Offering a gritty landscape of aged concrete and shining skyscrapers, New York City has long beckoned people with its promise of excitement, adventure and opportunity, providing a backdrop for some of the most interesting lives ever lived.
Given its sheer size and volume of people, the Big Apple also promises artists an unending array of photographic opportunities in its inhabitants, architecture and events. Presenting urban photography at its finest, New York City style:
What is New York Street Photography?
The Big Apple has a long history of street photography, an art form that sees the photographer work to catch real people in real life situations on the city’s streets, helping to depict the overall lifestyle and aura of a place.
Street photography in New York City dates back to the 19th century, when American photographers began capturing the city a la the Parisian tradition, showcasing New York’s raw and gritty nature in contrast to the sensual beauty expounded by street photographers in Paris.
With the emergence of digital photography and relatively inexpensive high-end camera equipment, street photography is now an art form embraced by millions around the world who publish their work on blogs or using photo services like Flickr. If you’re looking for a quick taste of a distant land or exciting city, street photography is highly available and very effective!
For a taste of just how much emotion and personality can be conveyed with a simple photograph, take a look at these excellent sources, each offering the best of New York urban photography:
Weber Street Photography
Urban photographer Matt Weber offers a wide array of galleries on his website, showcasing all that New York City and its inhabitants have to offer. While often dark and even dreary, Weber’s pictures manage to convey a strong sense of empathy for their subjects, helping the viewer to connect with the photograph in a meaningful way.
Organized in galleries that offer a glimpse at every aspect of every borough, you’ll find that you could spend hours taking in Weber’s amazing photographs.
Down the Road: Modern Unique Street Photography
If you have the opportunity to visit New York, consider attending this gallery event showcasing the work of experienced New York street photographers covering nearly every inch of the city, its architecture and its people.
Artists taking part in the Down the Road: Modern Unique Street Photography show, to be held on April 3, 2012, include the above-mentioned Matt Weber along with Jake Dobkin and Clayton Patterson, combining their works to offer a never before seen compilation of New York City’s marvels and moments.
Guido Steenkamp
A man of many cities, Guido Steenkamp is another photographer specializing in urban photography, capturing the heart and soul of Berlin, Germany and Vienna Austria along with New York City.
Capturing New Yorkers in the midst of their every day lives and activities, Steenkamp’s black and white photographs capture the city well, offering a glimpse of people who never stop in the city that never sleeps.
Markus Hartel
Camera in hand, photographer Markus Hartel prowls the subways and streets of New York City, taking a lighter approach to the Big Apple than many of his counterparts. Using both color and black and white techniques to help give each photograph a look befitting its subject, Hartel’s website offers multiple galleries, each dedicated to a different aspect of life in New York.
The subway, the people, the buildings, the monuments and even the sidewalks are covered in beautiful detail, giving those taking in the photographs an unmatched feel for existence in one of the most unique cities in the world.
Author bio
Amy Sway is the creative blogger and social media strategist who is responsible for NYC events for newyorkhotels.org
