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During a trip to New York City, French photographer Ludwig Favre found himself staying in Chinatown. Inspired by what he saw around him, Favre made it a point to capture the magic of the neighborhood. So, the day of his flight, he woke up early in the morning to grab a coffee and snap shots of the sleepy streets before the sun went up.
Armed with his Lumix G9—Favre is a Panasonic Lumix Ambassador—he was able to use the rain-soaked streets to maximum effect. The neon lights reflected in the wet pavement to create a dazzling effect that forces viewers to let their eyes wander around the scenery. As a result, the photographs are filled with warmth and show a different, unexpected side to New York City.
In fact, if you look quickly, you might mistake the location for China. It’s only when looking beyond the neon lights and Chinese characters on the signs that the mystery unravels—so unexpected is this calm, quiet vision of New York. Through Favre’s lens, New Yorkers take a back seat. Only slight traces of pedestrians and blurred umbrellas disturb each scene.
By letting himself get carried away by the lights and the colors, Favre traveled back to Paris with a unique vision of his stay in Chinatown.
Ludwig Favre’s photos of Chinatown show a different side to the bustling, New York neighborhood before it awakens.
