‘Two Men on Stand Pipes Watching Parade, 1975. ‘ (© Paul McDonough. Courtesy Sasha Wolf Gallery, New York City.)
Thanks to Alyssa Coppelman at Slate‘s photo blog, I have discovered photographer Paul McDonough and his wonderful images of New York in the 1970s. Check out a quote and a few choice shots.
‘Street Corner, East Side, Man With Shopping Bag, 1973. ‘ (© Paul McDonough. Courtesy Sasha Wolf Gallery, New York City.)
“McDonough said that tackling street photography today versus the 1960s and 1970s is radically different. He explained via email:
‘The reaction is different today. Cameras are much more ubiquitous now. In the ‘70s there was a whole different atmosphere, it was much more laid back then. People didn’t particularly care if you were photographing them. By today’s standards, where there’s so much media trying to get information from people, people are much more wary. People see cameras as containing the possibility of exploitation. Everyone is spying. Local government, advertisers—they all want to know what it is you are thinking and doing. People were less paranoid in the ‘70s.”
‘Couple, Central Park Cafe, 1973. ‘ (© Paul McDonough. Courtesy Sasha Wolf Gallery, New York City.)
To read about and see more of McDonough”s work hit Slate and Amazon for McDonough’s book.
Previously, on 70s Shots: The Reapers, Bowies & Bee Gees
