Meet CMC member and photographer Svetlana Katz! Learn how she got her start in photography, get insight into her puddlegram series, and discover her inspirations like Bill Branft and Gary Winogrand.

Tell us a little about yourself, and how you got your start in photography.

I have always been a visual person. I studied visual perception and attention in college, and I am acutely aware that we each have a unique way of seeing things and finding meaning in what we see. Living in a frenetic city, I am often moved to record certain scenes that happen to capture my attention, and these photos represent reflections of my personal perspective, and allow me to share my sliver of the world.

We love your puddlegram series. What drew you to start photographing reflections in puddles?

Like so many photographers, I am entranced by reflections. Living in NYC, where the cityscape is familiar to people everywhere, I became interested in capturing it in a way that may be less familiar. I realized that puddles provide that twist, as well as allowing an extra layer of texture. And I became obsessed with capturing not just the stillness of the architecture, but the movement of people (and sometimes animals), as well as detritus of city life.

Tell us how you discovered CMC, and why do you like being a member of the collective?

I discovered CMC about 7 years ago through an acquaintance I made at an Instagram photo meet up. Through the years I have enjoyed meeting people who also have a passion for photography and have unique ways of expressing that passion. It is valuable and eye opening to see the different approaches people take. It has helped me challenge myself.

The big 10 year show is coming up in October. What are looking forward to the most about the show?

I can’t wait to see how each photographer chose to highlight their craft, and how that reverberates when presented as a collective.

How would you describe your photography style?

I think of myself as a fly on the wall, covertly watching, and capturing a scene that catches my attention and tells a story, be it an interaction, a vignette, a reflection.

Share with us a series of 3-5 of favorite photos you’ve taken so far this year. Explain what they mean to you.

The first is a window of a house in my neighborhood in the evening - a man reading the newspaper at the end of the day, surrounded by domestic reminders of life and family. The warm light inside is cozy and inviting, even as I watch from the outside. The second is a reflection in a wet paved sidewalk on 52nd street. The seams between the stones give it a segmented look; the rainbow umbrella gives it a pop of color, and the skyscraper windows add another layer of color and texture. The third is a broken mirror under an overhead subway track, jagged reflection of urban utility and grit. The fourth is a reflection of a young woman in a red dress on a ferry in San Francisco Bay. I like scenes that have layers. Beyond her you can see people on the other side of the ferry admiring the Golden Gate Bridge, visible in the distance. The fifth is a lone confident woman walking nonchalantly on a near empty boardwalk in the rain, not letting the raindrops dampen her spirit.

Are there any photographers that inspire you? If so, who, and why?

I am inspired by Bill Brandt, and the way shadow and light play such a role in the stories he tells with his photos. I love the energy and intimacy of Gary Winogrand’s street photos. I am drawn to William Eggleston’s extraordinary perspective on ordinary places and things.

Member Spotlight: Svetlana Katz