I've Moved to WordPress

I hope you'll continue to check out my posts over there.  Here's the link to my new website.  It also contains a link to my blog.

A Gray Day in Manhattan

I haven't gone out on a good long walk to take pictures in a few weeks, but I have a reason for that. My niece and her adorable son are visiting us for a few weeks and I've been too busy having fun with them to be able to go off for long periods of time.  The most I've been able to do is take a few pictures here and there when we take my nephew out for a walk.  I have been able to get a few interesting shots.  Of course, my niece laughs at how I can't just go out for a walk.  I have to take a few pictures.

Today was a different story.  I was able to get the afternoon to myself so I decided to go out to Herald Square.  I usually go to either Times Square or Union Square and at this point, I definitely needed a change of scenery.  I'd love for that change to take place in another country, but that is something to discuss in a different post.

Since it was Herald Square, you had the usual crowd of tourists and weekend shoppers.  It was packed and yet I still saw so many people walking with their heads down and completely focused on their phones.  I'm not surprised and yet I am.  I have no idea why people do not pay attention when they are walking.  I remember a time when I used to work in the Times Square area and as I was waiting for a light, a guy (busy talking on his phone of course) almost stepped right in front of a truck that was passing by.  I yanked his arm back, but damn.  People need to pay attention.  Even if it isn't to avoid bodily harm, how about just being considerate of other people who may not appreciate you walking into them because your head is in the clouds?  The girl with the glasses is even looking at two phones.  In spite of my ranting, I have to admit that this photo amused me.

It was a good day of shooting.  I took around forty five pictures and I ended up keeping about twenty pictures, so I'd say the day was a success.  We all dream of working for ourselves rather than someone else, so I found this enterprising young lady really cute.

I was so busy taking pictures that I had no idea what her sign said until I got home and got the pictures on my computer.  I admire her business sense, but I would have used a marker to make her business intentions more clear to people who were hurrying by.  I hope that she didn't spend too much on those flowers, but I definitely admire any young person (or anyone in general) who has an entrepreneurial spirit.

The day came to a close when it started to sprinkle.  I had already been there for a few hours, so I decided to just pack it in and go home.  When I got off the train at my stop, it wasn't raining and I was holding on to the hope that I could make it home before it started to rain, but of course that didn't happen.  I hadn't brought an umbrella with me, but at least I was wearing a hoodie.  Even though it was kind of cool outside, I wasn't about to let my camera get wet, so I unzipped my hoodie and used it to shelter my camera from the rain.  My family thought it was so funny that I would rather catch a cold than let any rain get on my camera.  Hey, camera people will understand. Right?

What Should You Share and What Should You Save?

This is a question that I've been asking myself a lot lately.  I used to post to Flickr a lot of what I had photographed that day.  I've been using Flickr on and off since 2006 and I love it.  I love looking at the photos that other people have taken.  I love the interaction between other members. It's a great place to pass a few hours.  There are so many talented people there that you could spend all day there and never run out of fascinating pictures to see.

I think part of the problem is that when you have a good day of shooting, it's difficult to pick and choose which photos to post and which ones to keep for yourself.  If you're like me, you'll wish you had chosen differently no matter which photos you chose to post.  (Much like decisions made in life.  Ha ha.)  You want people to see really good photos, but you don't want to post all the best photos and then when you are selling something to a client (if you sell your pictures), the best photos you have are already on the internet somewhere.

Another thing is if you have multiple accounts (Flickr, blog, Instagram, Facebook page, etc.) it becomes even more difficult to choose which photos you should post.  Should you post one photo on each account?  Should it be a different photo or would it be acceptable to post the same photo to each account?  For my photography, I only have two places where I post.  My Flickr page and my blog.  This is one of my favorite pictures that I have posted on both my flickr page and here:

 I tend to post more pictures to my Flickr page than to my blog because on Flickr I don't feel like my photos need to tell a story or be relevant to one particular topic.  With my blog, I feel like the pictures illustrate the point that I'm trying to make about whatever I happen to be writing.  I'm working on a few projects at the moment, so even though I still take as many photos as I used to, my habits of posting the majority of what I've taken (specifically to Flickr) has gone down a bit.

Here's a photo I've kept to myself for a while.  It may not be the best photo I've ever taken but it just struck me as odd and that is why I had to capture the moment.  I was walking through Tompkins Square Park and it was a nice day outside, so of course there were a lot more people to photograph.

So what are your ideas on posting photos?  Do you generally stick to one photo or do you post a series?  Do you post the same photo to each account or do you try to provide some variety?  Also, what are your reasons for either keeping the photos to yourself or posting them?

Where Do You Need to Improve?

For me, it's in the area of night photography.  I love looking at relatively crisp night shots, with every detail visible.  My favorite night photographer is Marius Vieth.  I think his photos are absolutely amazing.  My night photos could definitely use some work.  I usually take photos in the day time.  When the sun goes down, my day is pretty much finished.  Recently, I've been having the desire to shoot new things, and since there is always something new to learn, I decided to try night photography again.

These pictures were taken with my Canon S110 point and shoot when I stepped out to go to the grocery store tonight.  Unless I'm taking photos of my family or friends, I always shoot in manual.  I used to shoot in aperture priority, but I just got into shooting in manual mode after a while.  I'm also challenging myself to not edit my photos in any way.  No dodge, no burn, no cropping, etc.  Not even straightening a crooked picture.  None of the little things that a lot of us don't really consider to be altering a photo, so these pictures are straight out of the camera, unedited.

1/40, f4, 5mm, ISO 1600

1/25, f4, 12mm, ISO 1600

I think the first picture isn't that bad.  It's relatively sharp, at least to my eye.  I like how the street lamps have that pointed star pattern.  I'd love to take my T4i out with a tripod and see what kind of shots I can really get, but in my neighborhood, when the sun goes down, best not carry anything that will trip you up or weigh you down, or to put it more plainly, don't carry anything around your neck that's worth more than your head.

The second picture is blurry, but not so blurry that the details of the picture are lost.  For night shots, I like them to either be complete devoid of people, or without only one or two people at the most.  I like to capture things the way that I see them.  Even though New York is referred to as "the city that never sleeps", unless you go to someplace like Times Square, you don't really see that many people at night.  The night time is usually a very isolated time, and I like to take pictures that capture the mood of darkness.  The loneliness, the isolation, and how even with all of that, the night can still be beautiful in it's own way.

What area of photography do you feel that you need to improve?  What methods do you use to better your photography?

Show or Tell?

I love photography.  I love taking pictures.  I love seeing pictures that other people have taken, whether it's street, landscape or whatever.  I love reading and looking at photography books and blogs.  It may sound silly to some people, but I feel like photography makes me feel complete. Whenever I go out, whether it's to run an errand, spend time with family or friends, go for a walk, etc., I find myself involuntarily looking for what would make a good shot, or I hastily reach into my bag for my trusty point and shoot to photograph a great moment before it's gone.

In a lot of what I've read, either in books or online, a lot of photographers favor not giving any kind of background on their photos and letting their work speak for itself, and letting the viewer try and figure out for themselves what is going on in the scene.  While I enjoy this method from other photographers, I myself go the opposite route.  Sometimes you need an explanation.  Not a ten page essay on the situation, but just a few lines about what you observed.

Union Square, NYC 

For this picture you couldn't not see this guy.  I'm not sure what his deal was.  He was just going up to people and talking to them and then moving on.  No story of any kind is needed for this picture (in my opinion, of course).  His unusual outfit speaks for itself.

This picture, in my opinion, needs an explanation and it can be found here.  This picture makes me laugh every time I see it, mostly because I remember my brother's reaction when I showed this to him.  

I like both ways of presenting photos.  Sometimes, a photo truly can stand alone.  Other times, an explanation just adds to the photo.  Every picture has a story, and sometimes sharing that story makes the viewer connect more to the photo.  It just really irritates me when I read about how things should be.  Photos either should be in black and white or in color, but not both.  You either should shoot street photography or landscapes.  You shouldn't have a story with your photos.  You should let the viewer make their own stories.  Personally, I feel that the only "should" is that you should shoot first and foremost for yourself.  If one day you feel like shooting landscapes and the next you're drawn more towards street shots, do that.  If you take photos based on what other people feel that you should do, isn't that like living your life for someone else?  Be creative.  Take risks.  If people like it, great.  If they don't, well that shouldn't be your problem.  As long as you are being true to yourself and your art, then photograph whatever moves you.

Subway Entertainers

I try not to take the trains too often.  I prefer to take buses to wherever I'm headed.  The trains are just too crowded and hectic.  Walking through train stations makes my heart pound.  Everybody seems to either be running or cutting in front of someone else who is running.  Then there is the added stressor of getting a seat or being body checked by someone who barrels through a crowded train if they even sense someone getting up from their seat.

We also have to deal with subway musicians and other entertainers.  Who are those guys who do the flips and other acrobatics on a train?  I wonder if they've ever kicked someone when they're flipping around?  You can't go into a subway without seeing someone playing some kind of instrument with their instrument case opened in front of them with a bunch of change and a few stray dollar bills already in the case.

Delancey St. station on the Uptown F platform

 

Subway musicians are as a much a part of the NYC subway system as the transit riders themselves.  From the guys at the 34th St. Herald Square station who seem to have a preference for Michael Jackson songs, to the random rappers, a capella oldies singers, classical musicians, etc., a ride on the trains means free entertainment, whether it's wanted or not.

So what are your thoughts on subway musicians/entertainers?  Are they a welcome addition to an otherwise dreary subway ride?  Are they an all around annoyance that makes you wish for earplugs? Or does it depend on the type of mood you happen to be in that day?

To Edit or Not To Edit

I finally caved and bought Photoshop.  I know that as photographers/amateur photographers, we should be well versed in any kind of program that will make our photography better.  I was always opposed to editing my photos.  I felt that if there was something in them that ruined the photo, I would rather get rid of the photo rather than alter it and remove the object.  I would just try to get a better photo next time.  I think my being opposed to editing was brought on by seeing overly edited photos.  It was almost like seeing a completely different photo than whatever it was that originally caught the photographer's eye.

All of this changed for me when I was out taking photos in the Bronx.  I went to so many places in the Bronx the week that this picture was taken, but I'm almost positive it was in Woodlawn.  I was walking down the street and walked past a cemetery.  After a while, I passed by a beautiful house which I could only assume was the caretaker's house.  I took this picture across the street, right by a gas station.

An absolutely gorgeous house ruined by an ugly yellow pole.  Since I had never really edited my photos in any major way, I never had the need for Photoshop, but as the days passed by, it started to gnaw at me.  That ugly pole looked so out of place.  So today I finally gave in and bought Photoshop Elements 12.  This is the result:

I think it looks much better.  I also removed the sign that was hanging on the gate.  Now I'm not saying that this is a good Photoshop by any means, but I'd say that for my first time doing this kind of editing, that it isn't bad.  I like how now when I see this picture, I focus on the house rather than the other distracting elements.  I still don't want to do any major edits on my photos, but a little fine tuning here and there doesn't hurt.

What are your feelings on editing photos?  Do you do some corrections here and there or are you opposed to editing in any form?

Consistency in Photography

I read a lot of photography blogs, and something that has come up on a few of them has been the need to be consistent in your photography.  I read one blog where the author said they don't like when they see a mix of black and white and color.  Another gripe was the mixing of street photography with the odd landscape shot.  While I can understand disagreeing with mixing street and landscape shots, even though I personally like to see a variety of photos, the dislike of mixing color with black and white confused me.

Sometimes a picture will look better in black and white and sometimes it will look better in color. Should a photographer miss out on good shots because it doesn't fit their usual style?  Doesn't that limit a person's creativity?  Or if they normally shoot in black and white, should they just blindly make everything black and white, even if color would make the shot more interesting?

I normally prefer my photos to be in color but every now and again I will mix it up a bit.  Take this shot for instance.  It would have looked nice in color, but I felt the black and white just added something.

The next day I was walking through Union Square in Manhattan and I saw the chess players.  I snapped this shot, but I left it in color.  I felt that the yellow of the school bus and the different colors of the children's clothes would not be as interesting in black and white.  

Personally, whenever I'm looking through someone's Flickr stream and I see pictures that are all basically the same, I click out.  For instance, if the pictures are close ups of people's faces, and you have hundreds of pictures of people's faces, they all start to look the same after a while.  It's a case of "Seen one.  Seen them all."  There is no variation that makes me want to continue looking at your photos.  I'm not saying one way of photography is the correct way.  Art truly is subjective.  Maybe someone likes looking at pictures that are just close ups of faces, or just black and white, or just color or whatever.  I just get confused when people say that you should either only shoot black and white, or only color, etc.  To me, photography is about what moves you.  What motivated you to take a picture that day?  I personally am a street photographer who prefers most of my shots to be in color, but every now and again I'll throw in a black and white shot or a random landscape.  Like this shot:

I love this shot.  I currently live in NYC, but I am just not down for living in a place where you can't even move without bumping into someone, where the noise never stops and where you can't just stop for a minute and breathe.  I took this shot yesterday when I was walking around in the Bronx. I've never been to the Bronx, but I had some free time yesterday and decided to take the 4 train to the very last stop.  Fine, the Bronx isn't exactly some isolated spot in the middle of nowhere, but it was definitely less intense than Manhattan.  I loved it as soon as I stepped off the train.  This is the kind of spot where I'd just relax and read and be able to spend hours just zoning out.  This spot was so beautiful that I had to photograph it, even though it's not the kind of shot I normally take, like this photo:

There is a variety in my shots and that is how I feel comfortable.  That doesn't mean that my way is right, but it doesn't mean that it is wrong either.  At the end of the day, photography is a creative outlet and however one chooses to express that creativity is the correct way for them.  I have to have a camera with me at all times.  The one time that I forgot to take my camera with me, I was so annoyed because I saw three amazing shots that I missed.  I don't get the same feeling of happiness that I do when I'm photographing what I see.  My mind is always wandering to "this would be a great shot", whether it's when I'm on the bus, or when I'm working at some desk job.  To me, photography is a way to document the present and leave a piece of it behind when we are all long gone.

Liquor Store Incident

A few days ago when I was out trying to get some good street shots, I walked down this one block that was partially closed off for construction.  There was a liquor store down this particular block and a guy just standing outside the store.  I was already weary because as I stated when I posted this on my Flickr page, I don't have anything against people who go to liquor stores.  However, when you hang out at the liquor store, and in the daytime no less, you've got some problems.

As soon as the guy spots me and my camera, he starts with the stupid remarks.  "Oh, yeah.  Paparazzi.  Paparazzi."  I ignore him and keep walking.  As I pass him, he says to my back "I love you.".  That does it.  Few things in this world piss me off more than douchebags who insist on "giving compliments" and flirting like sleazeballs.  I turn around and say "Excuse me?"  He says "What?  I was talking to her" pointing to a woman who just happened to walk by.  "Why would I talk to you?  You're ugly."  (Yeah, I'm heartbroken that some drunk loser thinks I'm ugly.)  I aim my camera at him, and he does the following gestures.  I made a collage, complete with a full on face shot of the douche.

In between flipping the bird, he kept saying "Put this on Facebook!  Put this on Facebook!".  Thank you.  I did.  My only regret is that I wasn't able to get a video.  The sidewalk was narrow on account of half of it being blocked off and I didn't want to be the jerk who was preventing people from being able to get by.

Graffiti Project

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am starting a graffiti project.  I've been working on it for almost a month and so far I have walked around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Just from what I've seen so far, I have to say that I've found more interesting graffiti/street art in Brooklyn, but that's just a personal preference.  As someone who was born, and spent the first seventeen years of my life, in Brooklyn, it holds a special place in my heart.  Most of these pictures from Brooklyn were taken around the Williamsburg Bridge area.

Near Williamsburg Bridge.  Sometimes the things people write are just as interesting as the things they paint.

Taken in Brooklyn.  This is definitely one of the more colorful examples of street art that I've seen.

Taken on the Lower East Side 

It seems that I am drawn to colorful skeletons and apparently I am drawn to the work of this particular artist.  I noticed that the name by the skeleton was Bradley Theodore, and it sounded familiar to me, so when I got home I checked some of the photos in my "graffiti/street art" folder and I came across this photo:

 Funnily enough, it was in my last post.  His work is so eye catching.  I wonder when I'll happen to come across some of his art again?  When I was looking up the artist, I found that this is actually a mural near L'asso Pizzeria on Kenmare and Mott streets.  As a New Yorker, I am all about pizza, so I might have to drop in there next time I'm in the neighborhood.

Stuck in a Rut

As much as I love photography, there are times when I just get stuck in a rut.  I always seem to walk the same routes and it does get a bit tedious after a while.  Sometimes it just feels like you've photographed every thing there is to photograph.  There are a few different ways that I like to handle this problem.  One way is to just snap pictures of anything.  Lots of times, you'll think that you've gotten absolutely nothing of interest, and then when you get home and put the pictures on your computer, you'll see that you've come home with a few keepers. Some of my favorite shots were snapped when I either wasn't going for them, or when I was going for something completely different.  Take for instance, this shot:

The light was changing, so I had just changed my camera settings and was about to take a test shot when this father and daughter happened to walk in front of me.  As I was waiting for them to pass, I noticed that they were dressed alike, and I thought that they looked so cute walking down the street that I took a picture of them.

Another way that I combat the blues is to go out with a specific idea in mind.  At first, I thought this seemed to be kind of limiting.  I mean, how could you possibly get good shots if you were only shooting a specific subject, right?  Well, my very first time using this method helped me get some pretty good shots.  Walking around NYC, you see graffiti all over the place, but it is such a part of the landscape that you don't really notice it.  Every once in a while, you'll see something funny, but for the most part, you see it without really seeing it, if you know what I mean.  I decided to work on a graffiti project.  Here are some of the shots that I've gotten in the past few weeks.

If anyone knows exactly where this is, I'd love to know.  I was walking around Soho and then I wound up here.  I'm not the greatest at directions, and when I'm out walking and "zoning out" as I like to refer to it, I never notice street signs.  I had another picture without the woman walking in front of it, but I liked this one better.

This was taken in Soho near Mercer St.  I wanted a picture of the wall, but a group of tourists was there for almost five minutes, taking multiple shots (with only one person, a few people, different poses, etc.).  Then, the man with the jacket comes along and takes their picture, so I take a picture of all of them.

Taken while walking along the Lower East Side.

Another shot taken while walking along the Lower East Side

Return of the Chinatown Singer

I decided to go back to Chinatown because during my wanderings, I passed by a bakery that had some amazing looking desserts.  (The Audrey Bakery and Cafe at 12 Chatham Square in case anyone is interested.)  As I was walking out of the bakery, I step to the side to turn my camera back on, when all of a sudden, I hear a familiar loud singing.  I think to myself "No way it's the same guy", but as I turn towards the sound, I see that it is indeed the man himself.  Here he is, in all his singing glory.

  

I was told when I posted this video on my Flickr page, that he was singing in a dialect called Toi San and that he was singing about wandering around and searching for something to eat. I was tempted to go back to Chinatown the next day and see if I could run into him again.  

Since this was last week during those icy cold days, I took very few shots before my numb fingers and toes forced me to go back home.  The majority of them did not make the cut, but then again, even on a day with good weather that is usually the case.

I was going for a shot of the man, but as usual, I hesitated too long and the woman turned around and caught me, but I actually like this shot.  I think it's because the woman has that something that makes an interesting photo.  The leather cap on top of her red hair is, in my opinion, a better shot than it would be if I had gotten the shot that I had originally wanted.

Black and white shot of the crowd crossing the street in Chinatown.

Wandering Around Chambers St. and Chinatown

I've been getting into a rut lately because I always walk the same streets when I go out, so I decided to walk to Chambers St. and around Chinatown, with no particular shots in mind.  I usually shoot that way, but normally I just walk and walk and if I see something interesting, I'll stop and get the shot.  Today I decided to walk one or two blocks and then stop for 5-10 minutes to see if anything interesting would happen.

I spotted this guy's hat from a block away.  It's so bright and eye catching and when I saw him I thought of how when you walk in the woods during hunting season you're supposed to wear bright clothing (usually orange from what I hear) so that you won't be mistaken for a deer or any other animal.  I've been seeing a lot of people walking around in bright neon colors like orange or pink.

Then when I was walking around Chinatown, near Catherine street, I kept hearing some guy behind me singing at the top of his lungs.  I tried to ignore him, but he was so loud that eventually I turned around to see what was going on.  When I turned around, I see this guy singing loudly and staring right at me.  I quickly turned my camera to video mode and got about 30 seconds of his performance.

I didn't get too many good shots that day, but I felt that the video made up for the lack of photos. I'm definitely glad that the weather is warming up and that the days are getting longer.  Longer hours, better weather and more people in the streets.

Wanderings

This weather has been really depressing.  The cold makes it difficult to stay outside for too long. Last week it wasn't too terrible outside, so I did manage to snap a few interesting things.

I used to love winter and I couldn't wait for it to roll back around again.  The past few years, I have slowly started to enjoy the other seasons.  With all the layering that we have to do in the winter, it's no wonder people have aches and pains.  I know that when I get ready to go out, my neck is hurting before I even leave the house because all the layers are restricting my movements.  I like this shot because normally, the people are the ones in the colorful outfits and the walls are drab looking and this is the opposite of what you normally see.  I found this to be an interesting twist on things.

Speaking of opposites, this was taken on the same day as the picture above.  I know that we're all anxious for warmer weather and when we get a day that isn't as cold as the rest, we get tempted to rush things, but this is how you get sick.  It wasn't so nice outside that you could strut your stuff down the street, half dressed, or undressed depending on how you look at it.

This was also taken last week.  I love this shot because I wasn't even looking for it.  I had just changed the settings on my camera and was about to take a test shot when this father and daughter happened to walk ahead of me.  At first I was going to wait until they had passed, but then I noticed how adorable they looked together.  I titled this one "Mini Me".  Every little girl is a daddy's girl and it's even cuter when they are dressed alike.

Big Exciting News

I am excited to say that I was interview for issue VII of Inspired Eye magazine.

When I was first contacted by Don Springer about being interviewed for Inspired Eye, I was very flattered.  It's always flattering to know that your work is enjoyed by others.  I've been doing street photography on and off for years, but only within the past year and a half or so have I started to take it up seriously.  Photography for me is a creative outlet.  Something that I genuinely enjoy doing and that I can get lost in doing for hours and hours.  I had a blast during the whole interview.  If only interviews for office jobs could be as enjoyable, right?

Waiting For The Bus

I was recently in Michigan visiting family and while I was there, I got used to getting in a truck and going where I needed to go.  I didn't even really notice the snow or the cold because I was only outside for as long as it took for me to get in the truck.  Coming back to NYC has always been sad for me because you get used to the calm and quiet and then have to come back to the hustle and bustle.  Because I hadn't been able to take pictures while I was there, since the sidewalks weren't shoveled, I decided to cheer myself up by getting back to doing what I love.  

The weather was crisp and cool, but not bitter cold on this day.  I snapped this picture because it made me laugh since it was one of the things that I was in a funk about.  I wonder how long these people had been waiting for the bus?  

Abandoned Building

I love abandoned buildings.  Even though this one is closed out, boarded up and has graffiti all over it, it still has so much character.  I love buildings like this because ever though, at first glance, they look ugly and dilapidated, the more you stare at it, you realize that it's beautiful because it's so imperfect.

Creative Little Garden

The weather didn't seem so bad when I first set out today, but after a few minutes I really started to feel the chill in the air, despite being well bundled.  I hadn't been out to take pictures in a few days and I was starting to feel antsy.  After a few hours of shooting, I decided to head back home and on my way I found this gem of a place.

The place is called "Creative Little Garden" and it is located on 6th st. between avenues A and B in Manhattan.  I'm a sucker for anything Christmas related and there was a Christmas tree with a train set on some tracks around it at at the entrance to the garden.  It was fairly small but very peaceful.  As cold as I was, I couldn't resist walking around for a while.  There were a few bird baths/feeders around the garden along with benches at the front and back for those who wanted to sit.  There were also random, cool decorations such as this:

All in all, I consider today successful.  I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked, but I found this place so I'm happy.