“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough,” are the words of celebrated photojournalist and war photographer Robert Capa that Robert Watson took to heart when he fully immersed himself in New York City for two days.
The award-winning Warrington photographer’s aim was to follow in the footsteps of the greats – diving deep into the bustling rhythm of the iconic city to seek out the candid moments and diverse characters that define NYC’s vibrant culture and identity.
Robert’s intense journey took him from the early morning hustle around Rockefeller Plaza to the timeless energy of Coney Island, and now – 27 rolls of film later – he has what he believes to be his best work.
Entitled 48 Hours in New York and curated by renowned art historian, writer and presenter Carrie Scott, Robert’s exhibition is proudly coming to his hometown after making waves at Photo London.
Launching at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery on Friday, 12 September, the show can be viewed for free until 26 October.
Robert’s documentary-style street photography lent itself to his unpredictable encounters in the Big Apple and the self-imposed limit of being there for just two days made him push himself harder and make every moment count.
He said: “For 48 hours I was completely immersed. I wasn’t there to sightsee, just to work with absolute focus. It was exhilarating and exhausting and the best time I’ve ever had with a camera in my hand.
“Because I use film, I never know if the last shot was any good, so I had to keep pushing – pushing myself, pushing the streets, pushing into people’s lives.
“The intensity of those two days, the miles walked, the pressure and joy of it all – that experience has opened more doors in my career than I ever could have imagined.”
A far cry from a typical tourist’s-eye view, Robert’s aim was for each photograph to tell a story and for those looking to almost feel as if they are among the crowd.
Robert, a former winner of Warrington’s Open Exhibition, added: “NYC is a place like no other and it is steeped in street photography history.
“All the greats have shot there and if they’re still alive, they still do. Some of the most respected, like Robert Frank, were immigrants, which gave them a sense of wonder and an outside perspective on everyday life.
“For me, every street corner was a stage. I could stand at one intersection for hours and never run out of subjects – with every change of the lights, hundreds of new people poured across the road, each carrying their own story. The energy was relentless.
“You could spot the locals by their heads-down stride, while the tourists were looking up, phones in hand. It was the locals I wanted to capture – the ones who live and breathe the city.
“The sunlight reflecting back onto the scenes because of all the glass from the skyscrapers also made for a surreal kind of lighting.”
All captured on Robert’s trusty 30-year-old Leica, the endurance challenge and uncompromisingly hands-on approach of 48 Hours in New York has been described as ‘powerful’ by his high profile mentor Carrie Scott.
Carrie also said the work ‘holds its own alongside the greats of the mid-century’.
More validation came when the gallery that represents Robert thought the images were strong enough to show at Photo London – the UK’s premier photography exhibition.
Robert said: “Here I was surrounded by some of the greatest photographs ever taken by the most respected photographers.
“As an artist you’re programmed to feel your work doesn’t quite belong but for once I felt this body of work absolutely stood its ground. I can’t wait to now showcase these images in my hometown.”
48 Hours in New York opens at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery on Friday, 12 September and is free to view. The exhibition runs until 26 October.
Picvture Robert John Watson
Listings information
Exhibition title: 48 Hours in New York
Dates: 12 September to 26 October
Admission: Free
Location: Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JB
wmag.culturewarrington.org
Robert John Watson
Picture Robert John Watson
