I first discovered Greenwich Village back in the turbulent 1960’s. In those exciting days, the streets were teaming with Hippies, Yippies and the simply curious. The bohemian vibe and 19th century architecture combined to enthrall and capture my imagination. It never let go. Physically, its 19th century charm has been miraculously preserved, although not without relentless efforts by dedicated preservationist over the decades.
Photographically, my inspiration is to convey what I feel – not what I see – when I explore the meandering, labyrinth of streets in Greenwich Village that present us with myriad visual and emotional moments if we pause to experience them.
They mystical quality of each of the Mystic Village photographs is created in-camera without software or manipulation other than a conversion to a black and white image. The impressionistic characteristics of the photographs are rendered completely by the lens itself. The images are composed with a central portion of clarity that quickly recede into soft, impressionistic details. And the black and white? It’s the way I see the physical world behind a veil of color.
And to share with you the fascinating lore and history of Greenwich Village, I will accompany each photograph with a quotes from the landmark Greenwich Village book, The Village, 400 Years of Beats and Bohemians, Radicals and Rogues A History of Greenwich Village, by John Strausbaugh.
All photographs in the gallery, and many more, are available for purchase in a variety of formats and with a brief description of each image.
Thanks for coming and please, enjoy.
Bob Estremera