New York City’s subway transforms into a fantastical realm each Halloween, with its fluorescent lights and dark tunnels providing a natural setting for the holiday’s eerie atmosphere. In a city that never sleeps, even the subway becomes a stage for Halloween enthusiasts. Celebrated photographer Seymour Licht has captured this phenomenon for nearly two decades, chronicling the parade of costumed characters that make their way through the underground.
Licht’s work culminates in his book, “Halloween Underground,” released in concurrence with the 50th anniversary of the iconic Village Halloween Parade. He explains, “I started with documentary (photography), just recording what I saw,” but his vision soon evolved. “And then I was so transfixed that I wanted to elevate it and (make it) more magical and surreal.” His photographs reveal the subway as a liminal space, especially during Halloween, traditionally associated with the thinning veil between the living and the dead.
Over the years, Licht’s photos have not only reflected the changing faces of Halloween but also the technological shifts in photography, from Fuji transparency film to the current digital era. His lens has captured everything from iconic horror figures like Pennywise to whimsical characters like the married foxes from “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Yet, Licht observes a decline in costume complexity, noting, “I think the more elaborate costumes, where you see people put a lot of thought and time in it, are a little bit more uncommon.” Despite this, he still sees Halloween as a “fantastical ride” through the city’s underbelly, a night when all embrace the spirit of mischief and playfulness.
As “Halloween Underground” hits the shelves, readers can dive into a collection of photographs that celebrate the creativity and chaos of Halloween in New York City’s subways. Licht leaves us with a parting thought: “The wonderful thing about Halloween is that people generally are game for everything for anything. They’re out there to have a good time. There is an air of being a little bit naughty and playful.”