New York (2024) is a well-composed photograph in that it is clear that Guanhua Yao has paid attention to the light, framing and colour grading. The colour composition of the work is earthy, with warm orange-browns that come out of the historic brownstone buildings. In contrast, the much more modern skyscrapers contrast these brownstones with their cool blues and greys. The area in which this photograph was taken consists of the two periods of architecture from New York’s history while also showcasing the contrasts of the two eras through warm and cool colours.
The photograph has a very cinematic feel. The solitary figure in the centre of the composition captures the viewer’s eye as it juxtaposes the supposed busyness of New York. The smallness of the figure compared to the buildings around them also alludes to a meditative emotion. The viewer can picture themselves in the photograph, especially as it seems that the picture may have been taken at a much earlier part of the day.
Yao’s statement mentions the “extraordinary within the mundane”, which is captured through the photograph when taking the solitary figure in a supposedly busy city in context. The photograph thus feels as though it has frozen the city, withholding human interaction, allowing the viewer of the work to slow down when reflecting on usually fast-paced city life.
Overall, the photograph captures the great contrast between the old and the new in the context of its architecture while also capturing a scene in which what is usually a busy city has been reduced to a meditative scene in which there is only one figure left. This helps to turn it from a bustling city to a contemplative area in which one slows down.