Studies in New York

Studies in new york

East New York: I Don’t Smile Anymore

     I spent the fall of 2017 photographing the rough neighborhood of east New York. East New York is a neighborhood of extremes. It has more methadone clinics, registered sex offenders, felony arrests, and murders, by far, than any other area in the city. Over half the population lives below the poverty line. The police there, have a long history of engaging in corrupt behavior. A broken Waste Water Treatment Plant, an area so far below sea level that it has no sewage system (nicknamed “The Hole”): the list goes on and on.
     I went to East New York, for three-and-one-half months, shooting photographs of abandoned building, hookers, homeless people, and trucks covered with vibrant colorful graffiti, as well as people simply going about their day to day routine. But I favored the ones who seemed to be on the edge.
     Three-and-one half months, one dropped camera, a scratched lens, (replaced, for free), ripped up clothing, bottles thrown my way, and countless breaks in a hundred dirty disgusting bathrooms later, it was over. This is the result.
street photography
street photography
THis is Samantha. I spent an hour walking around with her photographing her in front of the buildings in the area. She was speedy, and would settle down when it was time to take a photo, and was a great subject.
street art
I met this man in my home base, which was a McDonalds in the area. He went out to the parking lot with me, and gave me some great looks.
I think this is m favorite photo of the project. He looked so broken when i spotted him in the subway. He went limping past me, and i followed him, and waited for him at the end of the block. He was surprised that i wanted to photograph him, and told me, as he walked away, that it was the easiest ten dollars he had ever made.
I love this man’s look. He was sitting in a local park, and has such a sad poignant expression.
street photography
I don’t remember this girls name, but she was so accomidating and let me take photo after photo of her. I think she loved the attention.