Eyes Of The City Council

Written by Andrew J. Hawkins on March 5, 2012. Posted in Other Features.

Photographer William Alatriste sees the City Council in a different light

Photographing a politician behind a podium can be about as exciting as watching paint dry. Which is why the City Council’s official photographer, William Alatriste, tries to avoid those shots at all costs.

“Propaganda—I don’t do that,” Alatriste says. Alatriste started out at the City Council writing proclamations in 2002 and shifted to photography four years later. After years of watching the Council at work, he has launched a new project—online at nyccouncil.tumblr.com—to document a day in the life of each of the Council’s 51 members.

That can take him from the City Hall steps to a sidewalk in any neighborhood, where he has a rare ability to fi nd compelling human moments amid the endless hearings and news conferences that make up a politician’s day—catching the instant that makes a scripted event come alive.

“It’s my hope that some of my images reach beyond the often prosaic, one-dimensional ways that politicians are seen,” he said, “and show them in ways that are a bit more unguarded, engaging, and sincere.”

ahawkins@cityandstateny.com

Alatriste photographs last week’s City Council stated meeting. ANDREW SCHWARTZ
Queens Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley calls on the MTA to create green space at an abandoned store.
Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James shelters Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barron under her umbrella during a City Hall rally.
Queens Councilman Leroy Comrie attends the launch of “Healthy Happy Meals” in his district.
Queens Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer attends an urban art exhibit beneath the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.
Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams announces a concert against youth violence in his district.
Brooklyn Councilman Steve Levin tours the Fulton Street Transit Hub
Queens Councilman Ruben Wills speaks at a news conference on religious organizations renting space in public schools.

Tags: Charles Barron, City Council, City Hall, Elizabeth Crowley, Fulton Street Transit Hub, Happy Meals, hearing, Jimmy Van Bramer, Jumaane Williams, Leroy Comrie, Letitia James, MTA, news conference, photographer, photography, Queensboro Bridge, Ruben Wills, steve-levin, William Alatriste

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http://www.bestwayback.com Steven

I Love it. It so good to be able to see the lives and issues shown in a light that provides more of a human view and not just the just the pre-scripted garbage that flows from most media outlets these days!