Street Photography – Page 14

Documenting My Travels

In all honesty, I never imagined a time when I’d be using my cel phone to take pictures depicting the commuters being inconsiderate pigs, but riding the PATH train and or the Subway daily can flat out make you lose faith in the human race.

However, as I get older and a bit more jaded. I can’t help but want to become a farmer or limit my interactions to dogs and squirrels. In recent weeks I’ve taken to using my phone to capture and maybe even bring attention to some of the people who continually make me want to gouge my eyes out. This image was taken just before rush hour on a train car that could be described as “Standing Room Only”. This rather up class lady made herself comfortable providing a seat for herself and her baggage. There was an elderly lady standing nearby and looking on curiously. I got up and offered her my seat which she gladly accepted and thanked me for. The lady in the picture was so involved with her phone. She never bothered to even look up. So in to my hall of shame you go. Enjoy your time in the spotlight.

The Setting Sun

Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Documentary, Industrial Photography, Jersey City, Street Photography

Living in Hoboken for a good ten years. My lazy, nothing ever happens before coffee, ass managed to capture just a handful of sunrises. That said, the sun coming up over Manhattan is a sight worth capturing again, again and again. Since moving to Jersey City however, I’ve come to appreciate sunsets in new and endlessly creative ways. In my first weeks and months here. I would climb up on the construction side of RT. 139, 9 and the Pulaski Bridge to watch the sun set over the nearby Kearny factories. It was, in a sense, the start of my daily meditation ritual. My moment to breathe and release the days stress and anxiety. After a long winter with very little sun to rise or set. During those dark days, I promised myself not to take for granted the little things that make life worth living. So tonight I took a long walk west on Newark Ave. towards the setting sun. Despite the endless string of automobiles noisily passing from both directions. I felt a sense of peace and solitude. Along the way I found some new angles and vantage points to capture the sunrise. And while it’s hard to avoid taking the same picture over and over. I’ve got plenty of time to try new things. Keep chasin’.

“Hope Springs Eternal”

Jersey City, Philosophy, Street Photography

It was a beautiful Sunday. So my wife and I decided to get out early and head to Manhattan for some vegetarian Dim Sum. It was the first 60 degree day we’ve experienced in what’s felt like years and there was no way it was going to be misspent. Our usual walk to the Journal Square PATH train involves my complaining about how the neighboring homes take little to no effort to maintain their homes or follow even the most basic sanitation standards. (Par for the course when you’re an old curmudgeon like me.) As we turned the corner on to Newark Ave. We both lamented the fact that it had been so long since we took advantage of the areas bountiful Indian cuisine. Promising, “This Summer we’ll sample each and every one of restaurants offered to us.” As the long, punishing and somewhat endless Winter has finally shown signs of old age. Seeing colors, anything not gray for that matter, seems promising. So when I saw this display adorning one of the local restaurants. I knew I had to stop and document it. Like Alexander Pope said, “Hope Springs Eternal.”

Birds on a Wire.

Exploring, Jersey City, Street Photography

On a courageous Sunday afternoon I convinced my wife to put some pants on, brave the cold and drive ten minutes to our favorite Mexican restaurant Los Tres Chilitos for breakfast. As we approached the red light at Central Avenue. I spotted a gathering of pigeons on the telephone pole above us. Not having many opportunities lately to snap a worthy picture. I grabbed my camera and to my wife’s dismay, quickly evacuated the vehicle. After a few shots I managed to catch up to the car, find a parking spot and enjoy a delicious plate of rancheros huevos and authentic Mexican coffee. Not bad for another lazy Sunday. BTW, here’s my review of Los Tres Chilitos below. I highly recommend a visit.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/los-tres-chilitos-jersey-city?hrid=4iYEch8muoE5EJK6fIP_-Q

Something Different

NYC, Street Photography, Uncategorized

Each year, as the Christmas holiday approaches. The thought of doing something a little different comes to mind. While I have no issues in sitting around a tree watching football and unwrapping gift cards while waiting for the tofurky to roast to perfection. The urge of getting out and doing something a little different often calls.

In recent years, my wife and I have made a habit of trying new things. While recent Christmas holidays have taken us to various exotic locations such as Tokyo, Atlantic City and Harlem. This year had us looking for something as close to home as possible. So with thoughts of vegan dim sum and vegetarian duck serving as our personal GPS. We headed to Chinatown to celebrate and be celebratory. For as long as I can remember having feet. Mott St. has been a favorite spot of mine. And while the area has become a major dumping ground for tourists. I can still respect it’s culture and historic significance. Visiting the buddhist center and spending time in Columbus Park always keep me inspired. While chowing down on vegetarian dim sum at Buddha Bodai is about the best way to enjoy a healthy, yet delicious feat. While I love the draw of family and holiday traditions. I feel a certain sense of reward in creating a few of my own.

What Would You Do?

Street Photography

I had about an hour to kill before my doctors appointment and decided to take the time to take some street portraits with the new Canon 85 mm lens I had purchased the week before. As I moved from the Herald Square area towards the Fashion District just a block away on 7th. The climate quickly became more toxic. Before I knew it, I was caught up in what was obviously a pimp schooling one his ladies on the rules of the game. His aggressive and threatening attitude made an immediate impact on me. As I reached for my phone, I was quickly reminded that I had left it at home. I searched to my left and to my right but there was not one police officer in sight. I motioned to the store owner watching the scene unfold and lipped “Call 911”. Though I was filled with anger at the time. I knew that stepping in would probably make things much worse for myself, and in particular, the woman.

So instead, I did what I felt was the next best thing. I took my camera back out of it’s bag and snapped a few images to show the police if they so decided to ever show up. Minutes later, I finally saw an officer around the corner huddled inside the door of Citibank. He looked incredibly busy with his head down towards his iPhone, testing like a man on a mission to beat the record for time spent glued to the phone. I wanted to interrupt him to remind him of his actual job, but I somehow worried that it would get me the same beating that prostitute had surely gotten on a fairly regular basis.