David Godlis

Occupation Photographer

Hometown

Current Residence East Village, New York

David Godlis, best known by his last name Godlis, has been taking pictures in New York (“mostly black-and-white”) since the ’70s. He captured the emergence of punk and the seminal moments to follow—many of which are documented in his book "History is Made at Night"—has been the unofficial official photographer of the New York Film Festival since 1986, and as he tells us, has photographed "the streets of New York City since forever.”

WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE?
I Saw the Light.

WHAT CAN’T YOU TRAVEL WITHOUT AND WHY?
Camera, phone, glasses.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION AND WHY?
Florida. Everything there looks good in pictures.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN NYC?
Bagel and coffee, then wander aimlessly and take pictures.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE PERSON TO SHOW YOU “THEIR NEW YORK CITY,” WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Ben Katchor—to show me his brilliant world of Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer.

WHAT OR WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY AND WHY?
Lee Friedlander, and Iggy Pop; eyes and ears.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NYC RESTAURANTS? WHAT DO YOU ORDER THERE?
Veselka (Madame Alexander sandwich), B&H Dairy (soup and blintzes), and Cafe Mogador (eggs over easy and cappuccino).

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SPOT IN NYC FOR DRINKS?
Gem Spa for egg cream, Mudd in Astor Place for iced coffee

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ART FIX IN NYC? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST?
Howl Happening Gallery. Curt Hoppe, and Arturo Vega.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR UNDER-THE-RADAR MUST-DO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NYC VISITORS?
Walk. Keep your eyes open, put away your phone, and take the road less traveled.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC STORES AND WHY?
I Need More on Orchard Street, Dashwood Books, and the Tenement Museum bookshop.

WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS? WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS?
Blondie’s Pollinator, the Kinks (anything), and Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review.

WHAT ALBUM OR SONG WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL SOUNDTRACK TO NYC?
Television’s Marquee Moon.

WHEN YOU THINK OF NYC, ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR EMOTIONS OR MEMORIES THAT IMMEDIATELY COME TO MIND?
Concrete.

PHOTOGRAPHY Curt Hoppe