I take photos of the ordinary things in life.

“At bottom,” Martin Heidegger said, “the ordinary is not ordinary; it is extraordinary.”

I love shooting in urban environments.

i believe that the the study of people is the most important thing.

With regards to Street Photograhy I quote the Master.

"In photography, you've got to be quick, quick, quick, quick...Like an animal and a prey."
Henri Cartier Bresson

"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy."
Henri Cartier Bresson

I studied with Lisette Model and Ken Heyman, two great photographers but my real school was "The Metropolitan Museum of Art", "The Met" in NYC where i spent many a day,

I use Canon equipment including the FANTASTIC 17-55 mm image stabilized f2.8 lens, though i do own a working Nikon F.
I was using Picasa for editing but I now have an iMac and am using iPhoto but still havent got around to Photoshop.

Cameras i have owned and used:

Kodak Baby Brownie
Agfa Sillette
Kodak Retina Reflex S
Nikon F Photomic
Nikon F (2)
Canon T90
Canon A1 (2)
Olmpus Stylus
Canon 350XT
Canon A640
Canon 40D

artcphoto's favorite photos from other Flickr members (845)

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Testimonials (12)

  • view profile

    Omeudentista® says:

    "Art is one of those rare photographers, with a subtle touch that leaves its mark on the pieces of art that creates. The window that is opens when he publishes one of his photos, transport us to a world where emotions and environments come together and come to life, allowing us to enjoy the simple beauty that the streets and its residents have, specially in a huge canvas as NYC. Thanks by your lessons!!"

    13th October, 2008

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    Max-Zip2 says:

    "Art is the undefeated master of NYC street photography."

    17th August, 2008

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    Rui Palha says:

    "You are an example to follow as a street photographer. You are everywhere and you don't loose anything, ordinary or not.
    I feel that I know the NY street People through your eyes and that's an excellent signal and a permanent lesson in this difficult theme.
    Your portfolio is consistently "street"...real life, real People.
    Congrats "Street Photographer" Art. I am happy to met you here, in Flickr."

    26th July, 2008

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    daystar297 says:

    "I'm not easily impressed . . .and I don't often write testimonials . . . but I must just make mention how wonderful Art's work is . . . He always catches those folks you love to watch . . . and those moments that pass by so quickly . . . . What a great eye that's able to create his wonderful and always interesting images . . ."

    22nd July, 2008

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    moriza says:

    "Art, the true NYC street photographer. Through his sharp eyes and sensible shutter, we see NYC that we lived in or NYC we have never been. Oh, and Art cast a wide net, he is everywhere!"

    1st July, 2008

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    weissfoto says:

    "Artcphoto is a champ! Always there with the supportive high-five comment. I know when I've posted a good picture when Art arrives!
    His work is courageous and simply perfect. I feel his work as I view it.
    I am on the street with him experiencing that moment .
    BUT! What really is great about him is the people on flickr that are drawn to him, He is responsible for my having so many great contacts here.
    We are brought together by Artcphoto.. He is our common thread.
    I am proud to be his friend."

    8th May, 2008

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    zona di fotographia says:

    "Art is one of those rare people, and a real New Yorker…!
    It’s not just the photographs; Art gives each one a special meaning
    and description, for an ex-New Yorker like me it makes me think of a different time and place, for one who has never been, I am sure Art’s photos make New York ‘that place I must visit’ I have no idea what Art’s vocation is, what I do know is he should head of the New York Tourism board."

    26th April, 2008

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    ifotog, Queen of Manhattan Street Photography says:

    "Art is the quintessential street photographer. A master at capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary. The human element exhibited in these photographs is no accident. Art has an eye for seeing beyond the surface. From what I know of him through this cyber world called Flickr, he's also a great person. The Flickr community is a better place for him being there. Art = Art."

    25th March, 2008

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    lempkin says:

    "Much like a talented author who creates extraordinary stories from ordinary lives, Art uses candid photos to lift the curtain on seemingly routine situations, often revealing the unguarded spirit hidden just beneath the superficial smile, the ambiguous frown, or the enigmatic blank stare. His best shots, in my opinion, expose a piece of human personality that can only be captured in uncontrived situations. Always an inspiration, Art takes the kind of photos that I wish I had the courage, or more to the point, the "skill," to take. Yet another one of the many Flickr talents who deserves to be a permanent resident on the Explore list. Keep up the great work!"

    21st December, 2007

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    ......Tim Connolly...... says:

    "Unlike Rob Hoey I have never met you Art but in the short time that I have been using Flickr as a novice photographer you always take the time to make a comment on my images and for this I thank you. You are the photographer and artist that I aspire to be like. You have shown me so much and hopefully some of it has sunk in! Although we have never met, one day God willing I will find my way to New York and would relish the idea of sitting down with you for a coffee and chat and also of course to watch you in action. Until then, thank you."

    10th September, 2007

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    Rob Hoey says:

    "I had the pleasure of meeting Art this summer in Greenwich Village. We sat in a sidewalk cafe where he spoke about his photography and some good books he recommended about life. Art is a gentle soul and has a sharp intelligence clothed in humility. While we sat there drinking our espresso, he took a photo of a woman sitting at the table behind ours. The shot was perfect and I marvelled at how easily he captured a certain expression that was fleeting and almost imperceptable. He sees things that many others do not see. He is a true photographer among other things artistic."

    15th July, 2007

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    ianpwatkinson says:

    "artcphoto takes the time to show us the reality of what his eye sees - the framing of his images seems to be completely natural and intuitive, and always includes the right lines , the right divisions, the right cross-connects and spaces worked with either colour or black and white - a real photographers eye for the format and content of the image, not an easy thing to do when shooting real time in real life scenarios. He knows the 'Decisive moment' of Cartier-Bresson instinctively.

    Hes shown us a whole community of people in cafes, bars, shops, on the street or in portraits in a way which seems to render the camera an invisible device in the process, I can almost feel the 'buzz' coming from the scenes he shoots they have so much life and vibrancy.

    A very fine consistent image maker who is always ready to share his own work, comment and appreciate others and maintain those connections."

    7th June, 2007

Joined:
September 2006
I am:
Male
Email:
cumingsart [at] aol.com