From 1982 to 2001, American photographer Mark Steinmetz travelled to rural fairs, urban street carnivals and small circuses across the United States to take photographs of families, teenagers and fairground workers that capture all the warmth and frenetic energy of a day at the carnival. “People from all walks of life go to the fair looking for something to transport them beyond the everyday. Amid the excitement and sounds of the rides and games, I could go unnoticed and capture gestures and faces.” —Mark Steinmetz