Black and white illustration of a lighthouse, a sailboat, and a seagull.

This is a collection of 35mm film frames meant to show the silence of a photograph—“Magna Silenta” (Latin, meaning “the great silence”). The subjects of these photos are everyday people, going about their lives. Sonder is an important word to me in the context of this series, and I try to convey that feeling in them. Taken on black-and-white film and developed at home, the photographs focus on composition, the decisive moment, and contrast.

A couple by the pier
A lakeside scene in black and white includes a canoe resting on the grassy shore in the foreground, with two trees framing the view. In the water, two people are standing, one holding a fishing rod. A wooded hill is in the background, and a fallen tr
A dip in the ocean at sunset
Filling up the pool
A rainy day in Saratoga Springs
A person standing at a crosswalk on a city street, facing away from the camera, with their hand on their hip. There are trees, a sign, some cars, and a traffic light in the background.
A man and a young child riding bicycles near a waterfront with a lighthouse in the background.
People standing on a wooden deck behind a fence, looking outward. A boat with the sign 'SEASIDE HEIGHTS' is in front of the deck.
Two people sitting on the edge of a waterfront promenade, facing the water. A bridge extends across the water in the background, with a hill on the far side.
Winter's embrace
An almost empty street
A woman sitting on a wooden bench on a boardwalk with two children, one standing beside her and the other sitting on her lap, against a background of a railing and open landscape.
At high noon
Anticipation of the solar eclipse
Guarding an empty pool
A man in a cart in Woodstock
Alone in the art gallery
Nap time at Noon
Black and white photo of a street corner with pedestrians, parked cars, and a building with a sign that reads 'Dancing Hands' for crystals, jewelry, and minerals.
Waiting for class to start
People dancing in front of a carnival food stand that sells pepperoni and cold drinks, with rain-soaked ground and night setting.
Halloween night trick or treating
People walking through a rainy amusement park, some wearing rain ponchos, with rides and carnival games visible in the background.
Two children in raincoats and Crocs standing at a food stand, looking at a smartphone. The food stand offers corndogs, fries, and beverages, with signs above and on the counter.
By the pool's edge
In the shade at the pool
A woman stands on a city sidewalk under a traffic light. The scene includes a multi-story brick building with several windows, some covered with plastic. A street sign indicates the intersection of North and Turnpike.
A sunny day in New Paltz
Untitled
At the shore
People observing cows at a fairground, with tents, rides, and other animals in the background.
A black and white photo of two men running on a wet street, with a white tent and some people under it in the background.
People standing on a wooden deck behind a fence overlooking a landscape, with a sign reading "Seaside Heights" on a boat-shaped structure at the front.
People watching a carnival ride with a clown figure hanging from a carousel.
A woman crouches on the ground, talking on her cellphone at an outdoor book market. Several people browse and sit at tables, with tents overhead. Trees and houses are visible in the background.
People walking on a boardwalk with a cafe and arcade in the background, and women talking on a patio. The cafe sign reads Jersey Roll Bar & Grill.
A woman standing on a beach facing the ocean, wearing shorts, a t-shirt, a cap, and flip-flops.
A black and white photo of a beachside promenade with two men walking hand in hand and parked cars on the right.
A black and white photo of a pier with benches, a small kiosk labeled 'BEACH PASSES,' and a person sitting on a bench facing the ocean while another person walks nearby, with a fence and some American flags in the background.
A woman sitting alone on a wooden bench on a pier, with a drink placed on the bench beside her, and a bag next to her. She is looking to the side, with a fence and sand dunes in the background.
Two people sitting on a rock near a waterfall in a forested area.
Two people riding bicycles across a crosswalk in a park with trees around, in black and white.
A boy playing soccer on a grassy field, with swings and trees in the background, in black and white.
Black and white photo of a busy fairground with a Ferris wheel and food stands that sell funnel cakes, pizza, fried dough, and fried Oreos. People are walking and pushing a stroller.
A man sitting on a wooden bench with an accordion. He wears a striped shawl, a hat, glasses, and light-colored pants. Beside him is an open suitcase with photographs, a sign that says 'Thank You,' and a telephone number. There is a large planter with
A man walking on a sidewalk pushing a shopping cart with a bag inside, held in his right hand, during daytime. The sidewalk is bordered by brick and stone pavers, with potted plants on either side.
A person standing outdoors on a grassy hill, looking out over trees and a river or lake in the distance, wearing a cap and a dark jacket, back facing the camera.
Front of a small shop with a sign labeled 'PHIL'S' on a weathered awning. A window reveals a person inside wearing a plaid shirt, sitting at a counter. The building has siding and a small step leading to the entrance.
A person wearing a hoodie stands on the shore of a lake, looking out over the water with trees in the background.
A woman and a young girl choosing stuffed toys from a machine in a shopping mall.
An elderly man sitting in a wheelchair inside a bookstore. Books are arranged on tables and shelves around him, with a large sign promoting an event and various book displays visible in the background.
People enjoying an outdoor fair or carnival with a ferris wheel in the background, food booths, and tents, some eating ice cream and walking around.
A man wearing a cap, glasses, t-shirt, and shorts crouches near a campfire surrounded by rocks, tending to cooking food over the fire with a frying pan and foil-wrapped items.
A person sitting on a bench in an indoor area, reading a book, with a backpack beside them, next to a white column, with stairs and large windows in the background.
Two people stand at a crosswalk in heavy rain. One holds an umbrella, both wearing dark jackets, with rain pouring down on a wet street with parked cars and buildings in the background.
A person standing by a waterfront railing facing a lake or river, with a mountain in the background, bicycles parked nearby, and empty benches on a paved promenade in black and white.
A young person standing on a platform, holding an umbrella, outside near a building with a sign that reads "John Harderin Hall Student Life Center." The person is wearing a hoodie, shorts, and boots, and is looking downward.
A black and white photograph of a beach scene with a person standing on the shoreline holding a surfboard and a child sitting on the sand watching surfers in the water.
A person standing in the surf at the beach, facing the ocean, with waves rolling in.
People enjoying time at the beach, wading in shallow water near the shoreline, with waves in the background.