Walk through any city long enough, and you’ll notice something interesting. The streets don’t belong only to people. They’re shared with pigeons hopping between commuters, stray cats stretching across sunlit sidewalks, loyal dogs waiting outside coffee shops, curious monkeys watching from rooftops, and birds weaving effortlessly through skyscrapers. Most of us barely notice these everyday neighbors. Photographer Alan Schaller does, and that’s exactly what makes his new monograph, Street Safari, feel so refreshing.
Following the success of Metropolis, which explored the architecture and rhythm of urban life, Schaller shifts his attention toward the animals that quietly exist within those same spaces. The result isn’t simply another wildlife photography book. It’s something far more intimate. Every page reminds you that extraordinary moments aren’t hiding in remote jungles or national parks. Sometimes they’re standing beside you at a crosswalk or perched on a streetlight while you’re staring at your phone.
Alan Schaller Portrait – Captured by Ryota Kohama
Working entirely in black and white, Schaller transforms familiar encounters into cinematic visual stories filled with humor, curiosity, tension, and quiet beauty. His signature use of dramatic light, deep shadows, geometric shapes, and carefully timed compositions gives each animal its own personality while making busy city streets feel almost theatrical.
Schaller describes photographing this series as "an absolute joy," hoping his appreciation for the animals living alongside us shines through every image. Looking through Street Safari, it’s hard not to share that same appreciation and maybe even start noticing your own neighborhood with fresh eyes.
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From Concrete Jungles to Living Stories
Cities often get described as places built from steel, glass, and endless traffic. But Street Safari reminds us they’re also living ecosystems. Every destination Alan Schaller visits introduces a different cast of animal characters, from playful dogs wandering quiet alleys to elegant horses crossing crowded streets and fearless pigeons claiming city squares like they own the place.
What’s fascinating is how naturally these animals fit into urban life. They’re not interruptions; they’re part of the rhythm. Schaller photographs them with the same respect he’d give any human subject, allowing their expressions, movements, and interactions to tell complete stories. Suddenly, an ordinary sidewalk transforms into a stage where nature and city life perform together in perfect harmony.
Black and White Makes Every Emotion Stronger
Color is beautiful, sure. But black-and-white photography has a way of stripping away distractions and revealing something deeper. That’s where Alan Schaller truly shines.
His images aren’t about colorful feathers or bright fur. Instead, they’re built around contrast, shape, texture, and light. Every shadow becomes part of the story. Every highlight directs your attention exactly where it needs to go. A curious dog’s gaze feels more intimate. A flock of birds appears almost graphic against towering buildings. Even the simplest scene suddenly feels dramatic.
It’s this minimalist approach that makes Street Safari so addictive to explore. You stop looking at animals as subjects and start seeing them as characters within beautifully composed visual narratives.
Alan Schaller’s Eye for Perfect Timing
Street photography is unpredictable. Animals make it even more challenging. You can’t ask a pigeon to pose or tell a cat to wait for better lighting.
That’s what makes Schaller’s work so impressive. His photographs rely on patience, observation, and lightning-fast instincts. He waits for those tiny fractions of a second when everything aligns—the light, the composition, the animal’s movement, and the surrounding environment.
Many photographers chase spectacular locations. Schaller proves that remarkable photographs come from remarkable observation instead. His ability to notice subtle interactions turns ordinary city moments into unforgettable works of art, reminding photographers that the best camera skill isn’t expensive gear; it’s paying attention.
A Beautiful Beginning for Irys Publishing
Street Safari isn’t just Alan Schaller’s second monograph. It’s also the very first title released by Irys Publishing, the publishing imprint of Irys, Schaller’s photography-first creative ecosystem.
Rather than following traditional publishing models, Irys Publishing focuses on creating beautifully crafted photography books while supporting photographers more fairly. By working directly with artists and readers, the company places greater emphasis on craftsmanship, careful production, and sustainable publishing.
Printed by EBS in Italy as a premium hardback volume, Street Safari reflects that philosophy from cover to cover. It’s not designed to disappear onto a bookshelf. It’s the kind of photography book you’ll leave on your coffee table because every visitor will eventually pick it up.
More Than a Photography Book, A New Way to See the World
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Street Safari isn’t technical excellence or beautiful printing. It’s perspective.
After spending time with these photographs, you’ll probably notice animals differently during your own daily routine. That pigeon outside your office suddenly feels less ordinary. The neighborhood cat becomes part of the local story. Even your morning walk starts feeling like a small photographic adventure.
Alan Schaller reminds us that meaningful photography doesn’t always require distant travel or rare wildlife encounters. Sometimes the most memorable images are waiting just outside your front door. You have to slow down, observe, and appreciate the remarkable lives unfolding alongside your own. That’s the quiet magic running through every page of Street Safari, a celebration of curiosity, compassion, and the overlooked beauty hiding in plain sight.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Street Safari by Alan Schaller?
Street Safari is Alan Schaller’s second photography monograph featuring black-and-white images of animals living within urban environments. The collection celebrates everyday wildlife through striking compositions, showcasing humor, beauty, and the fascinating relationship between animals and the cities they share with people.
What makes Street Safari different from Alan Schaller’s first book?
Unlike Metropolis, which focused primarily on architecture and urban design, Street Safari shifts attention toward animals inhabiting cities. It combines Schaller’s signature monochrome style with emotional storytelling, revealing unexpected moments between wildlife, domestic animals, and bustling urban environments.
Who is Alan Schaller?
Alan Schaller is a London-based photographer, Leica Ambassador, and founder of Irys. Internationally recognized for his dramatic black-and-white street photography, his work emphasizes contrast, geometry, light, and storytelling, earning exhibitions worldwide and influencing countless contemporary street photographers.
What is Irys Publishing?
Irys Publishing is the publishing imprint of Irys, created by Alan Schaller. It produces premium photography books while supporting photographers through a more artist-friendly publishing model, emphasizing exceptional craftsmanship, direct reader relationships, fair compensation, and beautifully printed collectible editions.
Why should photography enthusiasts read Street Safari?
Street Safari offers inspiration beyond technical photography. It teaches readers to observe ordinary surroundings differently, revealing how patience, timing, composition, and curiosity can transform everyday encounters with animals into compelling visual stories filled with emotion, beauty, and unforgettable moments.
