Photographer Ruben Natal-San Miguel Is Capturing a Silent New York

Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“I take images of the Bronx and Harlem for [people] who live outside of New York, who only think of Times Square, [to show] there are so many more more people here—suffering. Small vendors who rely on the economy of street traffic.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, East 149th Street & Third Avenue, The Bronx, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“There was a primal fear about them [Natal-San Miguel’s subjects], but at the same time defiance. We New Yorkers are resilient.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, BRONX (Primal Fear), 149 & Third Avenue, The Bronx, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Restaurant, East Harlem, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, BE WELL (Apollo Theater), 125th St. Harlem, Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Subway Platform, Harlem, Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“A lot of people I’ve known have passed away. The Broadway playwright, Terrence McNally, the critic Maurice Berger. This reality is catching up with everybody.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Central Park, (59th Street Entrance), Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Rockefeller Center Park, Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“I don’t get out much, but when I do, I bring my camera. I’m trying to make something out of this historical event.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Times Square Station, 42nd Street Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“It’s almost like a drive by now. Now everybody is so scared. In every photo I feel the fear.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Plaza Hotel Park (Fifth Avenue), Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“I wanted to go into the most populated destinations in Manhattan: in front of the Met, by the Guggenheim, along 5th avenue. It was like standing on the West Side Highway the day after 9/11. Empty.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Times Square Station, 42nd Street Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

“Even though we were at a distance I think they understood what I was doing and they respected that, that we’re in this together. I need to communicate that, especially now. I don’t think people should feel more invaded than they already are.”

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Savage & Ruthless, Times Square Station 42nd Street Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Fifth Avenue (Gucci), Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Rockefeller Center (Reception Office), Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Broadway Theater District, Times Square, Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Central Park Jogger, Central Park West, Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Black Jesus, 125h St. Harlem, Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Times Square, 42nd Street Manhattan, NYC, 2020.
Image Credit: Courtesy Ruben Natal-San Miguel

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Times Square Station, 42nd StreetManhattan, NYC, 2020.