“Much of the contemporary photography we see these days is inspired by what you could call staged tableaux,” says photographer Nick Haymes. “While the intention is to create a realistic narrative, the result is often exceptionally heavy-handed and manipulated. In many ways, this show is a rebuttal of that prevailing aesthetic.” Tonight at Lombard Freid Projects, co-curators Haymes and Lea Freid will celebrate the opening of Minor Cropping May Occur (selected diaries 1962-2011), an exhibition of 13 photographers – some established, some emerging; from Israel, Denmark, Japan, and other countries; and active between the early 1960s and the present.

Working with Fried for the first time (the two are "close friends"), Haymes' photographs will show alongside those by JH Engstrom, Rona Yefman, and Daifu Motoyuki, working to "create a personal narrative that is missing from the documentary form of photography." The photos - diaristic, tightly edited -- muddy private and public spheres, and feel haunted by the artists themselves. "Documentary photography is, as much as it can be, very objective, whereas these artists are always present in their work, regardless of whether they are in the frame or not," explains Haymes. “Hopefully the artists and images can serve as kindling to create a far larger dialogue about the direction of photographic imagery.”

Minor Cropping May Occur runs through March 19th. If you're interested in photography, the show's not to be missed.