This Beloved Brooklyn Photographer is Losing His Sight … But Gaining Greater Vision

Bed-Stuy resident and photographer Russell Frederick has been capturing timeless moments across Brooklyn for the past 25 years. His work has been featured everywhere, from NPR, to The Washington Post, to Ebony Magazine.

BK Reader first profiled Frederick, eight years ago, while he was working on “A Love Letter To BedStuy,” a photo documentary championing the resilience of the residents of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. At the time, he had already collected more than 10,000 photos.

Russell Frederick handles his art with care;
Photo: Natasha Knows, BK Reader

BK Reader most recently caught up with the photo warrior in his studio to learn about the latest major changes in his career and life, including a nomination for the highly esteemed W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography, a life-changing health diagnosis, and a new lens on his work.

This Beloved Brooklyn Photographer is Losing His Sight … But Gaining Greater Vision