Drive-by Shootings (published by Ullmann in 2000) by David Bradford is a striking photobook that captures the raw, fleeting moments of New York City as seen through the eyes of a taxi driver. Bradford, a former art director turned cab driver, used his unique vantage point behind the wheel to document the city's streets, blending motion, light, and chance encounters into a compelling visual narrative.
Shot from the confines of his taxi on the semi-legendary (some say overrated) 35mm Yashica T4 point and shoot camera and high ISO B&W film, Bradford’s images embrace spontaneity, often featuring interesting characters, blurred lights, rain-streaked windshields, and unexpected compositions.
The result is a collection of photographs that feel both intimate and chaotic—perfectly reflecting the energy and unpredictability of New York, through its distinct seasons.
His work straddles the line between documentary and abstract street photography, capturing the city not in stillness but in movement, with each frame conveying a sense of fleeting urgency. You can really see his graphic designer / art director skills shinning through.
Beyond its visual impact, Drive-by Shootings is also a meditation on the act of seeing and the relationship between a driver and the city. As Bradford navigated through endless traffic, his camera became an extension of his experience—snapping moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Personally, being an part-time ex-taxi driver, I relate to this work, and Bradford captures a sort of romanticism that you experience being on the 'front-line' of humanity – bearing witness to a myriad of characters and random happenings.
This 480 page book stands as a testament to the beauty of imperfection, celebrating the unfiltered poetry of everyday life in an urban landscape.
You read more about the photobook on David Bradford's website.