Looking at my page, one can easily see my interest in New York City photography, and the photographer I admire, Paul Strand, was indeed able to capture the turning point of New York City in the early 20th century.
Born and raised in New York, Strand’s photographs focused on everything in the image that has a large amount of detail and a deep depth of field. Working with Stieglitz, his mentor, Strand was inspired by the abstract everyday objects and capturing the shadows of that object in an innovative way from the modern works of European painters. The themes in his works then changed significantly and he focused on movement in the city, abstractions and street portraits. During the early American modernism, he focused on themes of progress and urbanism, photographing automobiles, rushing businessmen, and poor immigrants. At first, Strand was more interested in the slow movements, usually of a person. He then gradually increased the complexity with the compositions featuring the midtown and downtown crowds.
Strand had always wanted to make portraits of New Yorkers without their realizing they were being photographed. What Strand wanted is indeed what I am trying to pursue. I have always been fond of the beauty of people in New York City. It is said that everyone in New York has their own story, and I want to somehow comprehend their stories through photography. In my darkroom photos, there is always a sign of people being in each of them. This makes me be able to feel the connection between my photographs and Strand’s photographs, hence, helps me apprehend the message Strand wanted to deliver through his works of art.