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Jan. 19th: Week in Photography
📸Your lens to the internet's most powerful photographs 📸 MOST POWERFUL PHOTO OF THE WEEK Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty Images Pen meets paper in this monumental and devastating moment in American history. Here, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi signs the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Jan. 15, in Washington, DC.
The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, opening the way for the historic trial of the 45th president for abuse of power.
📸FOR YOUR 👀 ONLY: Riley Arthur's Diners of New York City In the sprawling metropolis of New York City, photographer Riley Arthur has set out to do the impossible: to document every diner the Big Apple has to offer. For nearly half a decade now, Arthur has traversed every borough and every block of the city to capture the pancake-flipping, pastrami-slicing, and bagel-toasting culture that makes New York diners world-famous. Here, Arthur discusses with BuzzFeed News this incredible endeavor and shares some of her diner favorites.
How did Diners of New York City come to be and what was some of the inspiration behind the work?
I started the project four years ago never thinking it would be a long-term project of more than a year. I became fascinated by the enduring appeal of diners in spite of the fact that they are disappearing at an alarming rate in New York City. Joe Juniors Restaurant, Manhattan. 2018. The project started with the goal to document the oldest and most aesthetically unique diners in the city. I began after the closing of two prominent and much-loved diners in Manhattan — steep rent hikes are the most common reason for these closures. At the time, no other photographer was actively documenting NYC diners, so I widened the scale of the project to include all New York City diners and am very close to having photographed every diner in the city, as well as over 50 that are now closed.
Is there a commonality you've noticed in visiting so many diners? The people? The food? The ambiance?
Yes, all diners have a commonality — that’s the appeal. The décor, the American cuisine, breakfast served all day, hardy, affordable meals in large portions, and counter seating are all characteristics of a diner. The lingering appeal is the sameness. It’s comforting; it’s nostalgic; it’s kitsch. People continue to patronize diners for the experience, not the food, and that’s what makes them unique from other restaurants.
Do you have a favorite diner you've photographed?
That’s a different question than “What’s my favorite diner?” and the answer is different. I took one of my best photographs of the series to date at Joe Junior Restaurant in Gramercy, Manhattan. The photo won two national awards last year, so I have to rank it at the top. It would be hard to take a bad photograph at Joe Junior.
Neptune Diner, Astoria. June. 2019. Neptune Diner in Astoria was my neighborhood diner when I started the project. I thought of the project for a while before I started, and every time I walked past the diner on my daily commute, I felt the need to photograph it. So I closely associate the project with this diner.
I took a photo that shows three staff members reflected off the granite counter. They wear the traditional diner uniform complete with a vest and bow tie. Patrons are happily eating in booths and the natural light is showing the time of day to be midafternoon. The horizontal lines lead the viewer to the waiter texting on the job which is now ubiquitous. It’s the kind of image that, upon looking at it, even if you haven’t been to this diner, you feel you have.
Why do you think it's important for you to make this work and what do you hope people will take away from these images?
Diners play an important role in American culinary history. Since they are disappearing all over the country, and at a faster rate in NYC, I’m creating both a current and historical archive. This is the first of its kind in New York City. I hope my photos revive interest in diners and drive traffic to these small businesses.
What's your go-to order from a diner?
Matzo ball soup, always.
Issac's Coffeeshop, Brooklyn. 2018.
📸THIS WEEK'S PHOTO STORIES 📸 On the heels of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to "step back" as senior members of the royal family, we've put together an emotional look at how the media covered the life of Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. These photos outline what is perhaps the central reason for this unprecedented decision from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Next, we shift gears to Samuel Engelking's stunning portraits that celebrate body positivity in all of its sizes, shapes, colors, and forms. Wrapping things up is a haunting gallery from the Philippines where ash from the Taal volcano has smothered all color on this once-vibrant tropical paradise.
Also, here are more photo essays published by our friends elsewhere. A CAUTIONARY TALE: PRINCESS DIANA AND THE MEDIA Getty Images "My deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person." —Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex SEE THE FULL STORY
FLAUNT IT WITH CONFIDENCE: STUNNING PORTRAITS OF BODY POSITIVITY Samuel Engelking Warning: nudity ahead in this very wholesome and affirming ode to loving the skin we're in. SEE THE FULL STORY
FIRE AND ASH: PICTURES FROM THE TAAL VOLCANO Aaron Favila / AP Officials have warned of an “imminent hazardous eruption” in the Philippines as the Taal volcano blankets its surroundings in a thick layer of gray ash. SEE THE FULL STORY
📸YOUR WEEKLY PALATE CLEANSER📸 Kim Kyung-Hoon / Reuters For many Americans, Dry January is a yearly tradition for new beginnings and better health. At the Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo, a wetter and much colder approach is preferred. In this picture, a man holds an ice brick after praying in freezing water during a traditional ceremony to purify his soul and wish for good health in the new year. Brrrrrr!
"That's it from us this time — see you next week!" —Gabriel and Kate “Photography is an itch that won’t go away. No matter how much you scratch it.” —Dara McGrathWant More? Go To JPG Homepage
đź“ť This letter was edited and brought to you by the News Photo team. Gabriel Sanchez is the photo essay editor based in New York and loves cats. Kate Bubacz is the photo director based in New York and loves dogs. You can always reach us here.
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