West Coast to find interesting subject matter and now he’s planning other trips to further sharpen his skills.

One of Ray’s influences is William Klein. He recently wrote a very interesting article about Mr. Klein which will be published in our January issue very soon. It’s really good, so don’t miss it.

But in the meantime sit back grab a beverage and and listen to Ashley and I speak with Ray Anello.

Some Recent Photos of Ray’s from his Beach Light project

The shops on Venice Beach have always fascinated me. It’s where I find crowds of people taking in the late afternoon mood of the beach. (Late afternoon is when I usually shoot.) The bearded man above was just sauntering along, leaning back a bit he was so relaxed. And I liked how dark and shadowy he was compared to all the goods hung out on the storefront and the display of tee shirt designs above him. This combination—of the man with the setting—has the feel of Venice Beach for me. I think folks come to the beach promenade to unwind, to people-watch as well as to shop. It makes me realize what a gathering-place a spot like this can be. I also just happen to like clutter and crowded areas. As if life itself thrives on a kind of closeness.

This is also a very Venice Beach kind of moment. This taken as the sun was going down. I do love shadowy figures highlighted a certain way. The folks here are dark and it’s intriguing to me that they themselves cast long shadows. (And the palm trees in the background seem like straight-standing shadows.) In spite of all the folks gathering on the beach at this time there’s always a sense of stillness. As if everyone is collectively holding their breath. This shot has that sense of stillness for me. – Ray Anello

About Ray Anello

I’m a photographer and writer living in Venice Beach, California. My current project is to continue shooting Venice Beach and Santa Monica. I’m fascinated by the beach light and how it affects everything and everyone. When I’m not shooting I’m writing a memoir of my childhood growing up in New York. As a boy I lived in a vibrant, immigrant Italian neighborhood. An experience that has had a lasting effect on me. It definitely has given me a keen sense of the street and why it matters.