Color
I have said elsewhere and before that I am no Black and White photographer. Color! I think color. I see colors and patterns and contrasts filled with vibrancy. Pow! In your face color! No Ansel Adams waiting and exposing and patiently developing details in Zone VII. I have a completely different personality – all go, no waiting, do it now! Ha ha. I used to wait to develop slides for forever, as long as a year. That is a lot of time for a mistake to linger before you can see the error, let alone correct yourself. Ego! I was perfect. Ha ha. Not!! And, please don’t shoot me. Too many shots, not enough time for the stories.
Parenthetically, I will add, that when I shot the moose, someone in the lecture asked where? As in, he thought I had shot this moose with a gun. Ha ha. No! And I lived to tell the tale.
Ten years
…about. It’s been about ten years that I have been blog posting. It’s a lot of pictures. Let’s say thousands. I have been blogging multiple pictures a day for a long time. There’s no parsimony in me. Ha! I have had a good ride! There have been tragic events. Tumultuous? … for sure. Tremendous, stupendous? … as well. I would not trade Colleen for the world. I could not begin to summarize what the last ten years have been. It slips by in flash leaving me bewildered that it was only in the past few years that things changed so much. The Red Sea? Carol was finally happy the fish are in the rear view mirror. Ginny? She’s glad to finally see emotion when I write about Colleen. Platitudes? Nah! This blog has been a free expression of what moved me on the day I took these pictures. Looking back….no, I’m not one to do that. I close with thanks to all who read and have read this blog.
2005
2005, February, Central Park, New York City, “Gates,” Jeanne Claude and Christos. Christos passed away recently. Jeanne Claude died in 2009 of a brain aneurysm, no less. Their signature art installation for me was “Gates.” My database and Lightroom catalog got me to the images in about five minutes. My memory got me to the only frames in which I caught the artists inspecting their work. My memory also recalls that I did not walk the park with Lisa. Strange. I persuaded Charlie to fly over Central Park in the helicopter. Alas, the (aerial) pictures were not memorable. Carol framed and hung a few of my “Gates” pics. I wonder if they are still hanging? No one else has tried such monumental works. Somewhere, I have a sample of the ‘Gates’ cloth. No, I will not find that anytime soon.
The Park
Central Park. Is there any other? In the middle of the “City” amongst a million people, a park was created to preserve open space. When you consider that every other inch is covered with developers scheming to construct a high rise something, it is pretty remarkable that someone didn’t pave over and build on this park. I took the kids to school many days. And in the fall, I could see and gauge the autumn color as it developed. Not enough, but a few times I would venture into the park and get some fall shots. I got lots of leaves in color, but, not so much of the city and park in peak fall foliage. In the midst of it all there is serenity to be found. I didn’t realize how crowded it was. Now I live where there are mere thousands (population). I have to drive for a while to find traffic. A car going by on my street after dark is unusual. The beach is crowded. I might have to cruise for five whole minutes to get a parking spot. I live with someone who worries about parking. She was lucky to see a car near her once a day. Geez! She worries about parking all the time.
Central Park Wedding Shoot
Why not? People get married everyday. I guess mostly weekends are preferred dates to get married. But in a public way everyone gets to celebrate with you. This couple was rushing along to get pictures along the boat lake in the park. Okay I get the photographer dressed casually. The bride has pants under the dress and her jacket over it. The groom might need to grow into his tux. My first impression is that his shoes are not formal either. No matter, a newly wed couple is always a fine photo opportunity.
Central Park Boathouse
This is another favorite location for movie producers. The boathouse is so named for remote control boats that ply the pond. There are rental boats. Or if you are hardcore, you bring your own. The picture is all about New York City.
Central Park Fountain
If you go, this fountain is one that sits close by to the boat basin from which folks rent rowboats on a nice day. There are now gondoliers (Venice Italy) who can take you out. It’s not the same as Venice. The fountain is a popular NYC location in the movies so even if you haven’t been there, you’ve probably seen this fountain. I got this shot on one of my bike trips through the park. I bike and I always have a camera. Then you get to combine all the things you like to do…multitasking.
Cherry Blossoms
They talk about Washington DC. And some say Japan. I say Central Park in New York City. I get lots of shots, sometimes good, sometimes better, nothing quintessential yet. But I remember once when J and I walked the park together and she was just getting to know photography.
And the brilliance of the forsythia… it lasts so fleetingly, the rest of the year spent in tangled obscurity. But that was a pretty special day in my memory. It was not the only time J and I have been in the park in the spring. But it is the first time that I remember it. And yes the colors, the day, and the company were particularly wonderful.
Carriage Ride
Quintessential New York, this surely beats a ride in a pedi-cab. The top hat is nice. But it’s still a business and not a show. So you see a lot of boredom. The driver’s done it. The horse knows the route. Ok, tips, but really, you the picture you see is better than the ride.
Ballpark With A View
There is something fascinating about playing ball with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. I say again that shutter lag is a pain with a point and shoot. It means you need some patience to get the ball in your frame. It’s still a heck of view out to center field.
Tulip
There are tulips and then there are tulips. The pattern of the petals was striking. It’s graphic art. It helped that the sun was bright. I know it’s high contrast and I should go in at high noon. I guess that if you follow the rule you don’t get this shot. The macro setting is really convenient. I suppose the DOF ruins the ‘bokeh’ for those knowing photographers. Hey, I like the shot.
Painter
What do you do if you’re a face painter and there’s no one about who wants one? Paint yourself. I guess it’s obvious. She’s good but I didn’t want my face painted.
Central Park Carousel
A great shot that I took many years ago was a close up of one of the carousel horses when we visited Disney. This time at the Central Park carousel I didn’t have a kid with me, so I didn’t enter the carousel. No horse shot. But outside the enclosure I got this munchkin. I only wonder why she was outside looking in?
Hillside Daffodils
A low angle is always different. Most photographers like to shoot at eye level and never stoop to get a better angle. It’s harder for me to stoop these days. But here the hillside did the work for me. All I had to do was aim and shoot. I just love that blue-sky background. Of course it helps if there is one flower standing up to grab the show.
Giant Bubble
Here’s one that I haven’t seen before. Sure I’ve seen bubbles but this was humongous. Nice idea! So I’ve got a point and shoot camera with a little shutter lag trying to get this shot. It’s easier said than done. The artist said, “You can’t get a shot unless you put money in the jar. The bubble gods are fickle.” I finally coughed up a buck to get a staged shot. But this early shot was the one I edited and kept. I just love the creative ideas people come up with to entertain the passersby.
Pink
The flowers come out all along the branches. It’s a great color display. I got the sun into the shot unintentionally. I would say that it was planned but it would not be so. Still, the image is a keeper.
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.
Spring, Central Park
Every spring Central Park puts on a show of spring blossoms. It’s free. You just have to wander the paths. There are cherry blossoms, magnolias, forsythias, tulips, daffodils and so many other details for the pleasure of all who visit. Once and only once so far, did Julia accompany me. We wandered near and far across the park. It’s was a special day in my memory now. Hey I’m glad we got some quality time together.
Egret Central Park
There is a large lake upon which row boats are rented. People are constantly strolling the edges or picnicking along the banks. So, it’s a surprise to see an egret along the edge. If you can make it in New York, you’re tough. So this guy and I had a stare down. He didn’t back off. It’s a New York kind of attitude.
Central Park Painting
Look around and art is all around us. I love to see painters at work. Surprisingly there aren’t too many who sit and work in public places. Maybe I just don’t hang where there is a lot of inspiration. So it’s a pleasant encounter whenever I stumble across an artist at work.
Central Park Statue
I am reminded of an old joke that starts with: A male and a female statue were given the gift of life. They promptly disappeared into the bushes. Emerging, the male said to the female, “Again?” And she replied, “Yes, …but this time you hold it while I shit on it.” And, yes, even in Saudi Arabia, there are plenty of pigeons.
Central Park
Each spring the blossoms put on quite a show. Some years are better than others. I have an especially soft spot for bright deep blue sky. And with this background the blossoms are just that much more dramatic.
Cherry Blossoms
April 2001, Central Park. There are a few trees that are dependable subjects in the park in the spring. This year I have been past this tree several times and not noticed it. Usually this tree, laden in blossoms stops me. Sometimes things are remembered more vividly in your memory. Here’s proof that my memory still works. This tree is just not as spectacular this year.
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