Photoville made its annual appearance at Brooklyn Bridge Park and across all five boroughs of New York City from June 1-16. Now it’s packed up until next year.  Photoville is a gathering where photographers and journalists from across the country converge to share their stories and images, aiming to inspire young individuals interested in the field of photography. 

During the event, we had the opportunity to meet Rosem Morton, a documentary photographer, registered nurse, writer, and educator based in Baltimore, Maryland. She had recently spent a week in Taiwan capturing images and gathering information about the lives of the citizens. She highlighted the struggles faced by the Taiwanese due to Chinese interference with the fishermen’s livelihoods, likening it to modern-day imperialism. She also shed light on the living conditions of lower-income families in Taiwan, where access to resources such as the internet and electricity is limited. 

Additionally, we came across a photographer named Eugene Richards, another documentary photographer. He was also a civil rights activist during the 1960’s. Eugene’s work is impressively documented in various scenes in black and white, effectively conveying powerful emotions. He shared images from his interviews and photo shoots in southern and lower-income neighborhoods, including a striking photo of two kids playing basketball, one of them holding a gun. While it’s difficult to articulate, I found this photo compelling due to its portrayal of two contrasting aspects of life. 

There were other intriguing photos on display, although we did not get to meet the photographers behind them. 

Furthermore, at Photoville, young photographers were sharing their experiences and journeys into photography. Many of them mentioned their participation in NeON Photographers, an internship program that offers professional photography training and technical skills, as well as guides participants in the art of visual storytelling. This program serves as a paid opportunity that prepares individuals to pursue careers as professional photographers. If anyone is interested, here is the link:  https://www.nyc.gov/site/neon/programs/neon-photography.page