Peter Hujar Behind the Camera and in the Darkroom

This series of heartfelt stories invites the reader to discover artist Gary Schneider’s image-making journeys with his friend and mentor, beloved photographer Peter Hujar (1934-1987). Drawing on a selection of Hujar’s photographs, Schneider (b. 1954) takes each image as a starting point for sharing his expertise as a posthumous printer. Outside the darkroom, Schneider situates his chronicle directly in the transformative social changes of downtown New York during the nascent years of the AIDS crisis. By blending Schneider’s stories with his technical prowess, he creates a rich tapestry that serves as both a historical record and a portrait of their relationship.