Collection: George Jesse's Street Photography of the Indy 500

Street Photography as Social Anthropology: Capturing the Spectacle of Speed & Humanity

"For decades, I’ve documented the intricate details of everyday life—fashion choices, fleeting expressions, and the unspoken stories that define who we are", says George. Being a street photographer is more than observation; it’s an exploration of why we do the things we do.

At the Indianapolis 500, this search for meaning collides with pure spectacle: 350,000 spectators, the roar of 200 mph machines, and the absurd traditions that turn this into America’s modern coliseum. Fireworks. Helicopters. Booze. Corndogs. Death hanging in the air.

Much like ancient gladiators, these drivers risk everything for the crowd’s thrill. The cars—our modern chariots—race toward danger, while the audience embraces the chaos. Why are we here? Why do we crave this primal energy? I aim to capture not just the race, but the mythology, the grandeur, and the raw humanity of it all.

With countless photographers documenting the race, my focus is on the fantasy—the tension between beauty and brutality, the ritual of spectatorship, and the sheer absurdity of it all.