Blake Andrews – Observing Life’s Quiet, Strange Poetry
Blake Andrews (b. 1968) is a prolific American street photographer and blogger based in Eugene, Oregon. A member of the In-Public collective, he built a reputation through subtle, quirky black-and-white images that balance the everyday with a sharp, visual wit. His work challenges expectations of street photography—he's less about decisive moments and more about lingering on the oddly poetic or quietly absurd.
Camera Gear
Andrews favors unassuming, practical tools that let him stay alert, nimble, and fully engaged with his surroundings:
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Black-and-white film (Kentmere, Arista) – "I’m a cheapskate," he admits, using whatever’s affordable—and embracing imperfection in the negative as part of his aesthetic.
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35 mm rangefinder bodies (e.g. vintage Leicas, though he doesn’t fixate on a specific make), favored for discreet, responsive shooting.
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iPhone – used intermittently, especially for color experiments or spontaneous manipulation.
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No rigid kit philosophy—his tools shift with availability and creative impulse.
Andrews builds tension through editing distance: his black-and-white film languishes up to 18 months before review, allowing memory to fade and freeing the image from its original context.([turn0image1]) He values subtlety—his images are often so delicately balanced that viewers must look twice to catch what’s happening ([turn0search2]). Though occasionally venturing into color or iPhone work, black-and-white remains the visual foundation for its reductive power and malleability.
He sees photography as an invitation to notice the overlooked. His street images are often quirky, absurded, quietly humorous, or imbued with a sense of poetic dislocation. For Andrews, the process is about being “here now,” creating small dramas that surprise, move, or simply make you double-take. Each frame is assembled through serendipitous encounters, instinct, and a refusal to let control override curiosity.
Notable Work
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Portland & Eugene Grid Projects – methodical, hyperlocal mapping of place and detail.
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In-Public collective – establishing his broader contribution to the discipline of street photography.
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Blog “B” – one of the most influential photoblogs since 2007, offering sideways commentary on craft, culture, and gear.
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Fine-grained prints and zines such as Need Clean Fill (2020) and Pictures of the Gone World (2016), underlining his DIY ethos.
Blake Andrew's Blog : https://blakeandrews.blogspot.com/