The Long Game: Ryan Faer on Learning Street Photography

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Ryan Faer spends his working days studying human performance. As a sports scientist for the Cleveland Guardians, he helps athletes develop, improve and reach their potential. Outside of baseball, however, he’s found another pursuit that has become just as important to him: street photography.

In this episode of the Street Photography Magazine Podcast, Bob Patterson sits down with Ryan to talk about how photography came to be a part of his life, the discipline he brings to learning the craft and why connecting with strangers has become one of his favorite parts of the experience.

Ryan lives in Arizona but frequently travels to Cleveland for work, giving him opportunities to photograph two very different environments. He and Bob, who knows Cleveland well, have plenty to discuss about photographing the city, working with different kinds of light and finding interesting people and places when time is limited.

They also explore Ryan’s approach to improving as a photographer. Coming from a background in athletics and coaching, Ryan believes in consistent practice, studying the work of other photographers and making small improvements over time. But he’s also learning that photography doesn’t always have to be about getting better. Sometimes, it’s enough to enjoy being out with a camera.

The conversation touches on his preference for black-and-white photography, his growing interest in documentary storytelling, the relationships he’s built through photography and how sharing his process on Substack has opened unexpected doors.

One of those doors led to five of his photographs being selected for an exhibition, which runs until October 18th, at the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C., part of a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

For anyone who’s relatively new to street photography, struggling to find time to shoot or wondering how to develop their own approach, Ryan’s experience offers plenty to think about.

Links from the show

Ryan’s Website

Street Photography // Field Notes (Ryan’s Substack)

Bob’s guide to shooting in Cleveland