The Futurist Interviews Jonathan Nesteruk, Occupy Wall Street Photographer

For more than a month now, hundreds of protesters have been amassing in New York's Zuccotti Park as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. And for more than a month, reporters from around the world have been gathering at Zuccotti to glorify, ridicule, and summarize a phenomena that defies easy packaging. Neither the mainstream press, nor political elites, nor at times the protesters themselves seem able to make sense of a movement that has no leader, no specific demands, boasts a litany of grievances that sometimes conflict, and re-invents itself anew in every location to which it spreads.

On October 11th, Brooklyn photographer Jonathan Nesteruk set up a small studio in Zuccotti Park, not much more than a white backdrop and a sign, which reads: "Help keep a human face on the protest. Tell me your story." Whether you agree with the protesters or disagree, Nesteruk's pictures add a sense of coherence and personhood to a movement that seems at times chaotic and formless. FUTURIST Deputy editor Patrick Tucker asked Nesteruk a few questions. The photographer's answers are posted below along with what Nesteruk is calling Portraits of Protest. Nesteruk's Web site is http://owsp.tumblr.com/

THE FUTURIST: How did you get started in photography?

Nesteruk:I've been photographing for years. I started shooing in high school. It was my first real creative outlet and I haven't wanted to put it down since.

FUTURIST: Describe for me your eureka moment when you came up with this idea.

Nesteruk: When I first heard of the protests I was concerned about the images we were seeing on TV and in papers. I felt depictions of Occupy Wall Street were purposefully skewed and focused on the few particularly eccentric people at the rally. People with legitimate concerns were not represented well. I wanted to see what each individual had to say. I have been working on a personal project of photographing random people on the streets of Brooklyn. You can see it here. http://brooklynportraits.tumblr.com/ . I think it's in the same spirit of the protests in a lot of ways. It was very easy to bring what I had been doing in Brooklyn to Wall Street.

FUTURIST: What has been the most memorable part of this experience so far?

Nesteruk: The most memorable part has been how quickly people have shown appreciation for this project. There are a lot of very sympathetic and passionate people down there and they were thankful to me for helping them share their story.

FUTURIST: Who has been the most memorable photo subject?

Nesteruk: Unfortunately it was a guy I didn't photograph. I had a great conversation with a banker. He had lots to say and had sympathy for the rally. He wouldn't let me photograph him. He was afraid his wife would see him with the protesters.

FUTURIST: What do you want to come from the photos?

Nesteruk: I want to help put a human face on this movement. I hope that someone will see these images and decide to go down to Zuccotti Park and check it out for themselves.

FUTURIST: What do you want to come from the protests?

Nesteruk: I hope it provides more people in this country with more of a voice. I think a lot of people feel helpless and this protest is giving them a chance to express themselves.

FUTURIST: Where do you see your photography in ten years?
Nesteruk:I can only hope to still be making images that have a truth to them.

FUTURIST: Where do you see the country?

Nesteruk: I think this country is much stronger and resilient than a lot of people give it credit for. The next ten years will be a huge challenge, but I think we have a pretty good shot.