I am a street photographer in downtown Manhattan.   I’ve lived in Manhattan all my life, except for university, and now live in Hudson Square, a fledgling neighborhood between Soho, the Village and Tribeca.

I could liken myself to the scholar-poets who painted such ineffable landscapes in ancient China, but since I lack any skill with the brush, that is a bit of a stretch.  And my work is entirely effable.  But I do write poetry passably and would disdain any jobs with our imperial court, if one were offered, and I don’t mind drinking a little bit, so it may not be completely fanciful.

But since I’m a sucker for gadgets, it does require a little squinting to see me that way.   And my townhouse is sumtious and technologically advanced.  So count me among the hypocrites that would like to be seen as uniquely individual, as one who loves beauty and integrity of spirit, but is very inelegant in the pursuit of it, and hopeless in presenting it.

For me, moving to digital photography from film has been nothing but a blessing.   I love how interactive digital is, how the short feedback loops allow rapid learning and experimentation. I especially love that engaging the complete process from capture to processing to printing makes it possible to clarify artistic intent.  In digital, the decisive moment does not only happen when the picture is visualized and the shutter released, but is a continuous and on-going process.

This is truly a golden age for serious photography and for life on the streets of our great cities.

Frank Dobbs

January 11, 2013