142: Arthur Drooker, Staying Curious

Arthur Drooker spends his career photographing the quirky, overlooked corners of American culture — clown conventions, Bronies, Lincoln impersonators — treating them with documentary rigor but real affection, most notably in his project "Conventional Wisdom." He also works in more classical documentary registers, including "American Ruins" and his own bridge project, "36 Views of the Golden Gate Bridge." The episode touches on his creative philosophy — captured in his line "don't be afraid to go sideways, because it may turn out to be 'the thing'" — and situates his eye alongside photographers like Walker Evans, Elliott Erwitt, and Robert Frank.

Topic Outline

Intro

• Framing: introducing Arthur Drooker and his body of work
• Rubin's history with Drooker's "Conventional Wisdom" project

Career overview

• Drooker's documentary style: quirky, overlooked corners of culture approached with humor and insight
• How his work reveals connection and identity within niche communities

"Conventional Wisdom" project

• Photographing gatherings like the Association of Lincoln Presenters, World Clown Association convention, BronyCon
• The appeal of documenting subcultures without mockery

Creative philosophy

• Drooker's line: "Don't be afraid to go sideways, because it may turn out to be 'the thing'"
• His friend's editing mantra: "Write with fire; edit with ice"

Other bodies of work

• "American Ruins" — decayed architecture and abandoned spaces (e.g. Louisiana cottage ruins, Chichen Itza)
• "36 Views of the Golden Gate Bridge" — his own bridge project, sold out

Influences / context

• Discussion of Walker Evans, Elliott Erwitt, and Robert Frank as touchstones

Current show

• Mention of his gallery exhibition at The Image Flow Photo Center (running through April 4)

Close

• Likely wrap-up / where to find Drooker's work

Where to see the work: arthurdrooker.com