STREET MOMENTS Bruce Byers
STREET MOMENTS Bruce Byers
Street Moments Photographs by Bruce Byers Text by Deborah Patton Š Bruce Byers 2011 www.streetmoments.com
This book is dedicated to my father. I wish you were here to laugh along with me and my work.
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Capturing the Moment Bruce Byers has spent over twenty-five years perfecting the art of observing. With a wealth of professional experience matched with a sensitive eye, Byers captures his observations with evocative results. The images reflect a range of emotions, immersing the viewer in each subject’s inner world. Unstaged and unstructured, these images reflect instances of introspection, isolation, joy, serenity and playfulness. Byers has traveled all over the world preserving what he sees on film. Byers explains; “I am intrigued by the visual power of private reveries typically unobserved by the outside world. As you walk down the street, people and objects are always in motion. They seem to come together but rarely collide, flowing seamlessly -- almost as if they were on stage. I find myself stepping into the moment as it is happening, becoming part of it and when I step out, it’s gone. The 35mm lens compels the photographer to be more intimate with the subject. That’s what makes the difference between my work and the stolen shot created by a longer lens.” “People often ask if these images are set up. Few people in my photographs know that I am about to take their picture or know that I have already taken the shot. As a photographer, I capture a moment by being part of it.” Byers adds, “I look at the contact sheets with great anticipation. I’m always amazed at the surprises that appear in the darkroom.” This edition of Street Moments, devoted to New York, is the first in a series. New York is a wonderful playground for Byers. “I hope to captivate you moment by moment as you travel through this book. Since I live in New York, I’m used to the movements of the city. This sets up an interesting challenge for me to dig deeper to find those extraordinary images in ordinary life.”
STREET MOMENTS New York
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Seeing is what it’s all about. It makes me aware of the fun and craziness that is all around us. Not having my camera with me is stressful because moments are bound to happen and I will miss them. I hope you enjoyed seeing life through my images. Fiber prints of any size can be purchased. Please email bruce@streetmoments.com (212) 585-3928 www.streetmoments.com
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Cover Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page
– “Subway Mime” 1992 4 – “RR man” 1973 7 – “Stare” 1998 8 – “Singing in the Rain” 2002 9 – “Talkies” 2001 10 – “UPS” 2002 11 – “Eye” 2002 12 – “Lips” 2002 13 – “Empire Lips” 2002 14 – “Street Tux” 2005 15 – “Party Girls” 2005 16 – “Prada” 1998 17 – “Window Pet” 2002 18 – “Bryant Girl” 2007 19 – “NY Heart Attack” 2009 20 – “Witches” 1996 21 – “Amanda” 1996 22 – “Leaving” 2002 23 – “Replaced” 2002 24 – “Kill Saddam” 2001 25 – “Kill Saddam-2” 2001 26 – “I Hate NY” 1998 27 – “Sleeper” 1998 28 – “Two Worlds” 2010 29 – “Subway Stop” 2010 30 – “Jonny Rocket” 1997 31 – “Top Hat” 1994 32 – “Stop Light” 1996 33 – “Lamp Shadow” 1996 34 – “Newspaper Head” 1996 35 – “Dirty Dozen” 1993 36 – “Glass House” 2002 37 – “Post No Bills” 2005 38 – “Times Square” 2005 39 – “Park Ave Sleep” 2006 40 – “Flute” 2001 41 – “MTA” 1998 42 – “Night Snow” 2002
Page 43 – “Mom!” 2002 Page 44 – “Dollar Bill” 1988 Page 45 – “Yawn” 1996 Page 46 – “New Arrivals” 2010 Page 47 – “Sit” 1998 Page 48 – “Bergdorf” 1998 Page 49 – “Fur” 2010 Page 50 – “St. Nick” 2005 Page 51 – “G.O.D.” 1998 Page 52 – “Walker” 1998 Page 53 – “Baby Dog” 1998 Page 54 – “Prime Meats” 1995 Page 55 – “Walkway” 1995 Page 56 – “Subway Mime” 1992 Page 57 – “Music” 1988 Page 58 – “Con-Ed” 1987 Page 59 – “Kiss Ass” 1998 Page 60 – “Piper” 1987 Page 61 – “Sailors” 1985 Page 62 – “Fleet Week” 2009 Page 63 – “Good Humor” 1981 Page 64 – “Heart” 1985 Page 65 – “Witch Call” 1992 Page 66 – “Glasses” 1986 Page 67 – “Mc D” 1986 Page 68 – “Grand Central” 1986 Page 69 – “125th Street” 2011 Page 70 – “Chairs” 1988 Page 71 – “Suntan” 1988 Page 72 – “575 Fifth Ave” 2009 Page 73 – “Metro North” 2009 Page 74 – “Puppet” 1986 Page 75 – “Park Fence” 2005 Page 76 – “Pick-up” 2005 Page 77 – “Naked Cowboy” 1986 Page 78 – “Neil’s” 1995 Page 79 – “Wedding Cake” 1996 Page 81 – “Crosswalk” 2002 Back Cover – “Read” 2009