Man Texting at Night on the East River Ferry - East River, New York City
Street photograph of an orthodox man writing a text on the deck of the East River Ferry as it crossing to Queens. Sitting behind him, in contrast to his deep intensity, are tourists enjoying the pleasure of the boat ride. The conflict between the process of assimilation and a desire to remain separate is evidenced by the man’s physical and mindful self-selected isolation, while immersed in the technology of the larger culture. Background lights from the skyline form a correspondence with the light from the phone, further emphasizing the man’s connection to the embracing community of which he is a part.