People nominee

The noise of New York City has a life of its own. After living in New York for over 6 years I’ve learned that you naturally create a sound barrier that mutes out the multitude of sounds vibrating from the subways to the highest rooftop. The city truly never sleeps. Due to the intensity of the city many elements of the day to day get drowned out of focus as we do our best just to keep up. I learned that although the energy of New York is intoxicating, it is very important to carve out tranquil time for yourself to maintain a peace of mind. MOOD SWING: KILL THE VOLUME explores the simple yet complex relationship between the noise of New York City and the lives that are being lived out to its rhythm. Take a moment to experience how loud silence can be when we quiet the noise and discover hidden truths of New York City.

Kamal X is self-taught documentary photographer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Photography found Kamal in 2015, after deciding to quit everything to travel the world in honor of his best friend who passed away due to colon cancer. A hard truth that serves as a major influence in his creative style, which is rooted in telling stories that showcase the hidden truths of humanity that are often misunderstood or overlooked. Kamal’s covering of the 2020 Black Lives Matter Protests of Oakland, CA and Washington D.C. granted him the opportunity to be featured in the New York Times. Deciding to mold those images into a mini-series entitled The Beautiful: Oakland to D.C., he won 2nd place in Lensculture’s Black & White Photography Awards. In 2021 Kamal was featured in Apple’s “Hometown” campaign which highlighted black photographers across America. Also in 2021 Kamal self-published his debut photography book, A Quest Supreme, which documents 5 years of traveling to over 40 countries in search of inner peace. Most recently, Kamal’s 2nd photography book, BLACK ASTRONAUT, which highlights a nationwide revolution ignited by the pandemic and the passing of George Floyd was released in October of 2023.