I am a street photographer because street has a special cinematic character that I love, combining elements of photojournalism, documentary and pure surprise to catch unguarded moments in a way that lets viewers relate on a humanistic level. And because there are few things more interesting than human nature in action.

I look for the “click point” in a simple, evocative situation — the visceral second that speaks to the heart with the humor, sadness, beauty or irony of daily life. People’s eyes, dress, body language, relationships to inanimate objects and each other — all can convey story lines that resonate.

Whether shot indoors or out, my photos are candid, intuitive, spontaneous; none are staged or manipulated. I shoot film because I like its distinctive look and the fact that it forces me to pay close attention. And I prefer black and white as it reduces visual complexity, focuses the eye and stimulates imagination.

I have been published in Black & White magazine, and had solo exhibitions at Umbrella Arts Gallery in New York, In An Instant Gallery in Florida, and Dartmouth College. I have also been in over forty  juried exhibitions, including the Salmagundi Art Club of New York; Your Daily Photograph; Center for Fine Art Photography; New York Center for Photographic Art; Black Box Gallery; Greg Moon Art Gallery; WPGA Pollux (“Photographer of the Year”), Charles Dodgson and Jacob Riis Awards; Cape Cod Art Association; Texas National Art Competition; Camera USA National Photography Award; Minneapolis Photo Center; Colorado Photographic Arts Center; and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Three of my photos are in the permanent collection of the Municipal Museum in Malaga, Spain. – JL

Jim is a New Hampshire resident.

All photographs are available as Silver Gelatin prints.