Spanning 45 years of Jamel Shabazz's photography in Prospect Park, this gorgeous and meditative volume captures the heart and soul of Brooklyn though one of its most cherished spaces.
Known for his iconic NYC street photography documenting the city’s African American community, Jamel Shabazz first gained widespread acclaim with his books Back in the Days and A Time Before Crack, renowned for their vivid portrayal of 1980s style and culture. However, long before his fame as a photographer, Shabazz served in the military and as a corrections officer for twenty years. After long days at work, he often sought refuge in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, describing it as a place to find inner peace—and, since 1980, he has continued capturing its vibrant spirit. This collection features his signature portraits of locals, from Afro-Caribbean percussionists at Drummer’s Grove to multicultural families enjoying moments of quiet reflection. Complementing these human-centered images are lesser-seen landscapes revealing the serene beauty of the park. Together, these photographs underscore its dual role as a bustling cultural hub and a tranquil refuge. Perfect for anyone who cherishes Brooklyn’s cultural history, this volume reveals a new and deeply personal side of Shabazzʼs work, offering a compelling portrait of community, resilience, and connection within an urban sanctuary.
Biography
Jamel Shabazz
Jamel Shabazz is best known for his iconic images of New York City during the 1980s and 1990s. A documentary, fashion, and street photographer, he has also authored numerous books, including the monographs Back in the Days and A Time Before Crack. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide, and his work is housed within the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City; the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC; the Art Institute of Chicago; the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles; and the Dean Collection, among others.
Over the years, Shabazz has taught documentary photography to young students at the Studio Museum in Harlem’s Expanding the Walls project, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s Teen Curators program, and the Bronx Museum’s Teen Council. He was the 2022 awardee of the Gordon Parks Foundation/Steidl Book Prize, and the 2023 recipient of the Lucie Foundation Award for his achievement in documentary photography. His goal as an artist is to contribute to the preservation of world history and culture.
Laylah Amatullah Barrayn
Laylah Amatullah Barrayn is a documentary photographer, curator, and educator, and a frequent contributor to the New York Times.
Richard E. Green
Richard E. Green is a highly-decorated Vietnam veteran, activist, and founder of the nonprofit Crown Heights Youth Collective.
Noelle Flores Théard
Noelle Flores Théard is a senior photo editor at the New Yorker. Previously, she was program officer at Magnum Foundations.
