Skater
In the midst of the spring bloom, there are the athletes among us who just gotta go fast. I saw him from the corner of my eye and waited for him to skate into my frame. Gotcha!
Tulips
There is a spot in Central Park where there are some spectacular displays of tulips. It doesn’t appear every year. But this year they were in full splendor. And what is better than painters catching an artful interpretation of the display? So I ask why their easels were set up before the tulips and at the top of each easel was a picture (not this scene) from which they were referencing. Did I miss something? They are painting a picture in front of a real scene of beauty. Hey, it’s a way to go, I guess.
More Central Park
The cherry blossoms always stand out. It is hard to decide whether to go with a close up or get a view of the whole tree in bloom. Folks are all about getting shots of the color. Others are out to make a few dollars. I have lately been taking pictures of people taking pictures.
It’s all special because it happens for only a few short weeks. If you are lucky enough, you will be there to enjoy it.
Central Park
The south entrance at Columbus Circle is my usual path into the park. There are always vendors of art and hot dogs. Lately there are pedi-cabs, which cost a pretty hefty price per minute. There are the horse drawn carriages. Yes, it’s a part of tourist New York.
It’s only a few short weeks when the blossoms add their spectacular color in the spring.
Near the southeast corner of the park is a bridge often photographed. And it seems there’s always a Yankees fan always about.
The bridge as I said is a popular photograph. So I tried for something different. I didn’t know koi fish could winter in Central Park.
Mailbox
I don’t remember when I last saw one. And I haven’t mailed a letter in forever. I’ve been to the post office to pick up registered mail. Otherwise I don’t know the cost of a stamp. And they tell me now that the stamps don’t have a price on them anymore. They are good until you use them. Hmm… I think the last time I bought a stamp it was about 43 cents? And that was a while ago. Well, with the post office in the pickle it’s in, mailboxes have disappeared from most corners. And soon this will be a collector’s item.
Hot Dogs
Hot dog stands are New York. You don’t really encounter them too much elsewhere. Somehow they do a brisk business. Everyone seems to survive. It’s quintessential NYC.
Street Photography
You walk around and mostly people blend in. This gal stood out. She walked by a construction site and got the usual glances and stares. That was expected. But other passersby also took notice enough that I noticed too. Well, to be honest, the dress is too tight and the hips a bit too plump, but there was something that just made everyone look.
Broadway
Shows, marquees, people, it’s all around you. Even early in the morning there’s action on the block. The Stardust Diner is right next to the Winter Garden Theater. Broadway is an avenue with theaters nearby to Times Square. It’s not a place. And most picture’s look like Times Square. Most tourists think of musicals and certainly Spiderman packs ‘em in. But there is some serious drama that’s present too. So many theaters, so many seats, so many shows – and it’s all full night after night.
Souvenir
That’s one thing that Saudi Arabia doesn’t have. There are no souvenir stores. No T-shirts with Saudi logos, no hats, no nothing because there are really no tourists. There are folks who travel to Mecca, but it’s an entirely different kind of trip. Tourists are really discouraged from coming to Saudi. You need an invitation and it’s not easy. But in NY there’s never an end to what will sell. Anything with an NY logo is fair game. It’s fascinating to see what sells because someone will buy.
Colony Records
The name says it all. It’s closed. There no records. This was a fixture in Times Square for many years. No more records, right! And it was a place for sheet music. I remember we stopped for Suzuki piano lesson music. Yup, it was a big hangout for anyone who needed hard to find things. There was a write-up before it closed. Now it’s a storefront waiting to happen.
New Restaurant
My bad, I don’t remember the name. It’s new on 8th Avenue. It’s fast food Asian as if the wok guys weren’t fast to start with. It’s got a big lunchtime crowd. It’s not a quite got that ‘it’ quality, so I haven’t tried the food. But, I do like the art. Restaurants come and go with frightening quickness. This one is at least distinguishable, though it’s hard to say the food will really catch on. It reminds me of a hole in the wall Ramen noodle shop with a line out the door at all hours. My daughter doesn’t care for ramen so we haven’t tried it.
Times Square Art Project
There was a sign about an art project. The artists were plastering posters to the sidewalk. The next day anyone could walk across them. It’s kind of spooky to see these shots. In the middle left one person looks a little like Jennifer my former PA. No matter what, there’s always something doing in Times Sq.
Times Square Too
I’m used to seeing the naked cowboy posing in his BVD’s for tips. He could never play his guitar but it was a good place to keep the money. This cowgirl wannabe is a thin emaciated Hispanic male claiming that he can’t speak. The general reaction from the public was to shy away. He was too weird – even for New York. The Statue of Liberty was working the same piece of turf and doing a fair business. A shot with “Liberty” was at least New York.
Twins? There was another Statue working Central Park. A good idea isn’t limited to a single location.
Times Square
It is and always has been funky. It was pretty sleazy for a while but that’s cleaned up quite a lot. Don’t be mistaken. There’s a ton of police presence and plenty of video surveillance. That doesn’t mean that they don’t allow characters. You can see Disney – Mickey etc, Sesame – Elmo etc, and then there are unique characters unto New York.
It is and always has been funky. It was pretty sleazy for a while but that’s cleaned up quite a lot. Don’t be mistaken. There’s a ton of police presence and plenty of video surveillance. That doesn’t mean that they don’t allow characters. You can see Disney – Mickey etc, Sesame – Elmo etc, and then there are unique characters unto New York.
No matter what you wear, most people will pass by without so much as a glance. Outrageous is commonplace.
Tulips
I have lots of chances to get shots of the tulips. So you have to look for a different point of view. It’s always worth a shot to shoot the center of the flower. Shadows can be tricky. I got this one at Columbus Circle on my walk around the city.
WTC Memorial
It’s open to the public. I haven’t been there yet. Once again there is something of historical significance to have a shot while the construction is still in progress. This is a view that won’t be repeated. I watched the dedication on TV at the 10th year anniversary – James Taylor, You Can Close Your Eyes and Paul Simon, Sounds of Silence. It was pretty powerful stuff.
City Hall Park
I just love this shot of having a snack surrounded by the petals in a light rain. ‘Nuff said. And then again, I had the good fortune to catch the tulips from high atop a building overlooking the park. It’s a good idea to always have a camera handy. I’m a full time tourist these days and always have a camera close by.
World Trade Center, Freedom Tower
The recent news is that the tower is topped. They have positioned the antenna and will complete the outer structure soon. I’m glad to have an opportunity to get these shots. They will be unique, a one of kind memory. From here on you can only get shots of the completed building.
And when you happen to be traveling without a camera, an iPhone at least gets you a shot.
Grandma’s Courtyard
It turns out I didn’t miss spring in New York. This opportunity arose when I waited for Grandma and took advantage of her courtyard in bloom. I’ve shot cherry blossoms every which way. You would think that I’ve exhausted the subject. But each and every time you try to get something different.
Under different circumstances dandelions are weeds. For some they are food and others wine. Today it’s another spring flower.
Tyler Place Group
This is for Susan. She’s the sentimental archivist among us. It’s a nostalgic last group photo of five families who used to summer on Lake Champlain at the Tyler place. For my family it was the last summer we went. The others had stopped already. It’s amazing how one image gives you so many memories. Four couples have remained pretty close until recent years. It’s too bad that that has changed as well.
Container Gardening
I tend to do things in enthusiastic excess. For a while I was really consumed with container gardening. I suppose it was good for my blood pressure. There’s a certain zen state that you enter as you water the plants every day. I could have gotten an automatic watering system but that wouldn’t have been as much fun. Lately it’s mostly weeds that take up in the containers. Maybe I’ll get back to it one day.
Cousins
Another cousin shot, it seems when Bryant moved to California the group shots got much more rare now. We get one now and again, but they are few and far between. Who knew when I took this shot, how infrequent the gatherings would become?
Birthday Cake
Another birthday, another cake, and they were pretty much all different. So I have gradually collected the series and posted them for my wife. She’s always wanted me to collect them for her. All hand decorated and homemade, food art doesn’t last past the first slice unless you got a picture.
Steven
I don’t know how Steven ended up in this dress. But he seemed to be having a great time. Me, I’m just the shooter. I haven’t seen him in a dress since this picture. He just made Eagle Scout. Congratulations, Stevie.
