New York City has always been a place of energy and change. The 1960s and 1970s were particularly unique decades. Photographer Paul McDonough captured this era. He did it with his camera, focusing on the everyday life of the city streets.
New York City in the 1960s and 70s was a very different place than it is today. The city faced economic challenges. Some neighborhoods struggled with poverty and crime. At the same time, there was a vibrant artistic and cultural scene. This mix of challenges and creativity made for a fascinating street life.
People from all walks of life mixed on the sidewalks. Fashion ranged from sharp suits to bell-bottom jeans. Music poured out of open windows and doorways. The streets were a constant flow of people, cars, and noise.
Paul McDonough arrived in New York City in 1967. He began taking photographs almost immediately. He wasn’t focused on famous landmarks or celebrities. Instead, he pointed his camera at ordinary people. He captured them going about their daily lives.
His series, “New York City 1968-1972,” is considered his first as a photographer. These photos show a keen eye for detail. They reveal a talent for finding the unusual in the everyday.
McDonough had a special ability to do this. He could see the “decisive moment,” as photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson called it. This is the moment when all the elements in a scene come together. It creates a perfect, unplanned composition.
He captured a unique combination of gestures. A person’s expression, the way they hold their body, the placement of their hands. These small details tell a story. They give us a sense of the person’s personality and mood.
