Photographs by Rudy Collins
We love these images by master photographer Rudy Collins of his birthplace taken on the Harlem Streets over the last month during the COVID Crisis.
When Rudy, sent the images to us, we asked him why some of the images in this installment of Rudy’s World are black and white images and some of them are in color?
Rudy wrote back stating:
I grew up on black and white tv. I remember the show The Naked City, the black and white images catch a grittiness, while the color images brighten it up. The black and white images reflect the barrenness and the grayness of a pretty damn gray situation if you ask me! I left the house to catch a few shots of the “shutdown at noon” on a nice Saturday, the streets were visibly empty, but for a few.
A 1950’s “Science fiction movie” scene came to mind. Afterward, I thought about how all of the stores are shuttered, no commerce, not a good sign at all, hopefully after all of this, people will reflect on the spiritual implications of an event so big. Who else can do something that can affect all of mankind like this?
The planet is clean, is he saying:
“stop screwing it up, this is my best work, the Earth, and Man. I can remove you and start over again!”
I’m just sayin … we may be getting a second chance … don’t screw it up, Man.
Rudy Collins is a Harlem photographer with an emphasis on the art form of the Brownstones of Harlem, block by block. Exhibited at Interfaith, Harlem State Office Bldg., Gallery, Borough of Manhattan President office, and other venues. He has been contributing photographs for Rudy’s World in Harlem World Magazine for over a decade. My images make us stop and take a look at what one would generally pass by. www.rudycollins.com
