FAQ NYC Episode 455: The Kismet and the Anxiety of Street Photography
Nov 5, 2025
Ben Frachtenberg, a visual editor and photographer for The City, joins hosts Harry Siegel and Amy Sohn to discuss the art of street photography. He shares insights from his solo exhibition, In Tension, showcasing the contrast between the isolation of COVID-era streets and vibrant public moments. Ben dives into the ethical dilemmas photographers face, the importance of capturing candid moments, and how he manages anxiety while doing his work. He also critiques pop culture portrayals of photojournalism, emphasizing the need for authenticity in storytelling.
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Street Scenes Born From COVID Isolation
- Ben curated street photos from COVID-era and beyond to show how New Yorkers reconnected after isolation.
- He framed the exhibit to document everyday city magic that feels cinematic but is purely organic.
Kismet Moment With Meditating Cabbie
- Ben described a serendipitous shot of a meditating cabbie lit perfectly as an ad bus passed behind him.
- He emphasized the kismet of New York yielding images that look staged but are entirely accidental.
Weigh Ethics, Employer Rules, And Law
- Balance three constraints when shooting: your personal ethics, your newsroom's standards, and the law.
- Use that balance to decide when to seek permission or when public-interest documentation overrides consent.