LUST & RUM

The Prince of Manhattan

Lust and Rum — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:42:43 +0000

New York City has its fair share of the wild, the wacky and the wickedly wonderful (see ‘Peacocks’). As a typically reserved Englishman, I am constantly surprised by the bizarre characters who prowl the streets here without fear of ridicule or confrontation. Manhattan glows like a neon magnet for the strange and the disconnected. I have always secretly admired the people who just go about their lives without a care for what others may think of them or their lifestyle choice. I guess there are not many of us who do not, at some point, harbor a desire to be free of the restraints of acceptability that a polite and narrow minded society imposes on us, but there is a glorious strength in being able to step away from the sepia of normality to dance in the light of a different sun. Obviously, there is a very narrow line between fearless self expression and marginal insanity, many spend their lives standing precariously along it. What makes this nonconformist approach so compelling? The complete lack of need to ‘fit in’ is alien to most of us, and let’s be honest, we all tend to fear what we don’t understand.

So here we are, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce the magnificent ‘Prince of Manhattan’ and his faithful and beautifully pedicured companion. Along with a few other edge dwellers who merit a mention.

The magnificent ‘Prince of Manhattan’ Upper East Side, Manhattan

‘Waiting for the end of the world’ Cooper Square, NoHo

With a whole new wardrobe, ‘The last King of Scotland’ Lincoln Centre, West Side

‘Where did you get that @ ?’

Filed under: People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York, New York City, NYC, people, Photography, Street Photography

Rotten to the Core

Lust and Rum — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:00:43 +0000

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office has announced that housing support payments to the New York City families left homeless by Superstorm Sandy are to be stopped. It seems compassion and decency has its limits within the halls of absolute power and these victims are a disposable commodity. Like most political cowards, city officials waited until the nation’s gaze has moved on to other things and then lash out from the shadows. Superstorm Sandy’s victims’ desperate situation will now miraculously disappear from the ‘things to do’ list at City Hall and will make Bloomberg’s record look a little neater when he is finally dragged from his office kicking, grimacing and posturing at the end of this year. The removal of financial aid for temporary accommodation will leave thousands of New Yorkers with nowhere to go, hundreds of families will be cast onto the streets and left to fend for themselves through no fault of their own. Disgraceful? Callous? Shameful? Yet another example of the rungs at the bottom of the ladder being sawn through? Yes, yes, yes and yes. But hey, on the brighter side, the NY job figures in the private sector have reached an all time high. Well done Mike!

With over 50.000 people already living in shelters or on the streets here you tend to think that there isn’t room for even more of the desolate and the broken. But this is New York, the greatest city in the world, there is always room, come on in, make yourselves at home and repeat after me: “can you spare any change?”

Filed under: Homeless, People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York, New York City, New York Homeless, NYC, people, Photography, Sleeping on the Streets New York, Sleeping Rough, Street Photography

Down There

Lust and Rum — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:03:10 +0000

The New York Subway is one of the most extensive rapid transport system in the world. A vast network of well over 460 stations and 650 miles of passenger track that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A twisting, turning, underground maze of connectivity that also offers warmth and light and serves as refuge to thousands of New York’s homeless. I doubt there are many subway stations in Manhattan without a ‘permanent resident’. Some spend the whole of the winter in or around its tunnels and platforms. Below are just a few photographs taken on a single journey across Manhattan.

There is a stunning documentary called ‘Dark Days’ by Marc Singer, it is a real eye opener and not for the faint of heart. For those who have not seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2DFb7ifihg

Filed under: Homeless, People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Candid Photography, Dark Side of the City, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York City, New York Homeless, New York Subway, NYC, people, Photography, Sleeping Rough, Street Photography

Haunted

Lust and Rum — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:56:24 +0000

The more I look at this photograph the more I see. The more I see the more disturbing I find it. I am so used to flitting around the streets of New York thinking I am invisible, sealed in a camera shaped bubble that disconnects me from what I see through it. Not so here. On the platform of the 6 train at 51st and Lexington I spotted this woman, unkempt and disheveled and importantly, from my point of view, she spotted me. Rarely does something like this phase me, but the look in her eyes, staring straight into the lens and bursting the comfort of my bubble made me freeze. There is so much behind those eyes. Eyes that I am guessing have seen things that would defeat most of us. An arrogant and indignant look carved out of circumstance and fed on continual despair. Needless to say, the train arrived and as I expected, she stayed on the platform. I journeyed on with the rest of New York going about their daily business. It was a haunting and humbling experience for me. I doubt that she will ever give my intrusion a second thought, but those eyes will stay with me for a long time.

Filed under: Homeless, People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Candid Photography, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York City, New York Homeless, NYC, people, Photography, Street Photography

Concrete Flowers

Lust and Rum — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:11:01 +0000

While the eyes of America are diverted by the need for media flavored chewing gum, faux celebrity and egocentric politicians who dance and posture like drunken lemmings on the edge of a fiscal cliff, the lost and the broken take root on the sidewalks of New York like unwanted urban weeds that force themselves through the cracks in the concrete.

Tonight in New York City, more than 50,000 people will sleep on the streets or in emergency shelters. Below are five of them.

‘Window Shopper’ 55th Street and Lexington Ave

‘The Wheels on the Bus’ 37th Street and 9th Avenue

‘Homes Fit for Heroes, Heroes Fit for Homes’ 86th Street and 2nd Avenue

‘Establishing Communications’ 86th Street and Lexington Avenue

‘Doorman’ 86th Street and Lexington Avenue

Filed under: Homeless, People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York, New York City, New York Homeless, NYC, Photography, Sleeping on the Streets New York, Street Photography

The Great Divide

Lust and Rum — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:47:28 +0000

New York City has always been a place of contrast and struggle. The gap between the privileged rich and the dirt poor has never been wider. Emphasized this week by the rolling, opulent bandwagon that is NY Fashion Week. A heady, shimmering display of extravagance and indulgence. As a photographer at the event, I guess I am part of it. Helping to feed and perpetuate this glittering circus and earn a living along the way. All of the images below are mine but I think the last one puts the whole thing into perspective.

Designer: Pamella Rowland

Designer: Maison de Urbana

Designer: Venexiana

Designer: Monique Lhuillier

On the outside and just below freezing

Filed under: People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York City, New York Fashion Week, New York Homeless, NYC, people, Photography, Runway, Street Photography, Upper East Side

Lost

Lust and Rum — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:50:31 +0000

I promised myself that I would not bang any big drums here with this blog. I have broken it. My aim was to just post what I see, and let anyone who is interested enough to look at my images to understand what I am doing and make their own decisions as to what they get from them. To feel what I feel and to think what they may about the end product.

I got an email this morning from Mary Brosnahan, President and CEO at Coalition for the Homeless. Not that I am saying that I am that important that she should email me directly. I am on the list so it was sent to any interested people who sign up for it.

It shocked me deeply. 20,000 children are now homeless on the streets of New York. Staggering statistics. I can understand the people who are addicted to substance by choice and now lost to society and the ones who are there by consequence, even the angry and the stupid. but children? It defies belief in what is laughingly called the free world. The land of milk and honey? Only for some perhaps.

I would never, obviously, publish pictures of homeless children. There is only so much people can take. Here are some unfortunate people who have fallen below social consideration.

“Don’t Look”

Subway

Just passing the time

In the Arms of Mary

A Few Steps Below

Filed under: People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Candid Photography, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York, New York City, New York Homeless, NYC, people, Photography, Sleeping on the Streets New York, Sleeping Rough, Street Photography

Just Looking

Lust and Rum — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:44:42 +0000

As the New York summer ends and the last few warm days are made the most of by the majority of the population. Two reluctant swimmers look on from the Coney Island pier. I like the sense of exclusion in this image. A couple on the outside gazing in. Perhaps they feel they are too old, too modest or too uncomfortable with the kind of broad social interaction it would need on their part to join in the fun of the beach below. Perhaps they never did ‘join in’ and have always been happy to view the world from a distance in their own familiar silence. Separated from reality by their elevation and the strong construction of the pier railing, there is a certain safety in their positioning. Well away from the risk of any possibility of criticism or judgement. Not taking part, just looking.

Filed under: People, Places Tagged: Anton Brookes, Candid Photography, Coney Island, Mock Turtle Moon, New York, NYC, people, Photography, Street Photography

After the Party is Over

Lust and Rum — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 02:45:58 +0000

So the champagne glasses have been sipped and re-filled, the backslapping and congratulations have been exhausted. The corporate chalice has been raised to glory and extravagance. The last night at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center has ended. Millions of dollars have been spent, countless thousands of ‘wannabe’s’ have had their moment in the sun, strutting and posing for the media. Feeding this hungry and insatiable audience of ‘fashionistas’ is expensive, but the benefits are immense, for some. Tonight in New York City, life, as we know it, goes on.

Columbus Circle Subway Station

Filed under: Night, People, Places, Street Life Tagged: Anton Brookes, Candid Photography, Dark Side of the City, Homeless, Living on the streets New York, Manhattan, Mock Turtle Moon, New York City, New York Homeless, NYC, people, Photography, Sleeping Rough, Street Photography

The Beauty in the Beast

Lust and Rum — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 02:29:26 +0000

Just to prove that not everything is rotting in New York, here is a glimpse of Manhattan beyond the great divide. The other side of the line where money, opulence and material desire is king. Where faux celebrity and over inflated ego are not just normal but necessary. Welcome to Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week and my day job (for this week anyway). Normal service will be resumed in a couple of days.

Designer: Joanna Mastroianni

Designer: Carlos Miele

Designer: Farah Angsana

Designer: Reem Acra

Filed under: People, Places Tagged: Anton Brookes, Carlos Miele, Farah Angsana, Joanna Mastroianni, Manhattan, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013, Mock Turtle Moon, NYC, people, Photography, Reem Acra