Cover feature
Superb fine art mono street photography in New York City
Visiting New York has always been on my to-do list, and I’m glad I did it in winter time so I could catch some snow, some rain, and a bit of the that chaotic rush of life that can only be seen in New York. In my first photo all you can see is a pair of silhouettes [1]. Silhouettes intrigue me, they keep me guessing; are they a romantic couple, or perhaps old friends? Maybe they’re cold, or whispering to each other. It’s the unknown that excites me.
My second image was taken in New York’s Chinatown [2]. Everywhere I looked was alluring to the eyes – it was a real treat. There were so many advertisements on the buildings, so many people; the uniqueness of that place grabbed my attention right away.
The third photo shows how people always seem to be running against time nowadays [3]. Time is very
melancholic to me. This picture represents moments that are now lost forever, the only thing left of the moment is this frame.
Everything in New York happens so fast and that is precisely what makes this city so good for street photographers. It seems every little piece of it is a fine art portrait. I believe I managed to capture the craziness of what it’s like to live in a city like this.
When street photography becomes a routine, it’s quite difficult to break out and do something different. So I have to work hard to have my own personal touch in every image I capture. That is why I don’t plan that much – I’d rather feel the moment and click.
I love to respond with what my eyes and heart feels in the moment. I’m very happy with my images, but I would change one thing. In my photo of Chinatown I’d like to revisit the place at night; the light changes everything in a photo.
N-photo says
Without a doubt our favourite photo from your portfolio is the silhouettes in the rain in Times Square [1]. There’s a natural vignetting that occurs all around the edges of the frame, with the bottom darkened by long-thrown shadows. The bright lights shimmer on the shiny stone floor and other subjects bustle in the backdrop like extras in a movie.
It feels very different to your shot in the Metro [3], where there are many bustling people, the movement of which is captured with a longer
Everything in New York happens so fast and that is precisely what makes this city so good for street photographers. It seems every little piece of it is a fine art portrait
exposure, blurring those walking in front of the camera. The top of the frame is stepped with the stonework ceiling and provides some visual breathing space to an otherwise very busy frame.
We agree with you, Fabiolla, that it would be interesting to see your Chinatown image [2] taken at night. All those signs and street lights, including passing cars, would make an excellent shot if lit up with darker surroundings. However, you’ve done well to capture a strong image during the day. You’ve filled the frame with your subject to accentuate the complicated advertisements.
The diagonal approach you’ve taken, with the street running from bottom-left to top-right, also allows you to compact the frame more than, say, shooting transversely across the street. The lines also guide the viewer’s eye through the image much more easily this way.
Silhouettes intrigue me, they keep me guessing; are they a romantic couple, or perhaps old friends? Maybe they’re cold, or whispering