School girl escaping from photographer, Hatch, New Mexico, 2021

Editorial and Photograph by Bruce Berman

It’s not the era that was.
People no longer are curious when they see a photographer, they’re nervous.
“What do you want? Are these going to end up on the web (yes)?”
“Do you work for the government (immigration for instance)?” No.
“I don’t like this!”
Or worse! “Give me that camera.”
If you grew up in the era of Vivian Maier (I was a little afterwards)… if Vivian Maier were alive today… she’d probably be shooting flowers.
Innocence lost.
Of course the essential: question is -and always was- what right does a photographer have to just randomly take photographs of complete strangers and do what they will with them?
I have never successfully been able to answer that question. I try to collaborate with people I photograph where consent is given.
But I stray!
Every once in awhile I -we?- just have to grab the moment.
That moment is my escape, as well.