Recently, during a trip to the eclectic and artsy town of Woodstock, NY. I paid a visit to the acclaimed street photographer and film maker Richard Sandler.  From 1977 up to just before September 11th 2001 Richard walked through the streets of New York City documenting the people and personalities of the city.  His story filled photographs can by found in his book, The Eyes of The City published by Powerhouse Books.  Richard has also directed and shot eight non-fiction films, including The Gods of Times Square.

Richards still photographs are in the permanent collections of the New York Public Library, The Brooklyn Museum, The New York Historical Society, and The Houston Museum of Fine Art.  He was awarded the New York Foundation for the Arts fellowship for photography, a John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowship for Filmmaking, and a New York State Council on the Arts fellowship also for Filmmaking.

Richard, was kind enough to invite me to his trendy apartment in Catskill, NY. where we talked at length about photography, listened to his huge assortment of vinyl records and he even entertained with his saxophone.  Richard had met and worked briefly under renowned photographer Gary Winogrand and also once met with Helen Levitt.

His book showcases decades' worth of work capturing a complex time when Richard, using his Leica camera captured a cultural critique of the city.  "It wasn't easy getting those shots, said Richard.  Getting into people's faces.  Sometimes with a flash during the day - unusual at the time, "got me kicked, punched and chased."

Richards book The Eyes of the City can be found on Amazon.  He also has a few YouTube videos including a B & H Workshop he did April 30th, 2019. 

richardsandler.com