For many years STRKNG has been one of the few platforms where I truly felt seen as a photographer.
Not because of algorithms or reach — but because the feedback came from other artists and photographers. People who actually look carefully at images.
Over the last years I became less active online. At the same time, photography became more important to me than ever before.
Most of the images from my first photobook 35STREET were created during this period. Quietly, over many years, without a concrete plan for a book in the beginning.
At some point I realized that I no longer wanted these photographs to exist only on screens. I wanted them to become something physical. Something slower. Something people can hold in their hands.
35STREET was released in late 2025 as an independently published photobook. Since then the project has grown beyond the book itself through talks, exhibitions and personal conversations around street photography and photographic perception.
Looking back, I think STRKNG was one of the places that accompanied this journey from the very beginning.
I also want to mention that this book would probably never have happened without the support, encouragement and guidance of artist and curator Marco Völzke from Schallstadt. His belief in the project played an important role in bringing 35STREET into the world.
And for all of this, I’m genuinely grateful.
If anyone is interested, more information about the book can be found here:
www.ralfscherer.com
— Ralf Scherer
