A Snapshot of a Diverse Era

Barbara Ramos, a photographer whose work spans the late 1960s and early 1970s, created compelling black-and-white images during her time as a student at the San Francisco Art Institute. Unlike the iconic representations of the Summer of Love, Ramos’s photographs offer a rich exploration of urban life, as described in the illuminating book A Fearless Eye: The Photography of Barbara Ramos by art historian Sally Stein. Her images reveal layers of societal intricacies in a remarkably diverse setting where, intriguingly, “the center still held.”

Capturing Everyday Moments

Originally from New York City and later raised in Los Angeles, Barbara Ramos adeptly documented everyday scenes that encapsulate the essence of urban living. Her photographs highlight subtle yet captivating details, such as:

• A couple waiting for a bus on 16th Street, leaning against a wall next to a park.
• A man napping on his car’s hood, situated near a group of hippies at Altamont.
• A salesman positioned in front of a wall stacked with shoe boxes.
• A grandmother lost in thought while rocking a stroller in front of a Chinatown storefront.

Each photograph skillfully combines nostalgia with authenticity, featuring recognizable clothing and hairstyles that firmly establish their historical context.

The Photographer’s Connection

In a reflective essay included in the book, Ramos expresses her deep connection to the subjects she captured: “I felt like I became the people I was photographing. Every waking minute I was obsessed by looking, by exploring the world,” she stated in an interview with Steven A. Heller.

A Long Hiatus and Rediscovery

Following her early photographic endeavors, Ramos transitioned away from photography to pursue a career in jewelry making, during which she stored her photographic work away for five decades. However, in 2020, she rediscovered her photographic negatives, leading to a creative revival. She began to share her historical images on social media, posting one photo each day.

Publication of a Hidden Treasure

The photographs, republished for the first time in A Fearless Eye, reveal Ramos’s unique ability to capture the mundane and the extraordinary in a city on the brink of significant change. Her work serves not only as an artistic endeavor but also as a historical document showcasing the everyday lives of individuals during a transformative period.