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As someone who lives and walks this city daily…my blog is all about delving a little deeper, seeing what it has to offer, and capturing the true essence of New York City. Whether you live in Gotham, or just visiting…feel free to look around my blog. Bet you might find something new to do!
P.S. As of the end of April 2013 my more personal postings will now be at The Next Few Years.
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Category Archives: 52 Photo Projects
rain room at MoMA
Dancin’ in the rain, but stayin’ dry?
Well…it is possible in the Rain Room at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). A 5,000 square-foot installation with a complex system of motion detectors creating a field of falling water that stops when you walk through, allowing you to stay dry. (Unless of course you decide to run through the exhibit and that’s a different story. So move slowly.)
Only ten people are allowed at a time, so after experiencing it…doubtful if I’d wait hours to experience this exhibit. But, certainly worth the visit if you have the time and the lines are short. Open through July 28th.
The prompt this week for Bella’s 52 Photos Project is waterdrops. Couldn’t think of a better interpretation than some captures from the Rain Room!
Also posted in Events, Museums
Tagged 52 Photos Project, MoMa, Museum of Modern Art, Rain Room
5 Comments
sunday in brooklyn
Heading to the subway for a trip to the Brooklyn flea market, this little cutie came bouncing across Broadway with the biggest smile that made a great start to my day! Couldn’t understand a word he said…but he was thrilled to have his picture taken. Now is he adorable or what?
This sign on the L train heading to Brooklyn was the second greatest start of my day! Now isn’t there so much truth in this statement!
Now the Brooklyn Flea. Oh my…so much to share with you! Prior to going, I’d read that The New York Times called the Flea “One of the great urban experiences in New York!” So true!
Oh how I love flea markets and this one tops the list for me. So much artistic local talent amongst so many vintage collectables brought in by hundreds of local and regional vendors overlooking the East river with views of Manhattan.
See these little Macanudo boxes? The perfect size for holding polaroids!
Could it get any more perfect? Yes, the food quality from these vendors will blow your mind. The bao from Big BAO will just melt in your mouth – no chewing needed! (I even dreamed about them last night.) The pork sandwich from Porchetta will awaken the taste buds with their seasonings of aromatic herbs, spices, garlic, sage, rosemary and wild fennel pollen. And then to end the visit with some tastes from the baked goodies from Smore Bakery. It doesn’t get any better!
But wait! There’s more! Just up the street from the flea market is Artists & Fleas. Next trip I’ll spend more time there and post about it in the future. OMG. There is no doubt that my future Sundays will now be filled with excursions to Williamsburg in Brooklyn! Oh how I love the vibe in this neighborhood!
(Bella’s 52 photos project has started a new year and this week the prompt was conversation. I’d have to say my little smiling friend at the top of my post was my favorite for this topic!)
Also posted in Brooklyn, Eating, Drinking, Markets
Tagged Artists & Fleas, Big BAO, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Flea Market, manhattan, NYC, Porchetta, Smore Bakery, Williamsburg
7 Comments
paul strand
a palm frond in the backyard
If you’re not into photography you may have never heard of Paul Strand, but this man helped establish photography as a legitimate art form in the 20th century. That’s pretty impressive. And so much so that I was eager to watch John Walker’s documentary: Strand, Under the Dark Cloth. Passionately devoted to humanity, back in 1917 Strand said, “if one were to use photography honestly, he must have a real respect for the thing in front of him.” Oh, how true.
When I first viewed his work it was his soft focus or his “fuzzy Romanticism” that caught my attention. But it was watching this documentary that I enjoyed seeing the transition in his work over the years. Walker provided plenty of Strand’s most famous photographs, film clips and incredible interviews with friends and collaborators.
As photographers we can all learn from the masters…and the importance of having that “respect for the thing in front of us” and capturing the unusual from the usual.
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Bella’s 52 Photos Project this weeks calls for a black and white conversion!
Also posted in Photography
Tagged 52 Photos Project, Bella, John Walker, Paul Strand, Strand under the Dark Cloth
9 Comments
another new beginning?
Joining Bella this week in the 52 photos project prompt. I’ve been MIA for a while so it’s nice to be back with this group and challenged with a photo prompt for the week. This week is a doozy of a prompt. In her words…”it’s all about embracing and recognizing how each moment is a new one. It’s a place we’ve never been, it’s something we’ve never tried…it’s about attempting ~ beginning ~ savoring the right here and now.” Thank goodness she said the theme is wide open for interpretation!
While reviewing a few of my captures from this past week, this one spoke to me and jumped out as a possibility. The more I studied it, the more it seemed to fit. With the reflection on the water so clear and sharp, perhaps this represents what is known and what is being experienced and savored at this very moment? And the out of focus and the softness of the lily pads is perhaps what is unknown, representing something that’s out there, undiscovered and hasn’t yet arrived or come true? Another new beginning?
What do you think?
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And on a side note…for all of those that say the Sonoran desert is all ugly, brown and dead…well I’m here to prove them wrong. North of Phoenix Arizona, in the middle of a desert preserve adjacent to the Tonto National Forest is a small refugia of native fish, leopard frogs as well as riparian flora. I so love that they have a hidden camera to record the wildlife that drops by for a drink of water. Mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, javelina, coyotes…to name a few!
Also posted in Arizona
Tagged 52 Photos Project, Arizona, Bella, Phoenix, sonoran desert, Tonto National Forest
15 Comments
cafe ‘t smalle
cafe ‘t smalle
As the temperatures begin to drop…my mind drifts back to a cozy candlelit 1780′s pub in Amsterdam…
This week’s prompt for Bella’s 52 Photos Project is all about illumination…
I think this place nailed it…
wanting more…
Wow. Can’t believe it has been over three years since my photography journey began…and still it seems every day is just the beginning. The beginning of wanting more. To move outside the conventional approach of photography of just capturing subject matter. As authors Andy Karr and Michael Wood so eloquently state in their book, The Practice of Contemplative Photography…conventional photography is like a butterfly collector looking for another specimen to add to his or her collection. Don’t get me wrong. I’ll still add more butterflies to my collection because this is part of the learning process, plus I enjoy it! But I’m ready (and want) to learn more.
That’s where Miksang comes into the picture. Miksang is a Tibetan word meaning “good eye” and represents a form of contemplative photography based on the Dharma Art teachings of Chögyam Trungpa, in which the eye is in synchronization with the contemplative mind. Hmm…got that? Well I want to better understand it, so I’m heading off to a three day Miksang training workshop here in the city. It begins tonight and runs through the weekend up until Monday night.
I’ll look forward to sharing the experience with you over the next few days! Happy Weekend!
P.S. Thrilled to have one of my photos showcased in the 52 Photos Project’s Artist Spotlight this week! Thanks Bella!
Also posted in Photography
Tagged 52 Photos Project, Andy Karr, Bella, Michael Wood, Miksang, The Practice of Contemplative Photography
21 Comments
a source of inspiration…
magic on columbus ave. nyc
A new neighbor appeared only four blocks from where i live. Boy am i in so much trouble. A fan of Paper Source for a long time, imagine my delight when this store opened in the neighborhood. But prior to their opening the location was the former home of Therapie, an adorable boutique with treasures from all over the world. For over eight years everything was hand-picked for its quality and charm, but yes…the landlord got greedy and Therapie went bye-bye. If there was any store that could help raise my spirits from the loss of Therapie…that would be Paper Source!
Walking by Paper Source this week there were subtle changes that reminded me that the beginning of autumn is definitely here…the afternoon light casting shadows, the hint of yellow in the leaves, the Halloween decorations in the store windows. And how appropriate that this week Bella’s 52 photos project is to notice the changes happening around us and to capture that magic!
Welcome to autumn…i just love that word!
P.S…i understand Paper Source recently arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona too! Yeah…happy camper!
Tagged 52 Photos Project, Arizona, Bella, Columbus Avenue, NYC, Paper Source, Scottsdale, Therapie
11 Comments
seein’ double
view from the farm
Looking out over the farm and the Roanoke Valley…
Time stood still as I soaked in the moments of this precious gift…
A symbol of transformation…
This week Bella’s 52 photos project has us paying attention to doorways…this double rainbow symbolizing transformation seems the perfect fit to me!
Also posted in Virginia
Tagged 52 Photos Project, double rainbow, farm, rainbow, Roanoke, Roanoke Valley
16 Comments
summer in the city – let’s hit the streets!
summer streets 2012
Nothing screams Summer in the City than Summer Streets in NYC! Always look forward to August, as three consecutive Saturdays with nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to play, walk, and bike beginning on Park Avenue as far north as Central Park down south to the Brooklyn Bridge entrance. One huge block party with people watching galore!
Chatted with these fellas who were walking to the court house to get married! How cool is that?
Yep, people watching at its finest…these guys were looking quite dapper on their morning stroll!
Good times and the day was BEAUTIFUL! Enjoy the weekend!
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Perfect timing for Bella’s 52 Photos Project this week! Her theme…On the Streets!
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Also posted in Summer in the City
Tagged 52 Photos Project, Bella Cirovic, central park, NYC, Park Avenue, Summer in the City, Summer Streets
21 Comments
summer in the city – a gift
Nothing like celebrating summer in the city…
than a photography walk on a hot humid day with texture galore!
This week Bella’s 52 Photos Project prompt is gift. When I think of the word gift the first thought that comes to mind is a material one…but really to me every day is a gift. The gift of being able to photograph, to enjoy the everyday of life. So so fortunate!
