Sometimes the best photographs are of objects that most people never even notice.
Hoboken photographer Mark Elliot captures images that you’d walk right past, like found objects on the street. His new exhibit, “Eleven Images by Mark Elliot,” which has been up at the Mackey Blue antique store on Twelfth Street since early November, documents intriguing scenes around the mile-square city.
“I got the idea of an iris being a camera lens,” Elliot said. “It’s about seeing pictures straight, and about things that people don’t normally see.”
Some of the photographer’s best works are of “broken down, decaying things,” objects like oil spots left on the street.
“Oil spots can be horrible and disgusting things,” Elliot said, “but most people don’t see the beauty in the color of them.”
“Stuff that people normally walk right by, that’s my style.” – Mark Elliot
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Although Elliot captures objects most people don’t see, he is one of Hoboken’s most visible photographers. In addition to the exhibit at Mackey Blue, Elliot’s work is also on display at William Howard on Second Street and in the lobby of a new condo building at 720 Willow St.
Two of his photographs were even selected by Mayor Dawn Zimmer to be displayed in City Hall.
“I gave them to the city some time ago,” Elliot said. “I’m not sure where they are now, but I was honored.” One was a picture of the Clam Broth House in Hoboken, and the other, a picture of the white H on the blue columns in the Hoboken PATH terminal.
“People love things that say Hoboken,” Elliot said, “which is why my Hoboken manhole covers are one of my top sellers.”
But “Eleven Images by Mark Elliot” is not all obscure scenes from Hoboken streets. There are also portraits in the collection, which Elliot said keeps him from being one dimensional.
“Taking pictures of people is not something I normally do,” Elliot said. “But, I don’t want to only be that manhole cover guy.”
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Manhole covers from around the world
The Hoboken resident and photographer doesn’t just work in town. He has also worked in New York City and in England.
“New York has tons of items that generally get overlooked,” he said. “And great patterns and a lot of macro stuff if you keep your eyes open.”
Across the pond, Elliot works with one of his favorite ’80s bands, Wonderstuff. After following the band for years, Elliot finally met the members and is now close friends with the musicians.
“I did their last CD cover, actually,” he said. “I go over there at least twice a year, or they’ll come here. But, I come back with a lot of great new images, stuff you can’t see in America.”
Elliot said he is hoping to one day get “Mark Elliot – New York City, Hoboken, London,” printed on his business cards “just for fun.”
Although he’s not quite there yet, Elliot said he continues to capture intriguing scenes with an unblinking eye.
“Stuff that people normally walk right by, that’s my style,” he said.
All in the family
Elliot started snapping pictures only six years ago, but photography has been in his family for much longer than that. His father was a military photographer documenting important people and weaponry.
“He captured shells exploding and headshot of generals,” Elliot said. “His work is a lot different than mine.”
Although the two styles are complete opposites, Elliot said his father was one of the reasons he got involved in photography.
“I was framing my pictures for the exhibit at his house,” Elliot said, “and he told me he really liked my work, which meant a lot to me.”
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com