I moved from LA to City Island - A Slice of NYC Paradise about three decades ago and met Maestro Ron Terner shortly thereafter.
He is our resident artist and award-winning photojournalist who owns Focal Point Gallery. Ron captured this image offering a striking glimpse into a moment when pay phones were still a vital part of daily life, especially in an urban environment like New York’s City Island. It’s more than just a snapshot of a young lady using a pay phone—it’s a visual record of a time when technology was shifting, yet still tethered to analog tools for communication. The scene embodies the tension between the old and new: a time before cell phones were ubiquitous when people depended on pay phones for everything from casual calls to important conversations. This pic was shot and offered online before I suggested he watermark all his amazing images.
The setting of City Island adds a layer of charm to the image. Known for its unique, almost island-like feeling within The Bronx, City Island uniquely blends suburban and urban elements, with its maritime influences and tight-knit community. It’s a place that would naturally amplify the contrast between the fast pace of New York City life and the slower, more intimate moments captured in this photograph.
The vibrant street scene emphasizes the busy yet familiar atmosphere of the times. Whether it’s the fashion, the signage, or even the way people engage with the physical space around them, this photograph conveys a certain energy—one of a moment before technology completely reshaped how we connect. It is a nostalgic reminder of when communication was physically tied to a location, and privacy and moments of personal connection still carried weight.
This image invites reflection in the context of the larger cultural and technological shifts of the late 20th century. The pay phone, once ubiquitous, now seems like a relic, evoking a sense of wistfulness for a simpler era. It underscores how much technology and social habits have evolved and how moments like these, frozen in time, allow us to appreciate how communication has transformed, for better or worse.
Thank you, Maestro Terner.