Reading on subway platforms, Prince Street (2014);Â Bus driver, Tribeca (2013);Â Man with stroller, 12th St.(2012) -Â Lawrence Schwartzwald
In the early 1970s, Schwartzwald picked up a copy of Andre Kerteszâs On Reading and felt inspired looking at the black-and-white candid images of people reading around the world and wanted to do something similar. But it wouldnât be until many years later that Schwartzwald would pick up a cameraâaround age 40âand decide to snap a few pictures at some of the literary events he was attending.
When he wasnât photographing, Schwartzwald was usually reading, something he said he enjoys more than just about anything. Although it wasnât necessarily a conscious decision, his eye for a great picture combined with his love of books and influence from On Reading began to come together and he started a prolific series of people reading.
âThe images have to come out and find you as much as you find them,â he added. âYou canât just come out and create it.â
âYou just get a visceral reaction, like writing a great story or reading one for that matter, thereâs an emotional, psychological component to it that you sense and occasionally youâre able to capture it because sometimes you may have literally one frame to get it off and you either get it or you donât.â












