It was my first time walking the streets of Harlem with my camera. I stayed in a small apartment on 136th street, at the corner with Malcom X blvd, also known as Lenox Avenue. I walked along the boulevard for an hour or two each morning over a period of 3 days. The time was short but I headed out each day with my camera set to classic chrome and limited myself to one street only. Harlem is changing rapidly but it still has a gritty feel which is very different from the other boroughs of Manhattan. I’m not shy and I have some streets smarts. I can sense when I need to move on if I feel that people are starting to question my intentions. I always make small talk with locals, anywhere in the world. People in Harlem are extremely friendly and always welcome a conversation and smile.

It takes…