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Richard Sandler’s Spectacular Photos of New York City in the 1980s

Imagine New York City in the 1980s: a whirlwind of graffiti-covered subways, bustling street vendors, and a raw energy that pulsed through every corner. It wasn’t all glitz and glamour like the movies. This era was a different side of the city, a time marked by economic struggle, social change, and a unique cultural vibrancy. Richard Sandler, armed with his camera, dove headfirst into this urban jungle, capturing its essence in a way few others could.

His black and white photographs are like time capsules, each image telling a story. We see kids breakdancing on cardboard boxes, their bodies contorting with youthful energy. We witness the worried faces of commuters crammed into subway cars, the weight of the city resting on their shoulders. We encounter vendors hawking their wares, their voices blending into the symphony of city sounds.

Sandler had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He captured moments of joy, like a couple stealing a kiss amidst the chaos, their love a beacon of hope. He also documented moments of struggle, like a homeless man huddled in a doorway, his eyes reflecting a deep sadness.

He wasn’t afraid to get close, to immerse himself in the lives of his subjects. This intimacy is evident in his photos. We feel the energy of a street performer, his face alight with passion. We sense the desperation of a woman begging for spare change, her outstretched hand a symbol of hardship.

The New York City of the 80s was a melting pot, a place where different cultures and social classes collided. Sandler’s photos reflect this diversity. He photographed people of all ages, races, and backgrounds, capturing the essence of what it meant to be a New Yorker during this transformative period.

#1 Inside the women’s room on the Staten Island Ferry, a woman slumps in front of the mirror, 1978.

#2 A woman wearing a rain hat peers distrustfully at the camera lens as she stands in a doorway on Fifth Avenue, 1984.

#21 A homeless woman stands near overflowing trash on Fifth Ave, 1980.

#22 Young party-goers wait in line to get into Studio 54, 1982.

#23 Subways covered in tags by illicit painters, 1986.

#24 A woman looks up from a subway car covered in graffiti, 1984.

#25 The comings and goings at TWA Terminal at John F Kennedy Airport, 1978.

#26 A very tall man towers over other New Yorkers who stare in awe on Fifth Avenue, 1987.

#28 A man speaks at an anti-gay demonstration on Sixth Avenue, 1989.

#29 Three sleeping children slump against their carer as another woman tries to protect them, 1982.

#30 A little boy stares at an elderly woman on Fifth Avenue.

#31 A moment at a political convention for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale, 1980.

#32 Rush hour at 57th Street as suited men head to work, 1980.

#33 Two children stare curiously at a homeless man on 32nd Street, 1981.

#34 Women stalk Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue clad in expensive fur coats, 1987.

Written by Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark is a historian and writer who is passionate about sharing the stories and significance behind historical photos. He loves to explore hidden histories and cultural contexts behind the images, providing a unique insight into the past.

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