Susan Anthony

In this Golden Shot Photography Awards interview, Susan Anthony shares the story behind their creative journey, awarded work, and ongoing photographic vision.

My name is Susan Anthony. I studied fine arts at Cooper Union and earned an MFA from the University of California, Berkeley.

For many years, I worked as a painter. About twenty-five years ago, I inherited a Hasselblad camera and enrolled in a continuing education photography course at the School of Visual Arts. That experience changed my life. I began taking photographs every day and, drawing on my background in painting, approached the photographic frame the way I would approach a canvas.

The square format of the Hasselblad felt especially natural to me, since many of my paintings are also square. That is how I became a photographer.

My series about Troy, NY began in 2013. I was photographing towns along the Hudson River, north of the city of Hudson. I crossed the bridge leading into Troy and immediately fell in love with the city. I continued going to Troy almost every weekend. I met many people. Troy became like a second home to me. I worked on this project for over ten years, and this past year had a book published, Collar City: A Photographic Portrait of Troy, New York, by MW Editions.

Troy reminded me of where I grew up in Brooklyn. Like the neighborhood of my childhood, it is near the Hudson River, is a city where people can easily get around by bicycle, and has a close-knit community. I was emotionally drawn to Troy because it felt familiar and reminded me of the place where I grew up. That personal connection inspired me to create this body of work.

Through this series, I want to communicate the changes that are taking place in Troy. It was once a major city during the Industrial Revolution, but then it fell on hard times when industry moved to Pittsburgh. The Tiffany company had a strong presence in Troy many years ago, and many houses still have Tiffany windows.

The architecture in Troy is wonderful, and many of the old mansions have been restored. Troy is experiencing a rebirth, and I believe that is reflected in this selection of photographs.

I like meeting people. Most of the people in this series I did not know. I was referred to them by other people I had photographed. I met them when I went to photograph them. We would talk for a while and get to know each other a bit. Then when we were both comfortable I would do the photoshoot.

Some of these people became close friends because of these photo sessions.

I photograph communities. Communities are made up of many different types of people. Despite their differences, they support each other and try to make their community safer. They have each other’s backs.

I begin these projects not knowing anyone, and through my photography I become embedded in the community. I discover places and people I never would have known. That is what I love about the kind of work that I do.

My work has been influenced by Martin Paar, Alec Soth, W. Eugene Smith, Andrea Modica, Reineke Dykstra, Walker Evans, Lee Friedlander, Eugene Atget, Margaret Cameron and many other photographers.

Winning first prize for my series about Collar City is very exciting for me. I want people to see my work because photography is a major part of my life.

Now gallerists, collectors, and other photographers can look at my photographs. For me, that’s what makes winning so meaningful the opportunity for the work to connect with people beyond my own studio.

I would advise photographers to take chances. Get your work out there and let other people see it. Share it…don’t be afraid to compete. You may not win the first time you compete but keep on trying. Eventually, you will enter an international photography competition and win. It may not be first prize, but an honorable mention is a big deal.

The main thing is to get your work off the computer and out into the world. You will be surprised at the outcome!