Tomasz Trzebiatowski, founder and editor-in-chief of FRAMES Magazine, sent an email to Chris Stevens-Yu and subscribers to FRAMES explaining why he liked the image, Closing Time, which Chris had posted to the FRAMES Facebook group.
WHY I LIKE IT:
What draws me in here is the deliberate tension between distance and design. The strong black lattice in the foreground turns the entire scene into a kind of visual puzzle, forcing me to look more slowly, more deliberately, to find the figure in the distance.
The Statue of Liberty, faint and far off, feels almost like a hidden detail—something you earn only after really observing.
I love how the sharp contrast of the fence transforms it into a geometric frame, not a barrier. The chain running across at an angle introduces just enough imperfection to keep the symmetry from becoming too static.
There’s a quiet playfulness here: between near and far, order and irregularity, freedom and framing. The photograph invites reflection not just on the subject, but on how we choose to look at it.
WHERE I FOUND IT
FRAMES Facebook Group
Chris Stevens-Yu: Closing Time
Chris took this image while on the Staten Island Ferry, looking to frame the Statue of Liberty in unique ways. Closing Time gave the visual metaphor that he’s currently feeling.
FRAMES Magazine, established in 2020, includes a quarterly printed magazine, monthly digital editions, a supportive community platform, and exclusive events featuring renowned photographers.
Details:
FRAMES Magazine:
https://readframes.com/