John Albok (1894–1982) was a tailor by profession and an artist by passion. He emigrated from his native Hungary to New York City in 1921 and immediately became an American citizen. By day, he made fine dresses and suits from his Upper East Side tailor shop. In his free time he photographed the activities of his neighborhood and other areas of the city. He printed his images in a small darkroom in the back and proudly hung them around the shop.