Photo by myself around 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue.
The New York Times Tower designed by Renzo Piano looks like it's made of gleaming metal.
What you see are open screens composed of horizontal white ceramic rods. Set back from the screens is the glass facade. The screens helps shield the interior from light, to keep air conditioning costs low.
I was standing on a rooftop about 12 stories up for this photo. For an earlier view of the bottom of the tower, which includes the NY Times logo, click here.
Related posts: Soaring Above, the New York Times Tower, The Sunset View from Battery Park and The NY Times Building, in Hell's Kitchen.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Soaring Above Midtown, the New York Times Building
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Pinata Party, in Prospect Park
Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Family and friends gathered around a Spiderman pinata, Saturday afternoon. This must have been the little boy's birthday party.
I only wish I knew what was being said, but the expressions say it all. These kids could hardly wait to take their turn to wear the blindfold and swat at the pinata.
Related posts: The Carousel, Bryant Park, The Morning Commute on the N Train and It's a Kid's Life, in Brooklyn.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Seen in the 'Hood, in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo by myself at Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street, in Park Slope.
A woman selling roasted peanuts and two old timers saw me when I was trying to take a candid, Friday afternoon. Yipes!!
There are two camps in Brooklyn - the old timers who have stuck it out through the more dangerous times, and the young people and families who have moved in to be close to the city, without sacrificing space.
At times, you hear about shootings and thefts. And then there are things you don't hear about. Generally our neighborhood, Park Slope, is quite safe. Crime varies widely depending on the area. Just a few blocks can make a difference.
About ten years ago, when the real estate market heated up, apartment prices in certain Brooklyn neighborhoods skyrocketed. You routinely heard about people selling their apartment for a huge profit, after only a few years.
Generally, you can get twice the amount of space in Brooklyn for the same price as a Manhattan apartment. It's slightly slower paced out here. There are great restaurants and less stringent parking rules, so people can own cars without moving them every other day or paying for a garage.
Speaking of Brooklyn, the annual Mermaid Parade is going on in Coney Island, starting at 10 am today. People walk on the boardwalk in full costume. I doubt Mark and I will brave the crowds, but if you go, please enjoy a hot dog for us!
For more about the Mermaid parade, click here
Related posts: Last Wash, Brooklyn, Twinkly Lights at the Breslin and All A-Glow in Soho.
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Friday, June 17, 2011
Under Lamplight, in Park Slope
Photo by myself at Seventh Street and Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
You would never know it in the winter months, but in the summer, many restaurants have facades that open up directly onto the sidewalk.
Full height doors peel away and fold aside. It's hard not to peer into each restaurant as you go by. All sorts of restaurants line Fifth Avenue - Japanese, Italian, Thai and Middle Eastern, to name just a few.
Rachel's Taqueria, above, is a Mexican restaurant in Park Slope. The bikes to the right are for making deliveries.
For a look at the menu Rachel's Taqueria.
For another look at the exterior of Rachel's, click here.
Related posts: Pizza, Pizza, Twinkly Lights at the Breslin and All A-Glow in Soho.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The View Uptown from 42nd Street
Photo by myself around 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue, in Midtown.
The view north from 42nd Street on the West Side is surprisingly low key. To the right are the smaller buildings of Hell's Kitchen, a mostly residential neighborhood sprinkled with stores and restaurants.
Ahead are the two towers of Worldwide Plaza, at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The taller tower with the pyramid top is a 47-story office building. The shorter tower further back with a matching top is a 35-story condominium building.
I ventured over to Times Square, Wednesday, where I haven't been in a while. It was a madhouse.
The sidewalks were teeming with people. Visitors were posing with a statue of Samuel L. Jackson in front of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
It's hard to believe that the first time I stepped foot in Times Square, it was a scary neighborhood. There were boarded up peep show joints and the sidewalks were nearly empty.
Anyone passing through walked very fast, with their hands on their handbags. People would take care not to make eye contact with anyone, since doing so would be a minor confrontation.
Oh, how times change.
Related posts: Different Vistas, The View Atop the Whitestone Bridge and The East River, at Dusk.
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bright Lights at the Beacon Theater
Photo by myself around 74th Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.
People were hawking tickets outside the Beacon Theater on the Upper West Side, Tuesday night. The group Deep Purple, an English group from the 70s, was scheduled to play.
I've never been to the Beacon, but I know from walking by that they show lots of well-known musicians. A quick glimpse of the schedule shows KD Lang, Peter Frampton and Alicia Keys in the coming weeks.
The Beacon recently renovated its signage to use LED lights. Now the canopy scrolls through different shows in color and the lettering is BRIGHT.
Broadway is very wide in this neighborhood - two lanes of traffic and a bus lane on each side of a wide median strip. Broadway is similar in layout as Park Avenue on the Upper East Side, though the two streets have a very different vibe. Park Avenue is limited to mostly pre-war apartment buildings and there is no illuminated signage.
For a look at the Beacon's schedule, click here.
The new animated LED canopy is easily seen across Broadway.
Related posts: Only in New York, Cluttered Sidewalks in the East Village and Bright Lights at BAM.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Cans Crossing, on Sixth Avenue
Photo by myself at Sixth Avenue and 34th Street, in Midtown.
A woman pushed her cart laden with cans, the other day, waiting for the light to change.
In several US States, bottles and cans can be returned for money, about 5 cents per container. You can return the containers at certain supermarkets.
Most New Yorkers forgo the deposit and recycle the containers. Collecting cans and bottles is a way for some to squeak by with a meagre living.
Related posts: On Collecting Cans and a Rupert Update, Cluttered Sidewalks in the East Village and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Quick Game, in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
A public ping pong table is available for use in Tompkins Square Park. It's set up in cast concrete and has a metal net.
These two fellas played an intense game, Sunday afternoon.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Related posts: A Glimpse into the Orchard Corset Center, on the Lower East Side, Old New York, on the Lower East Side and Making Off with the Lower East Side.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Daredevil Tattoo, on Ludlow Street
Photo by myself on Ludlow and Stanton Streets, on the Lower East Side.
A photo from the stash from one of my favorite neighborhoods, the Lower East Side.
I love the Lower East Side because it's managed to retain its own personality. Many of its signs and buildings are from an earlier generation.
I cannot believe we're halfway through the year already. How can it be?
It's business as usual here in New York. Not much going on except the embarrassing online shenanigans of one of our politicians.
Related posts: A Glimpse into the Orchard Corset Center, on the Lower East Side, Old New York, on the Lower East Side and Making Off with the Lower East Side.
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Saturday, June 11, 2011
Wonder, 34th Street
Photo by myself around 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
Just steps away from the Empire State Building, I spotted some visitors just getting their bearings. They probably just climbed out from the subway station.
Since the Empire State Building is tall, it's better to see it from a few blocks away.
It's easy to become jaded from living in a city: you are bombarded by people and traffic and stuff everyday on the streets. It's different than experiencing life from the protected interior of a car. It's nice to see some real emotion once in a while.
Related posts: Looking Up on Fifth Avenue, Lost in the Crowd and Lost in a Crowd, in Midtown.
Friday, June 10, 2011
At Work, in Midtown
Photo by myself, in Midtown.
Many of the buildings in Midtown are not astronomically tall.
The heights of the buildings vary depending on where you are. Midtown is broken down into smaller neighborhoods, but overall, the area spans from 59th Street to 14th Street.
The buildings in this view are about 15 to 25 stories tall. In the middle distance, you can see some townhouses that are 5 or 6 stories tall. Teeny.
You get a hodge podge of buildings standing next to each other. Some are very modern, others are pre-war buildings. The landscape is constantly changing.
By the way, like the rest of the country, it's been very hot and humid here. Those walking around all day on the street should take care.
Related posts: Dusk Among Towers, Building for a Greener Environment and 42nd Street.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Man of Steel, Hawking Stuff
Photo by myself at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
Nice to know that Superman is alive and well in his hometown.
And, he's turned country/western! This fellow was hawking children's books on a busy street corner on Wednesday.
Believe it or not, it was very hot and humid, perhaps our hottest day this year. Temperatures were in the mid-90's. I can't imagine what it was like in a bodysuit.
In a large city, it sometimes helps to have a gimmick. You're competing against the crowds, traffic and signage. It's tough out there.
Hence the duds.
Related posts: What's Hoppin', in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Stick 'em up, in Madison Square Park and Happy Thanksgiving Week.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
On Midtown Crowds and Guerilla Photography
Photo by myself around 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
On one of the busiest street corners in New York, the setting sun cast a flattering glow on everyone in sight.
Just near Macy's are several entrances to the 34th Street subway. Bajillions of pedestrians cross the streets here every day.
That's just my estimate, not scientific fact. ;-)
While on the street Tuesday, I was thinking of some helpful hints about taking candids. I am not at all the expert about candid photography, and I encourage you to survey many street photography blogs for tips. But I did have a few words of advice.
1. Comfy shoes.
I know, I know, this tip falls under Practical Knowledge 101, but there is truth to it.
Don't try out your new platform sandals while attempting to take candids. Sidewalks are uneven and it's easy to get caught up fiddling around with your camera settings.
The last thing you need is to crash to the ground. Wear sensible shoes you're familiar with. If you feel confident on the street, it will show in your body language and in your photos.
2. Know your camera really well.
It just takes a little practice. Know how to adjust your aperture, shutter speed and ISO without needing the manual. Be able to manipulate one setting really quickly.
Candids aren't like landscapes or portraits. You're taking a photo on the fly of people who are moving. Best case scenario, you take multiple shots of any one scene so you can select the best image later.
If you plan on taking candids and you're shopping for a camera, test the cameras out first for ease in making adjustments.
3. Be subtle.
If you don't want to draw attention to yourself, try this trick: Focus your camera in a completely different direction from your subject. Then swing around and quickly take a shot of the scene you want.
Also, if your camera is black, it helps to wear a dark colored top.
4. Bring your camera everywhere you go.
Everywhere. Every day.
5. Don't be shy.
I think many photographers are more the retiring sort. We're watchful, we notice things. It might not be your nature to take candids, which might seem intrusive.
Take baby steps. Pretend you're taking photos of something going on behind the person you have in mind.
Remember that half of your face is hidden by the camera! And remember that the worst thing that could happen is someone asking you to delete a photo.
Related posts: On Street Photos in Midtown and Online, On the Times and the People and On Street Photography and Grand Central Station.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
All Lit Up, at 72nd Street
Photo by myself at 72nd and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.
The entrance to the subway at West 72nd Street is was built relatively recently.
The designers provided a canopy for people to get out of the rain, bright exterior lighting and a tiny built-in kiosk.
Related posts: At 59th Street and a Visitor's Point of View, Kiosk at Night and Doing Business in the Diamond District.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Fashionista, Midtown
Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.
Ah, now is the time for flip flops and open-toed shoes.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Argh, I am not in love with the above photograph. Consider this a disclaimer.
I've been so busy with work and other stuff, the photography is suffering. There it is. I know it, you don't have to tell me.
Anyway, I wrote in a long ago post about flip flop wearing women in New York. I belong to the flip flop wearing variety.
Others do not. I can understand. New York is not Europe. It is not Santa Monica. Our streets are not pristine.
On the other hand, New York is not completely littered with garbage. Just partly.
It's just so much cooler, temperature-wise to discard your shoes when it's hot. And there are more fashion options.
Related posts: Working the Sidewalk Catwalk, in Midtown, Beautiful People, in the East Village and On Little Black Dresses and Little Black Dogs.
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Sunday, June 5, 2011
Enjoying the Sun, in Midtown
Photo by myself around 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
We've having some beautiful days here with temperatures in the mid-70s and low humidity.
Friday afternoon, just about everyone was enjoying the outdoors. The pedicab drivers were sitting outside, ready to take fares. To date, I have only seen one female pedicab driver.
I'm not sure what the rates are for pedicabs. This is one way to get a personalized tour of New York without impacting the environment.
Though they don't have seat belts, pedicabs are equipped with speakers! You can see them installed, just below the seat.
Sorry for the late start today. Mark got in very, very late last night and we're just getting ourselves together.
Related posts: Riding in Style, in the Village, Enjoying a Ride, in Central Park and A Bit of Fog, in Central Park.
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Saturday, June 4, 2011
Greetings from Above, in Midtown
Photo by myself around 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.
I got a nice wave from some visitors while walking around, the other day.
Double decker open air tour buses are a familiar sight here. They are also known to visit Brooklyn and Harlem.
Viewing the streets from high up allows you to see more of a neighborhood, but it's no substitute for walking around on the sidewalks.
Related posts: Tourists' Eye View, Fifth Avenue, Working It and Kicking Back on Firm Ground.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Balancing Act, in Bryant Park
Photo by myself in Bryant Park.
A few folks assembled into odd and uncomfortable poses in Bryant Park. It was beautiful outside and everyone was enjoying the good weather.
Twice every week through the end of September, hour-long yoga classes are being offered free to the public. Classes are held on Tuesday mornings at 10 am and Thursday nights at 6 pm.
You don't even need to bring your own yoga mat! The free instruction is provided by Lulumon Athletica, a yoga clothing company that hosts complimentary classes worldwide.
For a schedule of the Bryant Park yoga classes, click here.
Related posts: Leg Lunches, 9:25 am, Midtown, Sunday Morning, Along the East River and Sun Salutation, in the East Village.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Serving it up at Naruto Ramen, in Park Slope
Photo by myself at Naruto Ramen, at Fifth Avenue and First Street, in Park Slope.
Ramen places are nowhere as popular as sushi restaurants, but they are their own genre. If you love noodles, you're in luck in New York.
Mark and I found a great ramen place in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where we live. It feels very much like the ramen places we visited during our trip to Japan. And the food is wonderful.
All their ramen dishes contain many ingredients, including fish cake, bean sprouts, scallion, egg and roast pork. There is even a cold ramen dish for the summer months.
At Naruto Ramen, all the ingredients are precisely measured. The chef uses a timer when cooking the noodles. Mark and I enjoyed sitting at the counter, watching the guys prep the food in a blur.
The narrow restaurant allows just enough room for bar seating.
The geki kara ramen, which has a thick soup. Like all the Naruto ramen dishes, this one is chock full of ingredients.
For a list of other ramen places in Manhattan, click here.
Naruto Ramen doesn't have a website. For whatever reason, they've gotten mixed reviews online. You can check out their menu here.
Related posts: Greetings from Tokyo, Serving up Sushi, at 15 East 15th and Ramen Noodles in the East Village.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Back Home to the Brooklyn Bridge and a Boston Terrier
Photo by myself from Brooklyn Bridge Beach.
A view across the East River from the edge of Brooklyn.
This image above was taken last summer. Right now, the Brooklyn Bridge is undergoing some repair. A large portion in the middle is swathed in white fabric, sort of like a Christo installation.
My homecoming to our dog, Rupert was the absolute best. He was so happy to meet me after being away just a few days.
Rupert looks slightly thinner. He usually stops eating when away from home, out of stress. My fiance Mark is staying in LA for the rest of the week on business.
The reunion though was more about Rupert and his rubber ball than about me. Which is okay. I know my place ;-)
Rupert takes a break from playing, Tuesday night, his tongue a blur. It's humid!
Related posts: Red Skiff, in the East River, The View from Roosevelt Island and The City in Silhouette.
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