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46 Vintage Photos That Capture New York’s Subway Since The ’80s
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Legendary New York-based fashion, documentary, and street photographer Jamel Shabazz has been scanning the scenes of New York City for about 40 years now, reflecting its lifestyles, moods, fashions, and social struggles. Jamel Shabazz's work goes far beyond street photography, it is pure sociological documentation that has immortalized decades of New York City’s culture.
In the early ’80s, Shabazz borrowed his mother's inexpensive point and shoot camera, and with just the basic knowledge of photography art, he learned from his professional photographer father, started his photographic journey beginning with close friends and schoolmates. He ended up making the Big Apple his set, telling honest and uncovered stories through stunning pictures.
What better way to capture the city’s vibrancy and diversity than going where nationalities, cultures, and personalities meet, the city’s lifeline – the NYC subway. "The overwhelming majority of subjects I photographed have been complete strangers who I would meet during my many expeditions on the train. I focused my lens on everything from students, police officers, the homeless, entertainers, and everyday people going about their business of the day,” Jamel Shabazz told Bored Panda about his historical photos.
In celebration of his work, the Galerie Bene Taschen in Cologne (Germany) will be hosting his famous photos 'City Metro, an exploration of New York City’s transit system through the eyes of Shabazz' until February 2, 2019. The exhibition contains 30 photographs that portray his incredible talent to integrate himself into urban life and capture its unfiltered spirit.
"What I like most about the photoshoots, is meeting new friends and freezing historic and meaningful moments in time. So many of the people I photographed 30-40 years ago may have initially been unfamiliar to me, but as time would pass many of them became close friends, some even became love interests,“ said Shabazz.
More info: jamelshabazz.com | Instagram
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A Frozen Moment, Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC
Soros For Life, Crown Heigths, Brooklyn, NYC 1981
Twin 1 & Twin 2, Brooklyn, NYC 1980
Untitled, Spanish Harlem, NYC 1980
The Love Connection, NYC 1982
Church Ladies, Harlem,NYC 1997
This looks more like the 1950's than the 1980's. Loving them church hats.
The Righteous Brothers, NYC 1981
Tougher Than Leather, Brooklyn,NYC 1980
that guy on the bottom left probably has a cassette player! who remembers?
Secret Lovers, NYC 1997
I love pictures of couples like this when they don't know their picture is being taken. It's so real and you can almost feel the electricity between them.
On The Uptown D Train, Flatbush, Brooklyn, NYC 1982
The Fox & The Wolf, Manhattan Bound F Train, NYC, Early 2000’s
Tougher Than Leather, Brooklyn, NYC 1980
Rush Hour On The Brooklyn Bound J Train, Mid 1990’s
This picture captures the meltin' pot that was/is NY. Afroamerican girl probably into the latest pop/R&B music (of that era) sitting next what to me seems a jewish man. Many degrees of separation sitting so close.
If It Concerns You, Brooklyn NYC 1980
The Observer, Brooklyn, NYC 1982
The Wisdom Bodies, Brooklyn, NYC, Early 1980’s
Opposites Attract, NYC, 1990’s
Tougher Than Leather, Brooklyn, NYC 1980
A Frozen In Time, Brooklyn, NYC, Early 1980’s
There were all kinds of things on the subway in the 80's. I was on the train when a heavy guy in a pink tutu and tights danced his way down the train for $
Tougher Than Leather, Brooklyn, NYC 1980
The Corner, East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NYC 1982
I'm from East Flatbush, grew up across from Holy Cross Cemetery..it's changed so much since I was last there..and not for the better.
Old School Love, Brooklyn, NYC, Early 80’s
Daddy‘S Little Girls, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NYC 1980
The photos in the necklaces. His "little girls". Tap the photo and it will open full screen. Easier to see.
Caught In Between, NYC 2000
!["Karen Complains To HR About My Body, I Uno-Reverse Her Complaint, [And Now] Everyone Hates Her"](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/coworker-complains-to-hr-about-womans-body-revenge-latest.jpg "\"Karen Complains To HR About My Body, I Uno-Reverse Her Complaint, [And Now] Everyone Hates Her\"")
Has anyone else noticed most of the trainers/sneakers shown are still for sale today!!!! Adidas nailed it back then! Lol
"People" bugging about train or bus that's amused me. Who cares about what it was, just enjoy the photo...geeez!!!
I don't want these photos to end.. :(
Has anyone else noticed most of the trainers/sneakers shown are still for sale today!!!! Adidas nailed it back then! Lol
"People" bugging about train or bus that's amused me. Who cares about what it was, just enjoy the photo...geeez!!!
I don't want these photos to end.. :(