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All American

P-Town 4th

I'm celebrating my first day of retirement on Independence Day. How congruent is that?

CHIHULY @ NY Botanical Gardens 4

Many of the pieces in the Hauptman Observatory were created to match the colors of the surrounding flora; like in the 4th shot. The attention to this details is as amazing as the work. It was very easy to walk past some of them as they blend in or your eye is caught by a more obvious piece. I wonder if it was as evident as his exhibition in St. Louis.

CHIHULY @ NY Botanical Gardens 3

Located near the entrance to the rose garden is this blue alien landscape.

CHIHULY @ NY Botanical Gardens 2

These beautiful pieces were featured in the Botanical Garden's greenhouse. You could almost swear they were growing. The sharp contrast between the insides and out are difficult to capture. Live viewing is a must.

CHIHULY @ NY Botanical Gardens

The New York Botanical Gardens is hosting Chihuly's Gardens and Glass from June 25 to Octobr 25. Dale Chihuly is a glass artist... too simple a term to describe the magnificent pieces integrated into the Gardens. It may not be on a scale of The Gates but it should not be missed. These shots are of some of his out door exhibits. More to come.

4th of July

It was my first time venturing into Manhattan on the 4th to witness the fireworks off the FDR Drive. I always thought it would be a Times Square New Years type of event but it was quite the opposite. On a beatiful night a good time was had by all.

NYC Photoblogger 7

Heavy rains did nothing to dampen the mood of NYC Photoblogger 7. Jay Parkinson, Kevin Walsh, Ed Leveckis, Matt Weber and Justin Ouellette formed one of the most talented panels presenting at the Soho Apple, to date. Amit Gupta provided a very entertaining presentation as he explained his photography site.

David Blaine @ Lincoln

David Blaine often uses NYC as the backdrop of some of his Magic. This time he promises to live in this fishbowl for 8 days and then complete and escape from 150 lbs. of chains while breaking the 8 minute record for holding one's breath. It might not be on the scale of The Gates buts its definitely a fun happening in the Big Apple.

NYC Photobloggers 6

It was another smashing success at the SoHo Apple store Friday night.  Jake did an excellent job hosting and the presenters were informative and more entertaining than usual.  The question of the night was "What was your most harrowing experience as far as being hassled as a street photographer?".  The answers ranged from being kidnapped to the "if looks could kill" variety.  There was plenty of lively discussion about it at the Merc bar afterwards.  Corrie and Lex provided great insight into developing a project. Joe Holmes provided us with glimpses into his passions. Noah Kalina showcased NYC's restaurant interiors.  Tod Seelie exposed some of the more unusual party scenes and events of Brooklyn.  Jimmie Yoo uncliche'd some of NYC's night shot and Reza Mazaheri treated us to his insightful portraits and wry wit.

Expo Day

Saturday was a pretty miserable day to be out, so it was great to get to the Javits Center and check out the PhotoPlus Expo. I didn't see any revolutionary stuff that's going to change photography much in the near future but it was cool to check out all the vendors. Nikon and Adobe had excellent seminars. Apple's Aperture presentation was excellent and in typical Mac way seemed to be a more natural and logical program for working with images. We'll see what the expert say, as far as the math behind the adjustments are concerned. Along with all the vendors there were some inspiring photographers showing and speaking about their art. David Alan Harvey was especially compelling. He may not look like your typical high end shooter but his basic technique and gorilla style reminds me of our photoblogging community. Which reminds me, there was almost nothing specifically aimed at the photoblogging community. We're an after thought to most program and product manufacturers.

NYC Photobloggers 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Friday was NYC Photobloggers 5 at the Apple Store in Soho.  As usual Jake did his bang up job of hosting the event,  along with Jen Bekman it made for a memorable evening. Work flows and photographic processes were discussed by Sean Sheridan, Marcin Wojcik, Frank Kolodziej and Dave Martinidez.   Lia Bulaong's presentation probably stirred a little envy in the throng and wondering when her next project will take place. Masood Kanmandy's presentation was nothing short of inspiring and I think I'll make a special effort to go to First Light: Teaching Photograph in Kabul exhibition and fund raiser.

 

Hiroshima Nagasaki Memorial 2

The Silent Walk was punctuated by the ringing or the Gong on every block between 105 St and 120th street where the walk ended at the Interfaith Church.  Live music plus Dances and messages from Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors were the gist of the Peace Day Memorial.  Some more coverage of the days event can be seen at Now Public.

Hiroshima Nagasaki Memorial

The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima August 6, 1945 at 8:15 am which was about 7:15 pm New York time.  60 years later The New York Buddhist Temple held an Interfaith Peace gathering with Gong Ceremony and Silent Walk to comemorate the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombing.  Chants and prayers for peace were offered as well as a Thousand Paper Cranes on Universal Peace Day.

Lunar Gates

My first post of the Gates was at the Harlem Meers, so its only fitting that I end it there. I was fortunate enough to be there as the full Moon rose offering a gentle glow in the darkest corner of the park. Perfect for the throngs of people that took advantage of this once in a lifetime event to soak it all in around the clock. It seemed that the Park hadn't seen this much traffic since the sixties when the old Schaeffer Concerts at Wollman Memorial Rink would draw thousands to the park. The party would continue long into the night and spread throughout the park.

Sunset Gates

My beloved made a special trip to the city from Kingston to view the Christo extravaganza in Central Park.  This is my next to last post on the Gates.  I promise.

Early Gates

I took these shots on Saturday.  It waswindy and frigid, and seemed even more so after a week of 50 degrees.   Early morning seems reserved for the canines.  Sunrise light really bounces off the saffron in different shades.  Sorry I missed the snow in NYC this weekend.

Late Gates

Last night I joined a small group of photographers in Central Park for a little shooting party. It was a lot of fun. I usually work best alone but its different when the other people are also photographers. Anyway thanks to Bluejake for thinking up the project and leading the way. Some of the other photographers there, Youngna, Matt Law, tangentialism and Grumpmonk.

Pre-Gate

Tommorrow is the unveiling or should I say unfurling of The Gates.  NYC photobloggers will be all over this for the next couple of weeks and I'll be right in there with them.  I went there tonight (just as the sun set) to catch a glimpse before they're unfurled.  It is an impressive sight as is.  Can't wait.

Back to Soho

After not posting for a while and going through withdrawls, I was happy to see a photoblogger gathering scheduled for the Apple store in Soho for a Paul Shambroom Event. Professional Photographers and journalist were in attendance and answered questions after some presentations by Shambroom and the Photobloggers (Jake, Eliot, Rion and Mike). It was a lively discussion on the effects that photography has in shaping or changing political opinions. And to answer the questions posed on Blujake I say yes,plenty, and no. Some one said we were "Watchers of the Gatekeepers". I like that. I might have to use that title. Leaving the post event reception at the Merc Bar I found this parking alley running south from Prince St just west of Broome.

Rosendale Cafe

It was my pleasure to attend a Francesca Tanksley Trio performance at the Rosendale Cafe in Rosendale, NY. Her powerful performace ran me through an emotional rollercoaster that thrilled and mesmerized me. She was joined by the great Reggie Workman and Aaron Scott. I loved being at this tiny cafe in upstate NY, listening to world class Jazz. It reminded me of how the Village use to be when for $5 you could sit an arms length away from stars such as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Sun Ra, Thelonius Monk. The propietor of the Rosendale is Mark Morganstern and the range of music that he invites to play at his cafe (jazz, folk, bluegrass, ethnic) is as varied as the delicious vegetarian dishes that are served there. A must when traveling through the Hudson Valley.

Photobloggers 2

I can't believe that 5 months have passed since the last Photobloggers event in May. It was great to meet face to face with the authors of joe's nyc Joe Holmes, lauratitian Laura Holder, Lightningfield Dave Gallagher, meccapixel Michael Constentino, 144st.net Chris Glenn, dirtdirt Christopher Strangland and overshadowed Keith Kin Yan.

I would like to thank Rion and Jake for inviting me to do a presentation. I got a lot of positive feedback there and it was nice to meet and greet some of the people who have been visiting metroplus. The number of which has increased 10 fold since my name appeared on the Photobloggers 2 banner. I mentioned some other NYCentric photoblogs that I visit daily, during my presentation, but haven't had time to add to my favorites list on the left. They are chromasia, manyhighways.com, La Madrugada.saadiq.com, photos.grubbykid.com, and Karlo.org. All with unique visions and style.

Sunset

While working near the Westchester Correctional Facility in Valhalla the sky decided to furnish me with an awe inspiring light show. I had been feeling a little down, fighting a severe cold and hearing some tragic news about a friend. And though it didn't pick me up it did make me feel grateful and managed to clear my Dayquilled and Nyquilled ravaged brain.

Bush Night

As the RNC winds down and Bush finally gives his acceptance speech the noose around Madison Square Garden tightened exponentially. Trying to approach the area was like running an eight block guantlet. Its a shame that our proud NYPD bretheren have been transformed into military shock troops. In the name of security they react to ordinary citizens like antibodies attacking a virus. I saw squads of scooter cops swarm on groups with anti-Bush signs, surrounding them and cutting them off and then carting them away without any warning. To combat, this protesters worked alone and just kept moving along with the crowds. All the while special corridors were setup for the delegates to gain easy access to the MSG area, which I guess became a Republican pedestrian mall. Undetered, even in the face of record numbers of arrest, New Yorkers made sure their voices were heard.

For more pics Gohamist has done the work.

Peace 2

Though a lot of the media today made much of the number of arrest and or police misconduct during the RNC Protest March I found no evidence of it. I traveled from Union Square to Penn Station against the grain so to speak. Though there was some heckling from Republicans on the sideline it was mild by NY standards. I couldn't resist going to Central Park and joining the thousands of demonstrators there. As you can see the Sheeps Meadow looked like any other Sunday. The only signs of protesters were the ones on there way to the Great Meadow where a great gathering appeared. The mood was calm but there definitely was an underlying tenseness especially as Police officers meandered amongst the throng.

Of special note: I noticed that access to the Central Park Boat House was barricaded, yet the lake was filled with plenty of boaters. Could it be that Convention delegates were given special access to the Lake?

Peace

The Anti-RNC protest march was another proud moment in NYC lore. 400,000 strong marched from 14 Street and 7th Ave upto 34 Street, across to 5th Ave and back down to Union Square. The Protest was well organized and executed to perfection. A great start to what promises to be an eventful week.

Mr. and Mrs.

The ceremony was beautiful. The reception was exquisite. I was most honored to witness and bask in the Light of their Love. Congratulations!

Mohonk

I realize this is a long post but I haven't got the hang of posting additional shots of an event without making it into a photo album. I still have a lot to learn about photoblogging.

My Beloved took me to lunch at Mohonk Mountain House. Site where our nuptials took place just 3 1/2 short months ago. It is one of our favorite spots in the whole world. A few hours there, even on a cloudy day, is enough of a decompression to replenish the spirit for a week. An overnight stay is usually good for a month. Monhonk is a Victorian hotel built on a glacial lake atop of a mountain and one of NY lesser known treasures. Just two hours from Manhattan it's well worth the trip and expense. Fine food and fine service is the order of the day. Although alcohol is not forbidden, it is not promoted. So it may not be everyone's cup of tea; which is offered daily and promptly at 4 pm with cookies.

Jones Beach

It's become a annual tradition to take the last Monday in June as a vacation day and make it the first beach trip of the year. Jones Beach is our choice for this honor every year, for nostalgic and convenience reasons. It was a, mostly sunny day, but the clouds seem to know whenever I took my camera out. Trying to shoot with a mostly white sky presented quite the challenge. While the sky is bright the light off of the subjects is low and so shots come out overexposed for sky or underexposed for subjects. Photoshop helps correct some of these problems but it kind of feels like cheating.

New York Bloggers

I went to Apple Store in SoHo last night for the New York Bloggers Talk. I tried to take some shots when it was over but I was informed that pictures were not allowed. So I snuck this one on the way out. I had to try to show you some of the interior design. It's just as clean and slick as their product.

It was a packed house. The Talk was organized by Jake Dobkin. I meant to get more shots during the event, but I was too busy listening. Congrats Jake it was a rousing success. The panels ( publishing, technical and editorial) were all informative and handled all the questions by the knowledgable audience handily, with much humor and aplomb. I hope there'll be more events like this soon.