Famous photographer captures Spirit of the Caribbean in new book

May 06, 2018 Book Review…, Features / Columnists

---

 

Book: New York New York: A Visual Hymn
Photographer: Richard Koek
Interviewer: Glenville Ashby, PhD

I met Dutch-Argentinian photographer Richard Koek at a social event in New York City. Stylish and debonair he was quite the centre of attraction as he fielded questions from guests. Koek is a veritable craftsman who has enjoyed worldwide success. His latest book, New York New York: A Visual Hymn is photogenic and highly interpretative. It features the cultural mosaic of the most popular city in the world. And among its myriad themes is the Caribbean Diaspora, a vibrant demographic that has substantively added to the compelling mélange that is the Big Apple.
At what age did you get interested in photography?

I must have been 10 years old and realized that I liked taking pictures. I noticed when I was on vacation I photographed strangers. So people would ask me: “who are these people?” I would say: “I don’t know”.
What sets the photographer apart from other artists?

Being impatient and being a control freak! This is why I made this book. Trying to control everything is a bit suffocating. So I started to walk the streets with a blank mind and let what I encounter dictate what I will do, instead of the other way around.
What is unique about your recent work: New York New York?There are many books on New York. Often they are period pieces: NYC in different eras. There are also many books about NYC from certain angels, such as architecture, or the personal stories of New York.
Since I am from Europe I do have a different take on things. The mundane is still very special to me. My information of what happens in NYC came from the TV, so what I see here is always a movie set in my world. The book is a walk through the boroughs. A wondering eye familiar with his view but filled with wonder and love for all he sees.

You featured the Caribbean Diaspora in your latest work. In fact, there is a truly vivid photo of Carnival celebrations in Brooklyn. What was that experience like? Tell us about the people you met.
I have some Caribbean friends and have had a relationship with someone from Suriname, a country that seems similar to my native home.
The images were made during the West Indian Day Parade in 2017. I wanted to be on the streets with the parade not on the side line. Suddenly, I was in the middle of these birds of paradise costumes. Revelers were waiting to dance ahead and this is what I saw. The girls were on their phones and were showing some frustration. It was perfect for me. A backstage view to me is always more exciting than the stage view. I am looking for that “fly on the wall” point of view. This empowers my work.

If you ask me about the Caribbean people I met, I must be careful not to generalize. They can be kind and generous and of course, they can be the opposite. Like any other people I meet daily.
How long did this particular project take to complete? Were there any setbacks?
The project is 80% photographed in 2017 and the rest are taken from my archive of 10 years. Always setbacks of course. Especially since a big publishing house asked me to do this, I am involved in corporate decision making and deals with many motivations, such as, image, selling, selling and selling.
They do believe in my artistry, however their goal is to sell books. So sometimes they decide to do things differently.
Photography has changed over the years with digitization of the industry. Has this development taken away from the creativity and intuition of the photographer?
No, I don’t agree, although I believe the power of print is big. A book has such an impact on the viewer. Print forces one to pause and really look at the image. Digital images are to be liked or swiped away. They have a strong first impression but don’t coerce the viewer to stand still and look for a story. They hit emotional levels, they give a quick fix. Then again, digital photography is wonderful. It created a democratic world where literally everybody can take pictures cheaply. My intuition as a photographer and my creativity is the same. I have more tools to express myself and have many amateur colleagues. I believe this is wonderful.
Have you begun planning your next project? And, if so, do you mind sharing?
My next project showcases military academies where children of African American and Hispanic background join boot camp organizations that copy their structure and rules from the US military. Now living in the USA with a Commander in Chief who has a controversial point of view on immigrants, my next work will highlight the extra mile that immigrants take to become model US citizens. To me they are the true patriots of today.
And to the aspiring photographer, what would you say?
Despite disappointments, never give up. Continue to pursue your goal. Sometimes photography can be a phase that leads to another calling, and sometimes it is the language you are called to speak.
Feedback: [email protected] or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleahsby
New York New York: A Visual Hymn by Richard Koek © 2018
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Lannoo Publishers
ISBN: 13:978-9089896759
Available at Amazon
Ratings: Essential

---

---