Beautiful photography and subjects. ❤️
I have loved Bey's portraits since I first saw them decades ago. I was not familiar with his earlier work, so it is a pleasure to see some of those images here. The direct intimacy of his work is indicative of what must be a lovely and gentle soul.
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I've admired your work since the Artist's Project 40 years ago. So happy to see your success.
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To learn more about the camera Mr. Bey used for his multi-panel, 20" x 24" Polaroid portraits, see Randy Kennedy, "Champions of a Monster Polaroid Yield to the Digital World," June 20, 2016, still available at http://nyti.ms/28ITh8a.
I am born and raised in Harlem most of my life. Is still live here. I seen Harlem from the 1960's to the present. In 2008, I decided to become a documentary photographer by documenting black American life in Harlem in the context of gentrification. For the exact same reasons Mr. Bey focused on: portraying its people with dignity not as the afflicted, was a shared objective. On my learning curve, I sought out black photographers, particularly, ones that photographed Harlem. I heard of Mr. Bey and went to see his book launch for Class Pictures at Aperture. I introduced myself to him, and shared the project which I embarked and sought any advice he could offer. Over the years, we meet at photo events and he is cordial. I am very proud of his accomplishments and he was a mentor, from a distance that I will always treasure.
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Girl with a Knife Nosepin is about as perfect as a portrait can be.
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@Michael, you are absolutely correct. I think it is the result of...less said between photographer and subject. Maybe one word...relax.
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These are gorgeous, revelatory photographs. I noticed the pure visual impact on my first trip through this article. The second time around I fell into the depth and detail, effortlessly conveyed: the turn of a smile, the shape of a glance, the scenes within scenes. Really just wonderful photography.
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A life well lived, a legacy well worth remembering...
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Lovely photos!
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Deeply, beautifully, expressive images; the subjects, the moods, the composition and tonal range of the prints, and more than anything the very human qualities evoked - these are stunning and very moving photographs. "Seeing Deeply" indeed.
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Excellent piece, thank you.
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Profoundly beautiful photographs. Thank you for sharing them!
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What a wonderful piece. The photos are a glimpse of the past and future. Thanks
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