See Thru Money (Interview & Photos)

New Hampshire bred, Brooklyn based photographer Noah Ritter aka Noah CEOah of See Thru Money has been on his grind lately. Preferring to work over talking about his work, he's quietly amassed a huge collection of images shot mostly in his soon-to-be-trademark double exposure style. From commentary on money to war to basketball, Noah's photos convey multiple meanings in terms of subject matter but all share a common vision. Colors and textures play as much of a part in his work as do his subjects. With a sold out solo show at L'asso already under his belt and another upcoming at Brooklyn's Soapbox Gallery in July, as well as several projects both conceptual and commercial in the works, expect some major moves from him this year.

I linked with Noah recently for a conversation about what he's been up to and where he's headed and for a chance to share a collection of his recent works curated exclusively for Frank151. Peep them with commentary from the photographer following the interview. To purchase any pieces hit up SeeThruMoney@gmail.com.

I've known you for a while but didn't know about your photo pursuits until a few years ago, is photography something you've always done or is it a new medium of expression for you?

I'll always really enjoyed taking pictures. I had some real bad luck with cameras. I lost a couple, had a couple stolen. I took a little break from "really" shooting a lot but when my daughter was born I really started ODing on capturing the moment again. Been going hard ever since.

You do a lot of multiple exposure work, what is it that appeals to you about that?

I really like the use of double exposure. I like to think it's because I'm a Gemini. Twins. Two shots. One image. Something like that. Ha. Another reason why it appeals to me is because you see so many cameras now a days especially in New York. Everyone is a photographer in their own life, own mind, whatever. I see a lot of people just taking the "same" photos. I really try to go out of my way to take shots that other people aren't taking. The double exposure adds another layer of depth that maybe not everyone sees. It allows me to say more through the pictures. I love the layers. I'm not just trying to capture the moment I'm trying to add my vision to the moment.

Your first solo show "See Thru Money" used a lot of multiple exposure using money imagery, is there something particular about currency that appeals to you?

My first solo "show" was at L'asso. Shouts to L'asso. Love that pie. See Thru Money is a concept that has become the pen name for my photos. See Thru Money has a few meanings. It's kind of a progression. In the beginning my money was kind of "see thru" meaning i didn't have much. Through a lot of hard work, getting some money you start to "see thru" your money to create the life you want.  Use the money as binoculars. I've always thought New York was a city where a lot of people try to let their money do the talking. You see a lot of rich kids that try to wear their wealth, and at the same time you see people without that much money "stunting" like they do.  I always respected those successful people that almost hide their wealth, you know those who actually see thru money. It's like you got it, but your not flaunting it. An anonymous donation. See Thru Money can also be the money that the IRS don't see.  I can go on for days on the meanings of See Thru Money but I will keep it short here. Through my photography I try and be real literal with it sometimes, where I might take a shot of some flowers layered over a money shot. The money in the fore front, but you got to see thru it in order to see real the beauty behind it. The over all theme is that the money isn't the most important aspect, it's what's behind the money. I think that applies to my photos and to life.

Is it true that you've you've yet to own a digital camera? What cameras do you shoot with and why?

No. That's not correct. I own a Canon G-10, I have an older Power Shot too, but those are really my girl's camera. Nothing against digital. But I have been more creatively challenged shooting film. However, I will shoot a couple of pics of the kids on the digi sometimes, but only then. It's all analog for me right now. It also helps me to not over shoot. With film, I feel like every shot matters more. And I like the look more too! But don't get me wrong, I also appreciate the power of some of these new digital cameras. I may be going to cop a new digi cam soon too. There are some real sick ones now, plus I be spending a grip on film! Gotta spend money to make money though.

Do you think it's necessary to rely on photography to make a living to be a professional photographer?

No, definitely not. There's a lot of people out there making money through photography that are really wack. And they are a lot of people on an amateur level that are producing professional quality work. I don't really look at myself as a professional photographer, rather someone who surrounds himself with interesting images, some of those images I catch, but most of those images I just enjoy. I think most professional photographers are kind of corny.

You've been a fan a Lomo for sometime - why and have you worked directly with them on anything yet?

I love Lomo. I really like their whole direction. They got a lot of fun little cameras. They're contributing a great deal to keeping film alive within a younger generation. I think that's really important. That may sound like an AD but that's truth. The first Lomo I ever got was a STAPLE collabo my dude Details hooked me up with. It was one of those color splash ones. I really liked how it took interesting pictures. I lost that one on Orchard St after a bunch of Barrio Chino Grapefruit Margaritas. Got another one. And then I got a Diana.  I eventually moved on to the LC-A, which quickly became one of my favorite cameras. Great, durable, fast, small camera at a reasonable price. I went through 4 of those. (Broken, Swimming pool, Lost, I forget what else) I actually need to get another one. But I definitely need the Russian lense this time. I miss taking that camera around. Never did a project with them. But I got a list of ideas for them. Lomo, hit me. Lomo x See Thru Money gotta happen soon.

What are you thoughts on the current camera phone straight to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr way of image distribution? Is it helpful or harmful to real shooters?

I got a tumblr account with just pictures of the kids from the cell phone camera. My parents love it. It's so easy and so instant. I think it's great to be able to quickly post pics from your daily travels. It's cool. I got some mixed feelings about all those posting pictures to facebook, tumblr, twitter, it's great to be able to share your work with others so easily but I also I think people need to be careful not to devalue their work. You got to make your work worth something. I think that's really a challenge.  As technology advances it's getting easier and easier to capture amazing shots. Professional quality. I don't own an iPhone but I love the camera apps they have. We are living in a time where documenting our life has never been easier, for better or for worse, you know.

Who are your favorite photographers and why?

I like any photographer that does their own thing or captures a lifestyle.I'm really feeling this Dominican chick Pam Diaz. She does a real good job capturing D.R. and she shoots mostly film as well.

What are your upcoming projects?

A bunch of stuff going on for the summer. I'm doing a self published book on basketball hoops of Dominican Republic. I'm going to be showing a lot of new work at the Studio in Brooklyn as well as doing Domino nights at Dean St Dominos where we are hoping to have a selection of Brooklyn photographers and artists. I'm working on Part 2 of an instillation I did using old windows and my pictures called "Still Win Dough" and a couple other things that are still too early in the process to speak on yet. I've been out of NYC for almost a year, so I'm excited to be back in Brooklyn with the fam. I love summer in New York it's inspiring, a lot images out there.

Block Drugs

This a piece of work from one of my first shows, "No Matter What I Always Win Dough." It was a 5 piece collection, I did using old window frames with my photos placed inside the glass. They came out really cool. I'm actually work of a Win Dough Part 2. The window in the photo was called "Block Drugs" for obvious reasons. I've used that pharmacy neon sign in a lot of my shoots. It's in the East Village on 2nd Ave. I shot a bunch of the windows at random spots in Brooklyn. This one was shot in Fort Greene.

Chinatown Red Lights

This a Lomo LC-A shot. I jumped out the car to take it. They were shooting a movie. I never knew which one until they were actually playing on my flight to Miami. It's some Nicholos Cage Harry Potter Magic movie. They had some crazy fight scenes in the street using this as the back drop. It didn't come out as dope as my shot though. Ha.

ShootForTheMoon

I shoot a lot of basketball hoops. Basketball always been a passion of mine, especially street ball. I love the gritty New York courts. They are beautiful to me. This a court over on Ave D and 12th St. I used the Lomo Red Scale film. It gives some great tones. Definitely try a roll. Check the moon trying to score.

How To Really Make Money in New York

This is a classic See Thru Money joint. You gotta 'see thru' money to live in New York. It's expensive but there also mad money to be made. New York is inspiring and motivating. The money everywhere if you can see it.212 Project

Here's a photo from an upcoming project I'm working on. No question New York is probably my biggest inspiration for my photography. This is a tribute to the 212 area code. I shot this from the Manhattan Bridge on the D train with the Brooklyn bridge in the back ground.

718 Project

Brooklyn is my shit. The best place to live on earth. Both my kids were born in Brooklyn. There a lot going on in this picture.  In the back ground you got the construction of the Barclay Center. Future home of the Brooklyn Nets. I'm need taking a lot of shots of the progression of the arena. It's gonna be crazy when Brooklyn got a basketball team. They definitely deserve one.

UnderWaterClouds

After New York, Dominican Republic my favorite location to shoot.  It's beautiful, rugged, and real. This shot was taken from boat in Punta Cana.  We paid this guy to take us out to see and old ship wreck. It was pretty choppy on the water, my girl was scared as hell. She can't swim.

Santiago Carnival

Another DR inspired shot. We are usually in DR for Carnival. It's every Sunday of February. This was the last day of Carnival in Santiago. They had a huge parade downtown by the monument. The look on the dude starring at the girl is kind of creepy. I love the color in this picture.

Green Light for BECKY

I love using street art in my work. I do a lot of walking in New York, and I always looking for what the streets are saying through the graffiti. I use this "BECKY" tag a lot. I don't know who writes but I gotta find out. BECKY, what's good? Get at me.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFc93y1W-4w The title says a lot.

Like a fat kid like Cake x NY Lottery

The lottery is a popular photo simile for me. The lottery is like life. A lot people looking for the easy money but most never win it. At the same time I think the lottery represent the American Dream. I've always like the NY Lottery logo. That NY Lotto logo so New York. It's everywhere. Every bodega got that. And cake is money.  Get it.

Presidente

I rock with Presidente hard. It's one of my favorite brands and favorite. They run DR. There is nothing they don't sponsor down there. My dream job is doing the bill boards for Presidente in DR. This a shot of Cofresi Bay in Puerto Plata. Not my favorite beach but this about the beer. I will definitely doing a photo book dedicated to Presidente in the very near future. I got bought 6 six packs to get the Presidente beach chair yesterday. Frio Frio.