Michael Ernest Sweet

Photographer and Writer in New York City

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Michael Ernest Sweet is a Canadian photographer, writer, and educator, known for his gritty, up-close black-and-white street photography and his insightful critiques of contemporary photographic practices. His work captures the raw, unvarnished moments of everyday life, while his writing offers pointed analysis of the medium’s evolving landscape.

Sweet is the author of two books of street photography: The Human Fragment and Michael Sweet's Coney Island, both published by Brooklyn Arts Press. In addition to his photographic works, he has written over 100 published pieces across various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, essays, academic research, and art criticism. His writing has been featured in publications such as The Evergreen Review, English Journal, Canadian Teacher, Photo Life Magazine, The Huffington Post, Digital Camera Magazine, F-Stop Magazine, and Street Photography.com, among others. Sweet has also contributed forewords to several notable books, including Visions of Paradise by Jon Ortner and multiple volumes of The World Street Photography Annual. He has also sat on the jury of various photography competitions, including multiple years with Urban Photo Awards in Italy.

A recipient of both a Canadian Prime Minister's Award and a Queen Elizabeth II Medal, Sweet has made appearances in films like Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable and Fill the Frame.

Michael has also experimented with abstract painting as well as micro-films, like the one below.

Michael Sweet currently resides in New York City, where he teaches English literature.

  • Education
    • The Johns Hopkins University
Testimonials
Michael Ernest Sweet’s photos are not sweet at all—they are rich and investigative, with a unique voice that speaks of presence, mystery, and selectivity—a highly personal vision.
Jay Maisel
Michael Ernest Sweet’s images transform ordinary reality into the unforgettable.
Roger Ballen
Michael’s Coney Island work proves that he is no foreigner to the place. The work has an authenticity that is obvious—a real feel for the people who inhabit the beach and the boardwalk. I was born on Coney Island and have photographed there for 65 years, and although I thought I “owned” Coney Island, I happily concede a share of it to Michael.
Harold Feinstein