“Side Walk” is Jeff Mermelstein’s definitive early statement on the absurdity of urban life. Shot primarily on the streets of Manhattan, Mermelstein uses a high-speed, intuitive approach and saturated color to capture the “accidental” moments of New York City. The book is filled with bizarre and hilarious vignettes: a man with a cat on his head, intense sidewalk negotiations, and the fleeting expressions of people caught in the urban grind. Mermelstein’s work follows the tradition of Garry Winogrand but adds a contemporary edge of irony and vibrant, almost aggressive color. This volume is considered a cult classic among street photography enthusiasts for its energy and raw, unpolished honesty.