New York City is experiencing a vibrant summer, a period marked by significant cultural events and sporting triumphs. The city’s own Knicks have clinched the NBA championship for the first time in over fifty years, while the FIFA World Cup has drawn thousands of international football enthusiasts. Adding to the excitement, the US Open tennis tournament is on the horizon. Even pop icon Madonna has returned to the dance floor. The metropolis buzzes with outdoor concerts, massive screens broadcasting thrilling matches, and a palpable sense of community, as evidenced by the diverse expressions of urban life. Amidst this effervescent atmosphere, photographer Ryan McGinley presents "Night Shift," an exhibition of new works at Jeffrey Deitch gallery in SoHo, marking a return to his seminal, transgressive artistic style. A Nocturnal Exploration of New York After two decades spent traversing the American landscape, McGinley turns his lens inward, focusing on his native New York City. "Night Shift" features approximately 40 images capturing a seldom-seen side of the metropolis after dusk. Nude figures are integrated into the urban fabric, appearing like spectral entities against the backdrop of a sleeping city. McGinley’s signature use of a long lens and slow shutter speed imbues the night with a unique luminosity, allowing bodies to emerge in unexpected locales. The photographs depict deserted streets stretching into the inky sky, industrial structures that dwarf human subjects, and candid moments of exploration as figures ascend sanitation trucks or traverse dimly lit tunnels. The visual narrative is one of raw urbanity, where dilapidated vehicles, misty manholes, and weathered street elements strip away the city’s usual glamour, revealing a more primal and intimate character. The photographic sessions for "Night Shift" took place between the spring of 2025 and the winter of the following year. The creative process began each evening at 9 PM, as the city’s typical inhabitants began to retreat, and concluded at 5 AM, just as early commuters and joggers started to dot the otherwise empty streets. This nocturnal schedule allowed McGinley and his subjects to experience a profound sense of freedom and seclusion, transforming familiar urban spaces into stages for artistic expression. The Artist’s Vision and Creative Process In an interview with Dazed, McGinley discussed the unique challenges and rewards of working under the cover of night. "Working at night is always trickier, especially in a city like New York," he stated. "But 9 PM to 5 AM was an amazing window. Nobody was out, so we had the streets to ourselves, which made us feel like anything was possible." This sense of unfettered possibility permeated the shoots, allowing for an experimental approach to both subject matter and execution. McGinley elaborated on his photographic techniques, explaining, "I tried to create a different aesthetic of photography, including a slow shutter and a radio flash, which meant there was flash hitting onto the subject. Meanwhile, I was on a very long lens, so sometimes I’d be one or two blocks away from the model." This intentional distance allowed for a voyeuristic yet intimate perspective, capturing subjects in their uninhibited exploration of the urban environment. Communication with his models, often facilitated by walkie-talkies, was crucial for guiding their energy and the experimental nature of their poses. "I wanted to really ramp it up or, at other times, really slow things down for a moody feeling," McGinley explained. The individuals featured in "Night Shift" are not professional models but rather artists, friends, and members of McGinley’s creative community. This intrinsic connection fostered a collaborative spirit, allowing their personalities and artistic sensibilities to shine through. McGinley also expressed a deep interest in highlighting the city’s architectural elements, from iconic bridges to utilitarian structures like sanitation trucks and industrial remnants. While landmarks such as the Freedom Tower and Empire State Building appear, they are often relegated to the background, emphasizing the raw beauty of overlooked urban landscapes. McGinley specifically cited Calvary Cemetery in Queens and the Long Island City train yard as locations that resonated with him, evoking a sense of post-apocalyptic serenity. Echoes of Americana and Urban Transformation The images in "Night Shift" often present a New York that is surprisingly unrecognisable, echoing a broader sense of Americana with scenes reminiscent of motels or gas stations. This deliberate departure from the stereotypical imagery of New York suggests McGinley’s intent to capture the city in ways that transcend its familiar urban iconography. He drew inspiration from photographers like Bernice Abbott, who documented New York during its architectural evolution, and Garry Winogrand, known for his street photography. "I just wondered what is important to me right now. What are the elements in New York that I love?" McGinley reflected. He cited the natural phenomena of smoking manholes as a recurring motif, drawing a parallel to the theatrical use of smoke machines in his editorial work, and the evocative imagery of fire hydrants spraying water during summer. His aim was to imbue these everyday occurrences with an "otherworldly feel." Personal Narratives and Artistic Lineage Growing up in New Jersey, McGinley developed a deep fascination with New York City, particularly the Hudson River waterfront. This area holds particular significance for him as a queer artist, evoking the works of photographers like Alvin Baltrop and David Wojnarowicz, who documented the city’s industrial decay and its burgeoning queer communities. One striking photograph in "Night Shift" features a nude queer man positioned by the water on a piece of steel, a subtle nod to this lineage. The Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges, vibrant with nightly illumination, also serve as backdrops, their dynamic presence contributing to the overall atmosphere without becoming the sole focus. McGinley also acknowledged the Bushwick Hotel as a significant location, having served as a temporary residence for many artists, including his friends. The organic and seemingly effortless movements of the models in McGinley’s photographs are a testament to his directorial approach. "I work with a lot of movement directors on my shoots. Here, I had to bring out my inner choreographer and guide people through what I was thinking," he explained. The models, being artists themselves, brought a natural spontaneity to their poses, whether perched on a crashed car or a dumpster. McGinley’s approach emphasized experimentation and spontaneity, often involving spontaneous bike rides through the city to discover new vistas. The Nocturnal Rhythm and Artistic Roots The decision to work exclusively at night, from 9 PM to 5 AM, presented a significant shift from McGinley’s typical schedule. "Flipping the nine-to-five was difficult, but it brought me back to my roots of being a young photographer, skateboarding and creating graffiti," he admitted. These early nocturnal pursuits, often conducted on rooftops or in subway tunnels, resonate with the spirit of "Night Shift." The decision to shoot on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays was strategic, capitalizing on the quieter nights to minimize disruption and maximize creative freedom. This commitment required a significant adjustment to his circadian rhythm, a challenge he embraced. Commissioned Work vs. Fine Art McGinley’s extensive experience shooting editorials for high-profile clients has honed his ability to extract compelling imagery from any subject. He maintains that the spirit of experimentation and artistic intent remains consistent across his commissioned projects and his personal fine art endeavors. "I try to bring the same spirit to everything with the same intentions and an experimental nature," he stated. "If I’m working with a big actor or musician, I try not to be afraid to ask them to do something that can create an exciting photograph." He emphasizes the importance of quieting external pressures and focusing on the fundamental connection between himself and the subject, regardless of the scale of the production. The Future of Art in a Changing New York The escalating cost of living in New York City poses a significant challenge for emerging artists, potentially impacting the city’s experimental soul. McGinley, a seasoned artist, advocates for a sense of community and mutual support within the art world. "The reason New York City is cool and beautiful is because of its creative people. The wealth gap is really creating a problem," he observed. He stresses the importance of mentorship and knowledge-sharing, particularly regarding practical matters like affordable housing and navigating the city’s economic landscape. McGinley reminisced about his early days, sharing a three-room apartment with seven other artists in the East Village, a setup that fostered constant creative exchange and provided ample opportunities for photography. This shared living arrangement proved to be a silver lining, facilitating his early photographic work. "Night Shift" by Ryan McGinley is on exhibition at Jeffrey Deitch in New York until August 8, 2026. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on New York City, inviting viewers to explore its nocturnal landscapes and the human forms that inhabit them, through the eyes of an artist deeply connected to the city’s evolving narrative. Post navigation Can you own a beauty technique?
