Capturing the City

Building Something Out of Nothing

"The Empire City, the City That Never Sleeps and the City of Sky Scrapers" are just a few common nicknames that are used when talking about this colossal city: New York, New York. Home of the ever shinning bright lights, yellow taxis, Yankee Stadium and outrageously priced Starbucks Coffee. One can mention the "Big Apple" to almost any person in the world and they will highlight Broadway, Saks Fifth Avenue and the infamous Central Park. However, underneath all the glitz and the glamor, the flashing lights and exhilarating celebrity sightings lies a darker shameful past that can still be seen today.

Since the mid-20th century New York City developed into one of the most powerful cities in the world. It has become the center for trade, communication, commerce and sets many of the world’s trends. In addition, New York has opened its arms to the many thousands of immigrants who have left their homes in attempts to achiev

Picture taken by Jacob Riis

e the "American Dream" or escape racism and persecution. But with that, comes negative side effects. Majority of immigrants were illiterate, uneducated and not familiar with American customs. Because of that, immigrants and other racial minorities where forced to live in squandered, overpopulated housing areas called Tenements. There all of the immigrants tried to make a home out of nothing. They do not possess the luxuries that privileged people have, but in their own way they formed a community.

This picture truly demonstrates the diversity of the many cultures that can be found in the slums of New York City. It was taken by Jacob Riis, who during his career attempted to highlight the true horrors of the poverty. However, this is picture at least in my opinion, does not highlight the horrors of extreme poverty but rather shows the good that can come from it. These people in this photo have taken something as abstract as an alleyway, something that most people would over look, and transformed it into something of importance. This alleyway is a gathering place for their community. The men sit nonchalantly amongst the grime and the filth as though it does not bother them. It is their home and they are trying to make the best of it. Their posture shows how they are not flustered by the presence of visitors, rather, they are intrigued by the people who have come to visit them. Though some may view the laundry hanging from the buildings as conventional, it decorates the building and adds character to the community, bringing the tenements to life.


Photograph by Camilo Jose Vergara



New York City is a "Dog Eat Dog" world. People are continually trying to climb up the social ladder, leaving those who were underprivileged and are not able to adapt fast enough behind. In Kevin Rudolf's song "In the City" he states that "they will eat you alive in the city, while the pull up in fancy cars" meaning that the wealthy, although they embody elegance, are able to rip others apart at their free will. However, in this modern picture of poverty in NYC, we are shown the complete opposite. The kids have turned an abandoned lot with cracked pavements, overgrown weeds and a dilapidated building into their own full court arena. They are not afraid of this spaces ugliness for they have acknowledged their circumstances and have decided to make the best of them.

Overall, through these pictures we are shown that one does not need extravagant luxuries in order to become closer to others and form a sense of community. Perhaps, that is what makes these photographs so beautiful. They have found use for the ugly, broken down and ruined items in their lives. They have claimed it as their own and have refused to remain helpless and suppressed because of their circumstances.

Bellow, I have attached a music video and song lyrics of the song "Across 110th Street" by Bobby Womack. I think this is song is interesting because it show an artist point of view from living in the ghetto. He was always surrounded by temptations avoided them which eventually allowed him to escaped poverty.

Music Video

Across 110th Street Lyrics