16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Us and Them

"Us and Them" captures a young woman centered in the picture frame with a cityscape in the background. She appears to be standing on a balcony of a building surrounded by skyscrapers. She is bold in her stands and her facial expression. Her wavy hair is long and covers her body down to her hips, as if she was wearing an armor to protect her against life in this city. Her outfit is simple and uneventful, unlike her life in this city. New York City surrounds her with tall buildings and cold people. It is her against NYC. She manages to survive on the outside, but no one gets to see her inside struggles. The young woman is my daughter Sarah, who often serves as my model. The title "Us and Them" refers to me and her against this big city.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2018
Date Uploaded: 10.2018
Photo Location: New York City, New York, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Copyright: © Petra Bernstein