Noir York City
By Stacy Librandi
13 May 2009
I wanted to share a group of photographs I have put together, and a little about why I shot them and how they were processed.
I moved to New York last year. Since then I have been shooting weddings, bartending, babysitting...anything to pay the rent. I also recently discovered how much I hate shooting in a studio, and how much more rewarding it is to use only available light. To take it a step further, to only use available light and candid, unsuspecting subjects...and making it look like a stylized portrait. It's fun, challenging. It passes the time ;) There is only one shot in this group that I lit up...the boxer shot was not a candid, but it was shot in a boxing ring. I started showing up to art parades, dance rehersals, block parties, and fires, etc. The people I shoot are everyday people, at work or play, and usually complete strangers. The fires are the best...these FDNY guys are great for candids...I started hanging out in my car with a cup of coffee, my 3 kids, my cameras and a scanner, waiting for emergencies to pop up in the Bronx. My 9 year old daughter has gotten very good at listening to the scanner, so I guess it's been a family affair. Lots of photographers are there to shoot the fire, or capture the scene...I just want their fierce expressions and the rest is quiet to me. I am also, obviously, heavy handed on the burn tool, and I like to lower saturation for skin tones. I tend to find one color to focus on, and really mute all the others. My editing is really simple dodge/burn, saturation and sharpening...though it takes a long time!
I like to bring out the charachter in their faces, and highlight any emotion. If I can capture a person's eyes I am especially happy, since it is difficult in candids to get someone as they look directly at you...or in your general direction. Eyes are so important, they bring out so much in a portrait..although sometimes when they look away it says a lot...Thank you for reading.
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2 responses
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Michael Adams gave props (14 May 2009):
My vote! Very cool series and looks like you have found a style that suits you very well!
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Jamie Emmerson gave props (15 May 2009):
Fantastic shots and an interesting story to back them up. Continuity of style is great!
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