Photos by David Tannenhauser
Stephen Harmon’s Throwback Thursday feature came to an end on the West Side Rag site in August, but his series of Upper West Side photos from the 1970s and 1980s remain an inspiration.
Here are photos of the present-day Upper West Side, including many near one of Harmon’s favorite spots, the area around West 72nd Street and Broadway.
Enjoy the Upper West Side in this moment. And keep an eye out for more photos from David Tannenhauser.
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For the people who are fully recognizable, do you ask permission to post their photos on a website? Or, are we at the point now, if you are outside. you are fair game to anyone with a camera?
No one has ever had to ask permission for photojournalism. Not in this century, or the one before it, or the one before that. Photography has been around since the 1840s. If you don’t want your photo taken, stay inside.
More to the point, WSR, if someone recognizes themself and asks you to take the photo down, will you do them the courtesy?
Exactly my thought. This is not a legal question. People who think it is (much less people who invoke the separate horrors of our constitution-shredding govt) are completely, and I’d say willfully, missing the point.
When in public spaces where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph anything that is in plain view. That includes pictures of other people, federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police. No permission is necessary. Take advantage of this, and your other constitutionally protected rights while you still have them.
Taking the photos is one thing, for personal use. Using them, posting them, selling them is another.
Please…especially in this day and age, nothing outside of our personal dwelling is private. That’s why I always wear clothes and don’t pick my nose in public.
and always color your roots if you will possibly end up on a kiss cam
Please…especially in this day and age, nothing outside of our personal dwelling is private. That’s why I always wear clothes and don’t pick my nose in public.
Not legally
Yes, completely legally. People’s photos just cannot be used for advertising or endorsing a product without permission. Other than that, please check your 19th century photographic roots. It’s so hard for me to believe so many people here have never understood what has been common knowledge for 250 years. Or maybe someone was thinking Matthew Brady asked the dead soldiers on the Civil War battlefields for “permission?”
That has always been the case, there is nothing new in doing this whatsoever
It looks as though someone in one photo is feeding pigeons out of a bag. Makes me think of the recent WSR article about people putting out large quantities of food for pigeons and rats eating that food.
Yup. Not thrilled they posted this particular pic. Doesn’t accomplish anything but glamorizing the act.
Avast me hearties! There’s a pirate rowboat in Central Park!
The photos are appreciated; but, I would love to see captions detailing the location included.
Guess!
the Mr Softee/Workers shot I’d hang on my wall. Nailed it!
Notice how the truck’s butt is blowing into the intersection — so when you’re standing there waiting for the light to change you get to inhale all that exhaust! Yummy! I’ll take mine with an extra scoop of sugar sugar sugar!
Agree- that is a really good one.
My husband has lived on he UWS his entire life (almost 73 years) He loved lookin at these pictures of days gone by. Thank you so much WSR
Great pix. I always enjoy these photographs so much!!
Thank you SO much for not including DOGS in any of the pictures! MUCH appreciated!
Odd comment. Dogs are part of the human landscape and add nothing but pure joy and loyalty.
Fabulous!
Glorious! Thank you, David!
PS, let’s arrest that pigeon feeder!
Nice! Much as I loved Steven Harmon’s photos, David’s are clear evidence that there are still as many interesting, amusing, and appalling things to see on the UWS as there were 40 years ago.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Did all the Black people leave the UWS
No.
A wonderful surprise to see more of Davidi’s photosl Please post more and more…..
Why not have people face you?
They are either far away or taken from the back. Look again at 70s photos
Thank you.
Wonderful pictures!
Wonderful pictures!! Thank you for sharing.
Please do not take and publish my photo without my permission.
Anyone can. Sorry.
In New York, you must obtain written consent to use a person’s image for a commercial purpose, such as advertising. This is required even if the photo was taken in a public place where there is no expectation of privacy. Using a picture in a newspaper that sells advertising is considered a commercial use.
The rule and its exceptions
Under New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51, it is a misdemeanor to use the “name, portrait, picture, or voice” of a living person for commercial gain without their prior written consent. The law includes some exceptions:
Newsworthy exception
This exception applies when a person’s image is used in the context of a truthful news story or matter of public interest.
Recommendations for publishing photos in an ad-supported paper
To avoid potential legal issues, a newspaper that sells advertising should take the following precautions before publishing photos of identifiable individuals:
Get written consent. Always get written permission from any identifiable person if their image will be used to explicitly endorse or promote a product, service, or the paper itself.
Identify the purpose. Determine whether the photo will be used for a newsworthy purpose or a commercial one.
Photojournalism is photojournalism. Good luck trying to claim this is “selling” anything, except a complete lack of comprehension of the history and appreciation of photography.
Doesn’t seem like those exceptions would apply here.
boo-hoo. It’s called street photography!
These are such excellent pictures, both in subject matter and in the visual effect of the light. They capture the feeling of actually walking the UWS on a summer day.
Would Mr. Tannenhauser be willing to share what camera he uses? I’m a budding photographer and I believe these are film (my uncertainty on that should convey how much of a novice I am, since I think that’s obvious to a more experienced eye) but would love to learn anything else I can about the mechanics involved. Thanks, WSR!
Of course, only a shoddy photographer blames her tools…
Great pics!
72nd str around Broadway is my hood. Just kidding, born in Europe but spent years living on 71st str and still coming to shop at the fairway that used to be open 24/7
That’s the only area I would consider buying an apt in the City
I understand the concern for obtaining someone’s permission when taking their photo. That said, I believe that when we’re out in public, we are, well, out in public. We are not in a private area. This brings to mind the amazing street photographer, Bill Cunningham. I’m sure he did not obtain permission from his subjects when he took his weekly candid photos.
I think it’s incredible how many people here are complaining about “permission” when photography and photojournalism have been around for approximately 200 years. No one needs your permission to photograph you on the street. Consider my surprise when I came home from work one night and got into my jammies. Then I remembered there was music I wanted to hear at Lincoln Center. So, I went outside in my pajamas. I figured no one would see me with 1,000 people there. I was dancing at the front near the outdoor stage. Imagine my surprise when the singer called me up on stage to dance with him! Don’t moan about these pictures, folks — I danced on stage at Damrosch Park in front of a crowd of 1,000 in pajamas with funk singer Harvey Scales as he sang “Disco Lady.” It was immortalized in photos by Jacob Blickenstaff. I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of the story. I am thrilled to have the pictures.
The fella pushing the wheeled garbage can near Mr. Softee works in my building. The Mr. Softee truck oftentimes parks on 73rd and Verdi Square, and is my go-to when there is a need (want, desire) for a root beer float.
[…] was happy to see such a lively conversation in response to last week’s photos. Here’s my take on the privacy discussion surrounding street […]