The ‘Real’ New York: Gritty Scenes Of NYC Street Life In The 1970s

South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

The photographer and documentarian Camilo José Vergara uses photographs as “a means of discovery, as a tool with which to clarify visions and construct knowledge about a particular city or place.” Pictures, for Vergara, are the starting point in asking questions or linking to other images or investigating new territories and ideas.

In 1970, Vergara began documenting New York street life capturing the children, families and communities living among the city’s urban decay. Vergara’s photographs showed parts of New York that looked like bombed-out war zones, deprived areas suffering the worst of both city and state indifference.

h/t: mashable, dangerousminds

East Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Girls with Barbies, East Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Puerto Rican wedding, East Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Fifth Ave at 110th Street, East Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Cadillac Fleetwood, Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Lexington Ave, Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Bronx River, Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

On the way to Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

View of the World Trade Center under construction from Duane Street

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Hoe Avenue at 172nd Street, Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Social Club sign, South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Lower East Side, Manhattan

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Lower East Side music shop

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Militant display, window, Bushwick, Brooklyn

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Avenue C, Lower East Side

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Boy, Morrisania, South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Hunts Point, South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

1148 Longwood Avenue, Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Lower East Side, Manhattan

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Eagle and Westchester Avenues, Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

East Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

Garage, Bushwick, Brooklyn

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

113 South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

East 167th Street, South Bronx

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

65 East 125th Street, Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

65 East 125th Street, Harlem

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress

View of lower Manhattan from the Manhattan Bridge

Camilo José Vergara/Library Of Congress