COOL BROOKLYN ARTIST ALERT: JONATHAN NESTERUK

What began as an exercise to photograph people who walked by his apartment has since evolved into a project to capture a cross section of the Brooklyn population. Over the past few weekends, still life photographer Jonathan Nesteruk has set up his mobile photo studio along two Prospect Park West entrances to catch Slopers on their way in and out of the park. He's taken about 300 photos so far, but has a goal of 1000. When he's done, Jonathan thinks that it could be a photography book on the real Brooklyn.

Jonathan encounters a range of reactions from the people he approaches. Some are super eager to participate and understand the point of his mission. "Some people tell me they are honored to be a part of a cultural project that is going on in their neighborhood," he said. "That doesn't happen often but when it does its the most rewarding part of the project." Jonathan has also received the occasional physical threat for stopping Brooklynites in an attempt to take their portrait. He's heard just about every place that he can stick his camera.  

Jonathan has set up camp in the Carroll Gardens/Gowanus area and in Williamsburg at different times of the day. Sometimes he catches people on their way home after work or families just as school is let out in the afternoon. His girlfriend Danielle is a poet who helps out with the mobile studio. She scribbles notes on those photographed for a short stanza that will accompany each photo.

The portraits are quick. Brief interactions with Brooklynites heading somewhere else; sometimes with hair out of place, sweaty from the heat, and children or dogs in tow. It is essentially what Jonathan was looking for -- connecting with real people without the styling or retouching if just for a minute.

"Since I have been working on this project I've learned that there are lots of people in this city just waiting to make a connection with someone else, they just need the opportunity. I went into the project thinking it would be very challenging to get people to stop and share a bit of themselves. I have been amazed by how willing people are to open up and give me some of their time while asking very little in return. This has made me now look at people as potential connections and look past any preconceived notions I may have had."

Next Sunday, Jonathan will head to Red Hook with his portrait mobile to the baseball fields and the surrounding food trucks. He can be followed at @bkportraits for more details.