New York in Black and White Film

March 03, 2020

I had some good adventures in New York City last summer with my friend Sammy Younan, host of the very engaging podcast "My Summer Lair" (also found here).

I've made a few blog posts from that trip already (links found below), but have a few more that I'd still like to share.

Here are my favourite black and white film images from NYC taken in July 2019. All except three were taken with Kodak Tri-X 400 film.

I am writing this post during winter, but it is worth mentioning that New York City was in the midst of a full out heat wave while we were there. Every day was sweaty with the only relief being the air conditioning found in major chain stores, which we naturally visited often to cool down.

 

We started by hitting the gritty streets of Brooklyn...

Wheels and Shadows

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

Which included passing through Broadway Junction Station...

Broadway Junction Station

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

And seeing the Brooklyn Heights Deli...

Brooklyn Heights Deli

Kodak Tri-X 400

By the way, if you love film photography, be sure to look up Brooklyn Film Camera when in Brooklyn! They're only open on weekends but are very nice people and have a great selection of film!

 

We added thousands more steps on the streets of Soho...

Bikes on Broome

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

The following five images were captured while on a Midtown Manhattan photo walk with Leanne Staples of Shoot New York City.

Lowering Prices

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

Boots, Beard, Beret.

Kodak Tri-X 400

Tony Fung

Kodak Tri-X 400

Tony shoots with a Graflex camera during his lunch break. He shared how he gives young people rolls of Ektachrome as a way of encouraging them to try and shoot film. It was great to meet him and talk film photography for a few minutes before moving on with the photo walk.

55

Kodak Tri-X 400

Sport & Diamonds

Kodak Tri-X 400

If you want to explore New York City with a camera I highly recommend joining a street photo session with Shoot New York City. They offer a photo walks in a number of different areas of the city as well as creative workshops, such as abstract street photography. I had a great time with them.

 

After the photo walk I passed by a protest about immigration policies near the Central Library. Some protesters were arrested and taken away on an MTA bus.

On the Bus

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

Greenpoint Avenue Station captured my imagination...

On Delivery

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

We caught a train to meet the incredible New York photographer Jamel Shabazz...

Platform A

Kodak Tri-X 400

Sammy Younan interviewing Jamel Shabazz in his home

Kodak Tri-X 400

Jamel Shabazz

Kodak Tri-X 400

Sammy Younan and Jamel Shabazz in Jamel's office

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

This visit was a real gift. To see and learn more about Jamel, please see my blog post "Vision and Purpose: The Inspiring Life of Jamel Shabazz".

In that post you can also find a link to Sammy Younan's podcast interview with Jamel.

 

We visited the local architecture-for-instagram's-sake phenomenon known as the Hudson Yards "Vessel"...

What Next?

Kodak Tri-X 400

Focal Point

Kodak Tri-X 400

Below the Vessel

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

 

I captured some street scenes near the Javits Conference Centre...

Between Two Shrubs

Kodak Tri-X 400

Cash Only

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

New York Minute

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

Who is Oliver?

Kodak Tri-X 400

 

PD NY

Kodak Tri-X 400

Food Town

Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400

WE BUY

Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400

 

Ascending

Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400

 

Broadside

Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400

 

Thanks for looking!

To see more of my NYC photos, please visit these blog posts:

 


Culture Snap Photography features the work of Toronto-based photographer Henry VanderSpek. Henry specializes in documenting the work of local and international non-profit organizations, special events, live music, street and art photography. To hire Henry for an assignment, please click here to get in touch.
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