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Photographer captures the wild and dangerous streets of New York City in the 1970s

New York City in the 1970s was a wild and dangerous place. After peaking in population in 1950, the city began to feel the effects of large-scale migration to the suburbs.

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Via direct submission. All images by and courtesy of Leland Bobbé

Via direct submission. All images by and courtesy of Leland Bobbé

Not to mention the downturn in industry and commerce as businesses left for cheaper places, an increase in crime and social disorder, and an upturn in its welfare burden – all of which led to a fiscal crisis that pushed the city on the verge of complete collapse.

Photographer Leland Bobbé, a native New Yorker, was there to witness and document the decade, wandering the Big Apple's streets to capture the local characters, along everywhere from Chinatown and Beekman Street to Sixth Avenue and Broadway.

Speaking of his vintage series, he said he sometimes misses the grit, the danger and the edge: "The city was on the verge of going bankrupt, there was a major blackout, the Son of Sam murders, and the South Bronx looked like a war zone. Before gentrification, neighbourhoods had distinct personalities. Times Square with its prostitutes and peep shows was not a playground for Middle America as it is today and down on the Lower East Side there wasn’t a Gap, a Starbucks or a condo to be found; it had CBGB’s and alcoholics on the street – The Bowery is the end of the line for many."

Some of his shots were taken shooting from the hip with a 28mm lens, to avoid detection. Others were taken with a zoom telephoto lens. Leland added: "With this group of photographs my intention was to capture the grit and personality of a unique period in New York City history. Long live The Ramones!"

Now, Leland's classic street photographs have been accepted into the permanent collection at the Museum of The City of New York where you'll be able to see his work on display. Discover more about Leland at lelandbobbe.com.

A man lies sleeping on the pavement outside a storefront in 1970s New York City, captured by photographer Leland Bobbé
Five men in suits and coats stand outside a brick building with metal security gates in this black and white street photograph from 1970s New York City
A man sits against metal gates and shutters on a street in 1970s New York City, with vintage shop signage visible above
Four shirtless men sit and crouch outside a brick building in a candid black and white street photograph from 1970s New York City
Two women window-shopping outside a storefront on a New York City street in the 1970s, captured in black and white by photographer Leland Bobbé
Black and white photograph of anti-abortion protesters holding signs on a New York City street in the 1970s, including one man wearing a striped jacket and hat.
A street in 1970s New York piled high with cardboard boxes and rubbish outside a building entrance, with a figure standing amid the debris
A man in dark clothing sits against a weathered brick wall beside a person lying on the pavement in 1970s New York City
Man leaning out of a window above a fire escape on a brick building in 1970s New York City
A group of young boys in 1970s attire playfully pile onto a man against a weathered metal gate on a New York City street
Passengers sit inside a New York City subway car in the 1970s, with graffiti visible on the walls and doors.
Black and white photograph of passengers inside a 1970s New York City subway car, including a man holding a large duffel bag and a woman with an accordion
Passengers crowd inside a New York City subway car in the 1970s, captured by photographer Leland Bobbé
Two women stand in a doorway on a 1970s New York City street as a man walks past in this black and white photograph by Leland Bobbé
Women stand on a New York City street in the 1970s, with pedestrians and storefronts visible in the background
Man with afro standing outside House of Paradise nightclub on a 1970s New York City street
Black and white photograph of pedestrians on a New York City street in the 1970s, showing figures in period clothing and fashion standing on a sidewalk
Woman in a fur coat stands outside a storefront with neon signs on a New York City street in the 1970s
Pedestrians in suits and casual wear walk past shop signs advertising hotels and services on a busy 1970s New York City street lined with tall buildings
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