Ben Asen

I’m a true New Yorker, born and raised in the borough of Brooklyn.I discovered photography in my last year at Long Island University when I took a course in photography and darkroom. I was lucky enough to have the photojournalist Jerry Dantzic as my teacher. He taught his students that the camera was only a tool and the real creativity came from within the person taking the photo. A few years after finishing college, I moved to Manhattan where I began to fulfill my dream of becoming a photographer. I slowly built a career and for over 40 years I’ve specialized in corporate, non-profit, editorial, and portrait photography.I’ve traveled to places, such as Italy, France, and Greece. but New York is still the place that gets into my soul. I never get tired of photographing my city.After photographing mostly people my whole life, cityscapes, especially the city’s iconic wooden water towers, has become a favorite subject of mine. I love taking the subway early in the morning to explore and photograph all diverse neighborhoods that New York has to offer. Many times, I don’t return home until the last bit of daylight has disappeared. I love shapes and shadows in my images, but it is the right light that is a major factor in creating my photographs. The photographers Bernice Abbot, Alfred Stieglitz, Charles Sheeler and the painter Edward Hopper have always been a great influence on my photography style. It is a great honor now to be a member of a wonderful community of artist members at the Edward Hopper House in Nyack, New York.

A camera is only a tool. It's my eyes and mind that create art that maybe besides me, someone else will like.

Soho Photo Gallery/ Member from 1973 to 1975

Soho Photo Gallery/ Group Exhibition with Fred McDarrah on New York City 1974

Brooklyn Public Library Grand Army Plaza/Group Exhibit on Brooklyn Street Photography 1975

Wave Hill Garden and Cultural Center, Riverdale, N.Y. /Exhibit on Senior Life, 1981

Museum of The City of New York/Two images of the Brooklyn Bride in Group exhibit 1984

New York Public Library Main Branch, Two images included in "Urban Neighbors" Exhibit 2003

Edward Hopper House, Nyack N.Y.  Group Memeber Exhibit

Spectrum Gallery, Centerbrook, Connecticut.  Two images included in Life In The City, 1/24 - 3/24

My work is in numerous private collections, as well as several hotels.

NY

United States