• we are gathered
  • Fashion
    • NYFW
    • Cotton Bride
    • Sustainable Fashion
    • Garment District
  • Lifestyle
    • Food Photography
    • Portraits
    • Kiddo
  • Projects
    • Cello Players NYC
    • Glendalis
    • Italy
    • Joffrey Ballet
    • Medusa
  • motion
  • published
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • we are gathered
  • Fashion
    • NYFW
    • Cotton Bride
    • Sustainable Fashion
    • Garment District
  • Lifestyle
    • Food Photography
    • Portraits
    • Kiddo
  • Projects
    • Cello Players NYC
    • Glendalis
    • Italy
    • Joffrey Ballet
    • Medusa
  • motion
  • published
  • Blog
  • Contact
Brad Farwell, check me out, new york times, nyc street photography, two way mirror |

January 24, 2013

| by Angela C

Artist Series / Brad Farwell

 
 Interview by Angela Cappetta

Brooklyn artist Brad Farwell’s work has been shown at Arthouse at the Jones Center in Austin, the American Academy in Rome, Rick Wester Fine Art in NYC, and the Noorderlicht Photo Festival in the Netherlands.  He was recently featured on NY Times Lens portfolio Check Me Out. 

Brad says about the NY Times commission:

“Working behind a two-way mirror in various locations around Manhattan, I photographed that instant on the street when we glance and check out our reflection.  The images capture a gaze which is unguarded and unsettlingly direct.”

“It was unusual for me; the (NY Times) magazine had been interested in this phenomenon, and they were familiar with my projects in Times Square and in the Pantheon, work which was also about distilling down this fraction of a second where people are concentrating their gaze on an image (those projects both looked at tourists and how they ‘performed’ the act  of memory creation with cameras.) Siobhán Bohnacker, one of the editors, contacted me out of the blue, and after some initial brainstorming, I sketched out the design with the mirror, bought some weird supplies, sewed together the opaque black ‘booth’ that I stand in behind the mirror, packed it all into a cab with my assistant, and went shooting.”

1) What is involved in setting up a 2 way mirror on a NYC street?  Permits?

I was shooting from inside private spaces (storefronts, museums, etc.) so there weren’t any permits involved.  It was important that the mirror seem like part of the streetscape, perhaps covering some construction or a broken pane of glass, so that the people walking by would  react to their reflection, rather than wondering what was going on behind it.  The hardest part was standing behind it in a ski mask, gloves, and a black suit for hours at a time staring through the camera and hoping that a) I would have my camera pointed at the right person, and that b) I could react fast enough to get the shot.

2) Do you shoot a lot?

We have two small kids, and I teach during the school year, so I work at breakneck speed for short periods of time, traveling to a location and shooting all day every day.  Even if my schedule weren’t so packed, I would probably still work this way – there’s something about the total immersion of shooting that allows me to start to see repeated patterns or connections.  Returning to a place several days in a row helps you understand how it works, how people function in a particular space. 

3) Is this your first time using a two way mirror?

Yes.  I’ve used regular mirrors in other projects but never shot through one.

4) Why are you interested in this subject matter?

I am interested in the frankness, intensity, and unguarded nature of peoples’ expressions; This offers a type of portraiture that gives a unique connection to the subject.  The act of viewing and its relationship to perception are fascinating.

5)  What do you see yourself photographing next?

I’m working on two longer-term projects.  One uses 35mm slides shot without a lens, generating tiny color-field images, which are resolutely non-representational.  The other project looks at memory and impermanence which is being made with large-scale panoramas and long exposures. 

6) If someone wants to acquire your work whom should they contact?

They can contact me directly, brad@bradfarwell.com

Post navigation

Older Newer

Recent Posts

  • Valentine’s Day Proposal Photography
  • What is Documentary Style Photography?
  • NYFW Highlights: Model Alliance
  • Love Notes: Put a Stamp on it
  • Seven Photographers Bring New Energy to Self-Portraiture

Recent Comments

  • Photo Tips for Wedding Season Couples Looking for a Photographer on published work
  • Publish Perish the eternal artist dilemma Photography NYC on published work
  • Publish or Perish – Angela Cappetta on published work

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • December 2014
  • September 2014
  • June 2014
  • April 2014
  • January 2014
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • September 2012
  • July 2012
  • May 2012
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • April 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010

Categories

  • #MS #shopping #jewelry #jewelryforacause #shannonrusbuldt #brass
  • 1920's wedding
  • 21c
  • 50th birthday
  • abigail kirsch wedding
  • actor
  • actress
  • ad campaign
  • adidas
  • advertising photography
  • aine
  • aine rose campbell
  • Aldie Mansion
  • alexander mcqueen
  • aline smithson
  • Andrew
  • angela cappetta
  • angelo lambrou dress
  • Ankarra
  • anniversary shoot
  • anthropologie
  • anxieties
  • anxiety
  • art for sale
  • Art Nouveau Wedding
  • art show
  • asia
  • at home
  • athlete
  • athletic club
  • attractive
  • available light
  • ayakem
  • baby
  • back
  • ballet
  • ballet photography
  • ballet photography unpugged
  • bantam weight
  • barn
  • barn venue
  • barn wedding
  • barn wedding location
  • bay of bengal
  • be my bridesmaid
  • be my bridesmaid shoot
  • beach
  • beijing
  • bengal
  • best buy
  • BHLDN
  • Biddle Mansion
  • birthday
  • black and white photography
  • blonde
  • bloom
  • boardwalk empire
  • boardwalk empire wedding
  • bohemian wedding
  • bombshell
  • book project
  • bough
  • boughs
  • Bouley
  • bowery
  • boxer
  • boxing
  • Brad Farwell
  • branding
  • breastfeeding
  • bridal
  • bridal veil
  • bride
  • brides
  • bridesmaids
  • british columbia
  • Bronx wedding
  • brooklyn
  • brooklyn botanic garden
  • brooklyn bridge
  • brooklyn bridge park
  • brooklyn heights
  • brooklyn minds
  • brooklyn wedding
  • bruce willis
  • buck's county
  • burlesque
  • call for interns
  • canada
  • career
  • career transition.
  • carlene
  • cartier ring
  • catalpa house
  • catskills wedding
  • cellists
  • cello
  • central park
  • central park south
  • central park zoo
  • chalk
  • chalk art
  • chalk artist
  • check me out
  • chelsea exhibit
  • chelsea NYC
  • chelsea piers
  • chelsea piers weddings
  • cherry blossom
  • chiang mai
  • children
  • chinese tea ceremony
  • christmas
  • christmas tree
  • christmas trees
  • Chuppah
  • city cello
  • city hall elopement
  • city hall wedding
  • classical music
  • Clear Top Tent
  • close friends
  • color
  • color film
  • color photography
  • commoncreativ
  • comparison
  • cones
  • conference
  • construction
  • controversy
  • cottonbride
  • court house pictures
  • courtney
  • crash mansion
  • Cuomo
  • daily beast
  • daily life
  • dance
  • dance photography
  • dance training
  • dancers
  • darkroom
  • Deco Wedding
  • decor
  • decorate
  • deep south
  • designer
  • destination wedding
  • diamonds
  • digital
  • disaster
  • dm and ricky
  • documentary photography
  • documentary style photography
  • dog
  • doha
  • Dom Streater
  • DOMA
  • dominique streater
  • downloadable PDF
  • durham
  • early spring
  • eataly
  • editorial
  • elegant party
  • elopement
  • emerald. rocky mountain wedding
  • emotional theater
  • engagement
  • engagement sitting
  • engaygement
  • England
  • equality
  • Erica and William
  • exhibit
  • families
  • family
  • family affair
  • family photography
  • family reunion Hsieh
  • farm venue
  • farm wedding
  • fashion ad campaign
  • fashion designer
  • fashion is for everyone. couture
  • fashion week
  • fashionweek
  • fbi
  • fearlessms
  • fearlessms.org
  • feather weight
  • fig and olive
  • film
  • film photography
  • finger puppet
  • flash photography
  • flatiron
  • flying
  • Ft Tryon Park
  • ft. greene park
  • gallery
  • garden
  • garden wedding
  • gary's loft
  • gay
  • gay engagements
  • gay marriage
  • gay pride
  • gay rights
  • gay wedding
  • gay wedding photography
  • gay weddings
  • gays in the military
  • gender
  • gender fluid
  • gender is fluid
  • german actress
  • Ghostbusters
  • glacier
  • glasses
  • Gleason's
  • Gleason's Gym
  • good morning america
  • green dress
  • Greenwich Hotel
  • grooms
  • grunge
  • gunslinger
  • gwarlingo
  • hair photography
  • head scratcher
  • healthcare
  • Heather Hardy
  • Heather the Heat
  • helmutlang
  • help portrait
  • henna
  • henna night
  • henry jacobson
  • high school sweetehearts
  • highlands
  • hipster
  • HMU
  • ho ho ho
  • holiday
  • holidays
  • home
  • hong kong
  • Hudson River
  • hudson valley farm wedding
  • hudson valley wedding photography
  • hyuck preserve
  • Ice cream
  • image source
  • indian ocean
  • inspred
  • interns
  • internship
  • interview
  • iowa
  • iphone photography
  • israeli grooms
  • james popple
  • jazz cello
  • jazz music
  • jeffrey
  • jeffrey marsh
  • jersey city wedding
  • Jewish Wedding
  • jimmy choo
  • jody
  • jody kemmerer
  • joffrey
  • joffrey ballet
  • joffrey ballet photography
  • joplin
  • joplin tornado
  • joseph abboud
  • Julie and Pete
  • kathy ryan
  • Kelly and Dan
  • Kemi
  • kemmerer
  • kid photography
  • kids
  • kilt
  • kitchen
  • krabi
  • L train
  • la times
  • landmark building
  • lavender
  • Lavish Wedding
  • Lee
  • leica
  • lens flare.
  • lensscratch
  • LGBT wedding
  • lgbtq
  • Liberty Warehouse
  • Life moments
  • lighthouse at chelsea piers
  • lincoln's birthday
  • lindsay
  • Lindsay and Andrew
  • LMSW
  • location photography.
  • loew's
  • loews jersey city
  • loft
  • loft wedding
  • log cabin
  • london
  • long island
  • long island city
  • love is love
  • luxury brands
  • male models
  • Mansion
  • marc
  • march 2015
  • marinet
  • marinette
  • mark panz
  • mark panzarino
  • marriage proposal
  • marriott
  • marriott hotel
  • maxi
  • maximiliane bauer
  • May
  • medicine
  • medium format
  • medusa
  • mercedes benz fashion week
  • Meredith
  • michelle
  • michelle bloom
  • Ming
  • mirror
  • mixed race
  • mixed race family
  • model
  • model alliance
  • model wedding
  • models
  • modern
  • montauk
  • movie
  • MS
  • multiple sclerosis
  • music
  • music photography
  • musicians
  • muslim wedding
  • new face of medicine
  • New Leaf
  • new school
  • new york athletic club
  • new york city
  • new york fashion week
  • new york post
  • new york state.
  • new york times
  • new yorker
  • newsweek
  • NHPR
  • nikon
  • nikon DSLR
  • nine cakes
  • nordic
  • nordic in spired
  • north carolina
  • NPR
  • ny athletic club
  • NY Botanical Garden
  • nyc
  • nyc documentary
  • nyc documentary style wedding photography
  • nyc editorial photography
  • nyc fashion
  • nyc fashion week
  • nyc hair photography
  • nyc marriage bureau
  • nyc models
  • nyc street photography
  • nyc summer wedding
  • nyc wedding
  • nyc wedding photography
  • nyfw
  • ob nurse
  • ombre
  • opening
  • orb
  • orb models
  • outdoor wedding
  • outside
  • owen
  • owen and carlene
  • PA wedding
  • panzarino
  • PDFs
  • people
  • per se
  • perfect backdrop
  • philadelphia
  • photo show
  • photographers
  • photographing family
  • photographing life
  • photography
  • physique
  • pier 60
  • pine
  • pink
  • poda
  • pointe
  • portrait
  • portraits
  • power couple
  • practice
  • pregnant bride
  • president's weekend
  • press
  • private practice
  • Project Runway
  • project space
  • projects
  • prom
  • prom night
  • promo
  • pronovias
  • prop 8
  • proposal
  • psychiatrists
  • psychiatry
  • psychology today
  • q models
  • qatar
  • radio interview
  • real food catering
  • red dress
  • Red Hook Brooklyn
  • red packets
  • red wedding dress
  • reflection
  • renovation city hall
  • rensselaerville
  • rock n roll
  • Rockefeller Estate
  • romance writers of america
  • Romantic getaway
  • roof
  • rooftop
  • roundup
  • rugged
  • rustic wedding
  • RWA15
  • same sex wedding
  • same sex weddings
  • Sarah Ziff
  • saturnalia
  • scarf
  • scout willis
  • scouts general
  • se asia
  • shannon rusbuldt
  • shotgun
  • shrink
  • shrinks
  • small party
  • snow
  • solé
  • southeast asia
  • spring
  • spring in NYC
  • spring wedding
  • stellamccartney
  • stephen
  • steve
  • street photography
  • string instruments
  • style me pretty
  • style wedding photography
  • styled shoot
  • styled wedding
  • styled wedding shoot
  • summer
  • summer photos
  • sunrise
  • super
  • superintendent
  • TappanHillEstate
  • tara stiles
  • taylored productions
  • tent
  • thailand
  • Thanksgiving
  • the bowery
  • The Bridal Garden
  • the chocolate room
  • the cotton bride
  • The Dessertist
  • the foundry
  • The Highline
  • the lions
  • the model alliance
  • The New American Family
  • the Plaza
  • TheCloisters
  • therapy
  • tiffany
  • tine tree time
  • tolerance
  • training
  • Travel
  • tree
  • tumbler
  • turkey
  • two way mirror
  • UK
  • Uncategorized
  • upper middle class
  • upstate wedding
  • valentine's day
  • vancouver
  • vanderbuilt republic
  • veil
  • vince cianni
  • walker evans
  • we are gathered here
  • wealthy
  • wedding cake
  • wedding dress
  • wedding luncheon
  • wedding photography
  • wedding proposal.
  • wedding shoot
  • wedding thing
  • weddings by bettina
  • weddings unveiled
  • whistler
  • williamsburg
  • winter
  • xmas
  • yoga
  • zoo

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org

© Angela Cappetta / Designed by Kormas Studio