DOC NYC – “Uncropped” (Seth Shire)

“Uncropped” which had its DOC NYC 2023 is a visually stunning, roller coaster ride of a documentary taking the viewer through the world of photographer James Hamilton. Street photographer, war photographer, photographer of pop culture icons, portraitist – Hamilton’s pictures form a cultural diary of New York City from the 1960s to the 2000s.

“Something in my brain tells me when to shoot,” Hamilton explains about his photography. Having no preference for shooting in black and white or color he explains that if he is shooting using color film, he sees everything in color. If he is shooting with black and white film, he sees everything in black and white. The iconic black and white photographs he took of BB King, Janis Joplin and others, after talking his way into a music festival in Texas in 1969, are almost luminescent.