Week 3: Alphabet City

This week I paid a visit to Alphabet city, the once German then Puerto Rican settlement, ever-gentrifying along with so much of Manhattan. One of the unique elements of the area is the prevalence of community gardens (although the downside was all the fencing). This shoot was cut short when the temperature really dropped and the wind picked up - I salvaged a few shots though. (Read below for a few amazing photographers!)

While researching this area, I was really inspired by the work of photographers Geoffrey Biddle and Martha Cooper, who both shot moving photo documentaries of the neighborhood in the 70s and 80s, when Puerto Rican, or rather Nuyorican, culture dominated "Loisaida" as they call it. Having lived in Puerto Rico for 1.5 years, I can only imagine. :) Biddle's storytelling is truly engaging.

For Geoffrey Biddle's Work: Click Here

Martha Cooper is famous for her "Subway Art" documentary, as well as "Street Shots" and "Street Play", which was shot in ABC city. She doesn't have a website, but google images have a few fantastic examples.

Enjoy!