Sally Davies’ New Yorkers
A Review by Michael Ernest Sweet
I am in this book. I am telling you this now so that you will not accuse me of something later. With that out of the way, I have to say this is one fantastic collection of photography. The reasons for my opinion are many but, before we get into the specifics, let’s back up and talk about why I am writing about a book of portraits on a street photography website. The answer is simple: Sally Davies is not only a street photographer, but she is also a founding member here at StreetPhotography.com Now, with all this burble behind us, let’s dig in.
Copyright ⓒ Sally Davies
Many readers of this site may already be familiar with the street photography of Sally Davies. Often shot after dark, and in some of New York City’s seediest neighborhoods, her images evoke a kind of visceral emotion. They are at once both beautiful and ugly. They are gritty and yet also refined. The combined result is a signature style that Davies has become known for the world over. For many years we only got street shots from Davies. That is until now.
A couple of years ago, while sitting among the din of an East Village diner, a place Sally and I affectionately refer to as “nasty diner”, Sally lamented the state of street photography – a conversation we’ve all become acquainted with over the years. How does one stay fresh? How does one make any money? Have I shot everything already? And so on. Perhaps not the most optimistic person to chat with about street photography, I told Sally what I tell everyone who drags me into this conversation – dump this shit and move on. But I did add another piece of advice: Go out and shoot something that no one else can shoot. Get access to something that others won’t be able to access. That will lead you to the promised land. Okay, I’m making this up now, I didn’t really say that last line. Was I responsible for pushing Davies over the edge and into greatness? Maybe. Not likely. The point is, she went out and did just that – she photographed a collection of New Yorkers (in their most intimate of settings) that only Davies could have done. From the compelling composition and acute visual sensibility, to the ability to “get into” these people’s homes, no one but Davies could have accomplished this feat. And what a feat it has been. The book is a modern classic and it hasn’t even been officially released!
Copyright ⓒ Sally Davies
Copyright ⓒ Sally Davies
New Yorkers is a visual cornucopia of artifice and eccentricity. The book features more than seventy portraits of New Yorkers in their homes and studios. From artists, writers, teachers, bankers, designers, dog walkers, musicians, cab drivers, and the “born rich”, to more unique characters like loan sharks, pornography writers, telephone sex girls, drag queens, and bootleggers, the book is brimming with the most exciting voyeuristic opportunities. To anyone that thought they knew all about New York and its quirky inhabitants I say this – you don’t know a thing. Nearly every image in the book is a cluttered and busy reveal of homes that range from impressive (even for New York) to places more akin to the developing world. Once you’ve finished gawking at the people, you can then move on to examining these very entertaining backdrops. There are apartments with bathtubs in the kitchens, kitchens in the living rooms, and living rooms in the bedrooms. Mantle pieces laden with penis props, walls of animal heads, rooms of collectible toys, studios of art (one four-foot painting depicts a woman gingerly fondling her vagina). I sometimes used a magnifying glass. I have read the titles of books on tables and shelves, inspected food in cabinets and on tables, and even read prescription bottles. This book is a Where’s Waldo for the adult crowd. There are literally hundreds of hours of viewing between the covers of New Yorkers.
Copyright ⓒ Sally Davies
Copyright ⓒ Sally Davies
Another unique and wonderful feature of this collection of photography is the accompanying text. Not always a fan of text in art monographs – I often feel a good photograph does not need any explanation: for better or worse, there the photograph is – this collection makes profound use of the written word. Not only do we get to ogle over the people and their personal spaces, but we get to read all about them too! From a guy who apparently “performs monologues” to pay the rent, to a woman who worked for a man who included “naked photos of himself” in their pay packets, the narratives combine with the portraits to complete a highly complex narrative that never disappoints.
The physical book is a slight disappointment. The quality is not on par with the quality of the work. The book is too small and the cover is a bit commercial and gimmicky. I was also not particularly impressed with the binding quality. While these are slights against the publisher, and not the author or her work, I still feel they should be mentioned. Ammonite Press could have done better. Indeed, the book would have found a better home with Phaidon or Taschen. The work is truly that good. Sally Davies, we are sad to see your lens leave the street, but oh boy we are also truly thankful for this modern classic collection of stunningly unique portraits.
New Yorkers
by Sally Davies
with a foreword by Stuart Horodner
10.24 x 8.27 inches
160 pages
Available for preorder ( On Sale from April 1st 2021 ) on Amazon. USA
& Available to order from Amazon UK
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