Charalampos Kydonakis, also known as Dirty Harrry, developed Warn'd in Vain between 2014 and 2017 while exploring the urban landscapes of New York City. Over multiple visits spanning approximately seven months in total, Kydonakis sought to subvert conventional photographic representations of one of the world’s most documented places. Drawing from ancient Greek mythology—particularly Argonautica—Kydonakis reimagines New York as a modern-day Colchis, a destination where struggle, ambition, and fate intersect.
The artistic intent behind Warn’d in Vain is deeply rooted in themes of human adversity, alienation, and raw urban existence. Unlike traditional street photography, which often adopts an observational approach, Kydonakis engages as an active participant within the chaotic human theater, immersing himself in the unpredictable rhythms of the city. His images defy easy interpretation, presenting fragmented narratives that provoke a visceral response. Using close-up perspectives and an aggressive use of flash, his compositions illuminate subjects in ways that challenge naturalistic perception. Faces, gestures, and fleeting moments emerge in stark relief against shadowy backdrops, evoking a sense of unease and mystery.
Technically, Kydonakis employs a 28mm or 35mm lens with a full-frame digital camera, a setup that allows him to remain embedded within his subjects’ surroundings. His use of a handheld flash creates a unique lighting effect, heightening contrasts and emphasizing physicality within the frame. The combination of spontaneous shooting and precise post-processing techniques, including selective luminance masking, enables him to craft images that feel both raw and calculated.
First self-published in 2018 after a successful crowdfunding campaign, Warn’d in Vain circulated through photobook channels—drawing reviews in PhotoBook Journal, dienacht, and LENSCRATCH—and has since appeared in independent presentations tied to the self-publishing scene (e.g., Zoetrope, Athens).
