N.Y.C. Possibly 1973 - 1994

Richard Gordon made this black and white photograph, called ‘N.Y.C’ with, what I imagine, would have been a hand-held camera. There is something about the intimacy of the view that suggests this. He has given us a study in greys and whites, in the everyday and the overlooked. The image captures a street scene, dominated by the textures of the city: the asphalt, the metal of the trash can, and the billowing steam. The steam, which seems to be coming from a manhole, blurs the background, creating a hazy atmosphere. Look at how the light catches the steam, almost giving it a solid form. It’s as if Gordon is painting with light and shadow, turning the mundane into something magical. I’m reminded of other photographers like Walker Evans or Helen Levitt, who found beauty in the ordinary. Just like them, Gordon invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, to find poetry in the everyday chaos of city life.