Indigo Cottage

The city takes as much out of you as it gives.. (sometimes more).  It's nice to get away from it once in a while, and go to a place where the people are friendly, the crowds are few, and the parking is free.  This time I had the privilege of living in a cottage for a few days, with family & friends, in the small town Mystic, Connecticut.  Remember the movie "Mystic Pizza"?  Yeah, that's the town.

Mob style photography

I went out to Manhattan for the first time during Manhattanhenge... and what an experience!  If you don't know what Manhattanhenge is, Google it.  I did some research on certain hot spots.. and most articles I read stated that you'd be just fine arriving a half-hour before sunset.  What a lie!  This is a picture of the Tudor City Overpass on 42nd Street, about an hour before sunset.  There was even this one guy who parked his humvee on the center of the bridge and stood on top of it (Like wtf!@#$@).  Needless to say.. I wasn't going to fight this mob.  I ended up going down to street level for some nice shots.  Overall, it was a lot of fun!

Something different

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to explore a different side of photography. Shooting with studio strobes is a whole other world; something that I am definitely not used to. Nevertheless, it is the next plateau on this journey. (Model: Michelle Marques - Location: The Art Factory, NJ)

Getting through these long nights

The nights are cold, and the streets are empty.  Standing out here with a tripod, practicing my long exposures... well, what's not to love about it?  (East Flushing, Queens)

Time Out

Walked into one of the noisiest coffee shops in Manhattan.  After placing my order I took a seat, filtered out all the sounds and escaped into my own world for just a few minutes.  I don't get to do this a lot.  It was good.. and so was the drink. (Grace Street - W. 32nd St. NYC)

Got Steam?

Yes, we definitely got that here in NYC.  The New York Steam Company began providing service in lower Manhattan in 1882, generating steam under the streets to heat high rise buildings and businesses.  I absolutely love taking a picture of this stuff. (Financial District, Manhattan)

When Day turns into Night

There is nothing in the world that attracts more photographers than sunsets.  It is known as "Golden Hour", the time of day when time seems to move a little slower because everyone just stops and stares.  But what many people fail to understand is that there is a 45 minute period of time immediately after Golden Hour known as "Blue Hour", which is just as good.. or even better in my opinion.  (Central Park, New York City)

Do you love this place?

One of the simplest shots I've ever taken.  It's the view you get on any given day, right outside of Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street.  I bet a million people pass by here each day without noticing the beauty of their surroundings.

16 Years Later

I don't do a lot of night photography, but I suppose if I'm going to do it, I should go to a place with an excellent view.  Can't beat the view over in DUMBO.  It's a photographer's paradise.  I was there on the night of 9/11, and I've never experienced anything quite like it.  Hundreds upon hundreds of photographers spread out over Brooklyn Bridge Park, all hoping to get a shot at the Tribute Lights.  I have never seen so many tripods all in one place.

Hoping to post more long-exposure night shots in the near future. (ISO250, F16, 30sec.)

Unity Strength

This is an image that has special meaning to me.  This past Labor Day we took a trip to the beach.  I went away for just a minute, and my 3 year old had already befriended two Hispanic boys.  It was so wonderful watching them play together for the next few hours.  In this photo, they are on a mission to get more water.

There is no doubt that children are very good at making friends.  And making new ones brings them so much joy.  This is certainly an attitude that so many of us have forgotten as adults.  Society gives us so many excuses and barriers to not make a friend.. whether it's race, class, religion, or whatever else that separates us.  Wouldn't the world be a different place if we could rise above all that? .  (Location: Sunken Meadow State Park)