Robin Michals | COMD 1340 Photography 1

Author: Lindsey Perez

Final Project Statement and Mood Board

My final project is all about capturing the real deal of city life. It’s like this big archive, a collection of moments that show what it’s like for people just doing their thing in a busy city. You know, waiting for the train, hanging out in a park with friends, standing in line for a hot restaurant, or checking out cool art in a museum. I’ll be cruising around Brooklyn and Manhattan, snapping shots in different spots to give you a feel for the everyday scenes. No frills, just genuine slices of urban life. I’m going for that street photography vibe—capturing the raw and spontaneous moments that make city living unique. I’ll mix it up with wide shots to show off the city’s vibe and some close-up portraits for those personal moments. Natural light is my go-to, and I’ll throw in some motion shots and lots of vibrant colors to catch that city energy. Basically, it’s like taking a chill stroll through the neighborhoods, giving you a visual diary of what goes down when people are just being themselves in the city. It’s not just about the pics; it’s about soaking in the vibe and telling a laid-back story of the city’s rhythm.

Below are some of the photographers who will inspire this project.

Girma Berta is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is a self-taught street photographer who composes his images in a really unique way, creating contrast using strong and harsh colors. His work guides the viewer through the everyday life of African people not in a documentary, but more like in a fine art style. His work has been featured in different publications, and exhibitions internationally and received several awards.

Helen Levitt (1913-2009) captured a poetic view of mid-20th century New York City. She photographed women, children, and community street life. Her images of the city are warm and approachable. They show a side of urban life full of community. Her pictures are vignettes of domestic life.

Saul Leiter (1923-2013) was an American photographer working in the 1940s and 1950s. He photographed in black and white. But he is known as an early pioneer of color street photography. His images capture the quiet moments of the city. Soft focus and reflections give his pictures an impressionistic, painterly quality.

Phil Penman was born in the UK and he was raised in New York. He’s been documenting the ever-changing life of the city for more than 25 years. Besides being a street photographer, he photographed celebrities. Also, he followed historical events like 9/11.

Xyza Cruz Bacani is a Filipina street and documentary photographer. She is based in Hong Kong and her mission is to raise awareness of under-reported issues. She won numerous awards and her work has been exhibited worldwide. She is one of the Magnum Foundation’s Human Rights Fellows. Besides this, she won several titles and awards. She’s a true visual storyteller and she’s found perfectly how she can use her voice to stand for human rights.

The London-based Joshua K. Jackson is a street photographer, whose work focuses on the connection people have with their surroundings. He can perfectly capture small interactions between people as well. He uses color and lights to enhance the atmosphere an everyday scene can have. A lot of his images are shot at night when people are going home, sitting in bars, or talking with each other. His perfectly composed images express love, loneliness, and intimacy.

Homework 1 – Lindsey Perez

The photo I chose is “Lower East Side 1988” shot by Janette Beckman for her ‘US YOUTH’ collection. This photo captures a playful moment between a group of kids in front of a Bodega in the Lower East Side with their boombox in tow. I believe the intention of the photographer was to showcase the Latino youth in the neighborhood during a time when the Lower East Side was predominantly black and brown. During the 80s it was also a very difficult time for residents of the Lower East Side as they were dealing with rampant drug use and crime. The photo shows the other side of the neglect of the neighborhood – the innocent kids enjoying one another. The feeling this image invokes is joy and the community. 

One of the formal elements I’ve noticed in this photo is the Figure to Ground in the contrast between the kids and the Bodega and the awning behind and above them. I also noticed the Diagnols along the edges of the awning and the store windows behind the kids. Another formal element I see in the image is some Symmetry. With the boombox directly in the center and the kids around it, it creates a sense of balance that is pleasing to the eye. These elements help convey the playfulness of the neighborhood kids with a background that is quintessential New York City. If it weren’t for the boombox, you can barely tell that it was taken in the 1980’s. This shows how some areas in New York City can look almost frozen in time. This photo speaks to me as someone who grew up in New York City with a father who owned a Bodega which was the backdrop to my own life for so long. This image is peak New York.