In 2010, I ventured into the vibrant heart of New York City armed with my new 35mm Canon camera. The city’s dynamic energy and iconic architecture immediately resonated with me. I took to the city’s bustling streets, where the bold lines and captivating shadows cast by towering skyscrapers drew me into the very geometry of the city’s design.

 

Amidst the ceaseless bustle of the city, I stumbled upon an unexpected tranquility as I wandered through its labyrinthine paths. Within the quiet confines of the darkroom, where photographs transformed from latent images to tangible prints, I uncovered a serene ritual.

 

From a simple school assignment, this project  became a way to discover the city in which I would live for the next 5 years and ultimately evolve into a profound path of self-discovery. My camera ceased to be just a tool—it transformed into an extension of my voice within the urban tapestry. 

 

This project grew beyond a means to explore the world of analog photography; it became a journey allowing me to probe into my identity as a student, an artist, and a young woman in a foreign land. As my camera captured the city’s heartbeat, it also reflected my own growth and transformation against its breathtaking backdrop.