As I’ve been working through my archive chronologically, I find myself somewhat disappointed when looking back at this period. At the time, I was juggling a job at a café during the day while shooting commercial assignments—events, meetings, corporate portraits, and more—on evenings and days off. With so much going on, I simply didn’t have the energy or initiative to go out and shoot for myself.
When in doubt…do it!
One of my lingering regrets is the series I wanted to create on Willets Point, also known as the Iron Triangle. I had read an article in The New York Times about its impending redevelopment, and the grit and history of the place immediately intrigued me. It felt like a relic from another era—working-class, rough around the edges, and full of character. I envisioned a long-term project where I could document the people and the environment over time, getting to know the workers and earning their trust to capture something deeper.
I visited a few times, hoping to make myself a familiar face before gradually building connections. But life got in the way, other work took priority, and before I knew it, the area was being razed for redevelopment.
Since then, I’ve learned to prioritize my time. Now, I have the freedom to follow through on my projects in a way I couldn’t back then.
The other photographs from Red Hook and Battery Park come from this same period. Looking at them now, I can see the direction my work was starting to take. These images feel like a bridge to what would come next, so I wanted to share them as part of that journey.
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Thank you for looking.
—Bill