New York is one of the few cities in the United States that has captured the imagination of people around the world. From the Empire State Building to Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there is something unique for everyone at every nook and corner. While social media and cinema have played a key role in making New York a place of many tourists’ dream residential place in recent decades, this was not exactly the case fifty years ago. In a new photo book by acclaimed street photographer Mark Cohen, he shows us a side of the city that many have never seen before.
The lead images in and those within the article are by Mark Cohen, courtesy of Gost Books. Used with permission.
The year was 1973, when Cohen, who was living in a dorm room at New York University, decided to take pictures of the city. He spent about a month living in NYC while attending a film production workshop. Since his classes did not occupy his entire schedule, Cohen chose to walk around the nooks and corners of New York and create images with his camera. However, the photographer only published a few images, with a large segment of his pictures remaining unseen and tucked away. Today, with the release of Tall Socks, Cohen showcases some of the most stunning images from a time gone by.
Left: Man with ladder. Right: Arm in the candy machine.
One of the few challenges residents faced then was the high crime rates in the city, declining quality of life, social issues, and even safety concerns at the subways. New York had hit a stagnation in their economy, further leading to the migration of middle-income groups to suburban areas. These difficulties can be witnessed in Cohen’s photographs of the city. For instance, the graffiti, the waste on the streets, and people standing in queues are a few moments that depict the challenges of that time.
Left: Unknown person. Right: Cigarette and coffee.
However, the photo book does not only focus on the sorrowful aspect alone. Mark Cohen also showcases the lively, enchanting, and often fast-paced instances. Tall Socks does follow a sequence, as the publication was never something Cohen had initially thought of when he set out to make the photographs. Instead, one notices the constant movement or transit of the city’s residents, and Cohen is a part of that group. Change is the only companion for whoever visits New York, and that is evident in the images of blocks and staircases, as well as other details around the city. In some instances, one notices the obvious unwelcoming demeanor of some residents. However, you are also greeted with humor and joy, such as a lady adorned with peacock feathers, an incongruous elephant, and a girl carrying a plank of wood across a cobblestoned street.
Left: People in line. Right: Tall socks.
Another one noticed in the 78 images published in the book is Cohen’s photographic style. He often holds his camera at hip level to capture moments without being too conspicuous. Some may find it intrusive, others may not—that’s your decision to make. However, his closeness with the subjects, coupled with an unusual perspective, is welcoming and inviting. These images today offer valuable lessons that challenge the aesthetic standards set by social media. If you are hungry to learn more about street photography, then Mark Cohen’s Tall Socks is just the right pick for you.
Tall Socks is now available for purchase at Gost Books’ website.