Backstory on New York Public Reading Room
While New York City has more than its share of outstanding urban landmarks, there are few places that can rival the Rose Reading Room in the Main Branch of the Public Library on 5th Avenue for sheer beauty. Designed by distinguished architects Carrere and Hastings, the Beaux Arts building was the largest marble structure in America when it opened in 1911. It is almost two city blocks long and has 52-foot tall ceilings. With its long tradition of serving the general public, including millions of children, most all New Yorkers have fond memories of studying there. One famous user, the writer Alfred Kazin, said:
“there was something about the light falling through the great tall windows, the sun burning smooth the tops of the gold tables as if they had been freshly painted--that made me restless with the need to grab up every book, press into every single mind right there on the open shelves.”
Over the years my camera and I have been turned away from and thrown out of a lot of places. But NYPL seems as welcoming to photographers (without flash or tripod) as it is to anyone who wants to do research there. I was allowed to wander throughout the public spaces, taking pictures from all angles. Often limited by available light when shooting interior spaces, the light Kazin talks about was magical the day I was there. Ironically, my favorite image featuring colorful book reflections was a random, surprise gift from the photography gods which I didn’t find until I returned home. I had snapped that series of pictures without looking through the lens, while stabilizing my camera on one of the gold tables.
This collage consists of more than 500 assembled and layered pieces from at least 25 individual photographs (selected from among hundreds taken). My special affection for the place, and heartfelt enthusiasm for the important work that goes on there, provided ample motivation for the months that it took to finish this image.