New York of the 80s, suspiciously reminiscent of life in the USSR

California photographer Janet Delaney made a series of stunning images that convey the special spirit of New York. All the photos were taken in the 80s with a two-lens reflex camera. A special feature of such cameras is that the shutter is almost silent and very fast compared to single-lens cameras and the viewfinder is located on top. When shooting, the photographer can hold the camera at chest level, attracting less attention, which means that the heroes of the pictures had almost no chance to notice that they were in the frame. 

When you first look at these photos, you don't even immediately realize that New York is in the pictures. Some of the shots are imbued with some truly Soviet spirit. And although we understand that the lifestyle of a Russian person of the 80s was radically different from the life of an American, several photos seem to be from home. 

"In the 80s, I visited New York many times. Born on quiet streets in the suburbs of Los Angeles, I always expected some unexpected and absolutely unsystematic meetings that only Manhattan could give, " the photographer says in the description of the series.

Two-dollar contribution, 1985

The Third World War, 1986

A woman and a tree, 1987

A woman walking down the street, 1986

Wall Street, 1984

Waiting for a phone call, 1985

View of the Twin Towers, 1985

Gemini and the truck, 1987

Garbage on the East River, 1986

Sunbathing on the East River, 1985

South Street, 1984

South Street, 1984

A man sleeping on a car, 1985

Policeman, 1986

Video Games, 1985

Artist, 1984

Kiosk in the metro, 1985

Mother and Daughter, 1985

Manhattan, 1987

South Street, 1985

Coffee and sandwich, 1985

Jackets for sale, 1984

Event at the City Hall, 1985

Brooklyn Bridge, 1986

Broadway, 1984

An American on a Staten Island ferry, 1985

6 am, Staten Island ferry, 1985