Moderator Alexander Campos introduces the panelists. 
Artist Damarys Alvarez discusses their work. Their series, on display as part of “Subject ≠ Object”, explores the underground punk scene in Havana, Cuba. 
Artist Virginia Inés Vergara discusses their work. Their work, on display as part of “Subject ≠ Object”, involves a digital photo-college technique to create unique landscapes. 
Artist Ruben Ramirez discusses their work. Their work, on display as part of “Subject ≠ Object”, celebrates Jacob Riis Park in Queens, known for being a safe place for the LGBTQ community. 
Artist Roger Richardson discusses their work. Their work, on display as part of “Subject ≠ Object”, is an exploration of their hometown after becoming aware of the racist sentiments some of their neighbors held. 
Artist Jerry Lim discusses their work. Their work, on display as part of “Subject ≠ Object”, focuses on the Bizen region of Japan.
On the evening of 17 July 2019, En Foco, Inc. held an artist discussion titled “Photo on the Front: Art vs Documentary”. Moderator Alexander Campos led panelists Damarys Alvarez, Jerry Lim, and Roger Richardson in a discussion of what is public and what is private when photographing subjects whose images will then be publicly displayed. Artists Virginia Inés Vergara and Ruben Ramirez also spoke about their work. All five are recipients of the 2019 En Foco Fellowship, which involves a grant and professional development opportunities.
This subject is interesting to me because of my own work. I am asked fairly regularly whether I get people’s permission to photograph them, and I have seen street photography in general viciously criticized for photographing and displaying people’s faces without their permission. Like me the artists on the panel all strove to portray their subjects with respect, though at least one of them admitted to sometimes struggling with how to reconcile the idea of public vs. private when working with human subjects. The general consensus was this kind of work is important from both a documentary and artistic standpoint, and they did not encounter resistance because of the relationships they nurtured with their subjects, no matter how brief.
These artists and the rest of the 2019 En Foco Fellows have their work on display in the group show “Subject ≠ Object”. The exhibit is free and open to the public and will be on display at Hostos College’s Longwood Art Gallery (Bronx, NY, USA) through 16 August 2019.