Back to the Big Apple

This past Friday I took a second trip to NYC to spend the day making photographs. This is the second of what I think will become and annual event for me. New York has always had a fascination for photographers. There is so much to photograph. Whether it is the architecture, the people, or the general "hustle and flow" of the city, it all makes for great images.

This year I took along my friend and long time tennis partner, Dave Hemberger. He had just purchased a new prosumer camera, ostensibly for his wife, and was eager to try it out in Manhattan. We hit most of the same areas as last year's trip. We were in and around Times Square and traveled uptown and down, east side and west, as time permitted. We hit most of the attractions in the area including Rockefeller Center, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Broadway, and the New York Public library among others. And Dave, a musician, got to try out some new trumpets at Sam Ash's store on 48th street.

The weather kept changing. The forecast was for mostly sunny skies but we found that the weather would change from sunny to overcast in a very short time and the temps and wind made it a bit chilly. However, the changing weather also made for many opportunities to shoot in different light. A bit challenging but the results were great.

I was struck by the amount of animated signage that is in and around Times Square. There was a lot last year but it has certainly increased since then. It reminded me a lot of Ridley Scott's classic sci-fi movie, Blade Runner. If it was raining and at night, it would have been hard to distinguish between the movie and reality. I find the amount of these signs to be disorienting. You have giant heads talking to you from fifty above you and whole sides of buildings constantly changing with seemingly never ending advertising. Next year, I think I will head downtown to Greenwich Village, or the financial district.

The best thing to photograph in the city, of course, is the people. And there were a lot of them. The city (Manhattan is always "the city" to New Yorkers) is teeming with people. I felt like asking why they weren't inside at work! Of course, there were a lot of tourists who gravitate to Broadway and the aforementioned attractions nearby. But there was no respite from the flow of humanity moving along the sidewalks. You felt like you were constantly being buffeted and pummeled about. I was born and raised in New York, moving to Pennsylvania in 1974. But I don't remember this much human congestion in Manhattan on a weekday before any holidays.

But more people means more photo opportunities, so I put up with it!

Part of the TV crew for one of the morning talk shows

A very proper bicyclist

Sort of reminiscent of Bruce Willis

Are they paying attention?

Texting while patrolling

Actors being filmed

This guy was great. Walked up and said,"Take my picture."

Going to the Dogs

A big part of my recent trip to South Dakota and parts west, was to help photograph a national dog show for the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed. The event was held in the Civic Center in Rapid City and there were about 500 dogs in attendance. If you have seen the movie, Best in Show, you have a slight idea as to the goings on at these events. Lots of dog lovers and lots of “show people.”

My job was to organize and print out proofs from the “win” shots. These are basically portraits of the dog, handler and or owner, and the judge for the winning animals in each class. It got hectic occasionally as this was my first time at a dog show and had to learn fast to keep up with volume. I was also shooting “candids” which are shots of the dogs in the ring as they are being judged. It is important to get the dogs in the right position so that the correct confirmation for the breed is shown. It got easier as the show progressed.

My first priority was to get the shots I have described. If I was there on my own, I would be covering the event in a photojouralistic style complete with interviews of the people involved. But that was not to be. Priorities first.

I did get some shots that I liked and have produced them here in B&W. I thought that it fit my vision of the event. Of course, the images I submitted to my employer were all in color. Tom and Sande Weigand of The Winning Image had hired me for this job. They travel around the country in an enormous RV and photograph dog shows all during the year. They were short handed for this show so I was able to fill in.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a truly wonderful breed. They were originally bred to hunt lions in South Africa. They are loyal, friendly, and particularly affectionate and caring of children. The breed was a consideration the last time we got a dog, but it needs a bit more exercise and care than we would be able to provide. So it was a Boston Terrier for us.

Go West, Young Man!

Abandoned Schoolhouse

OK, I'm not that young. But I did get to make a trip out to South Dakota and then down to Boulder, Colorado. I drove through twelve states in two weeks. Nominally I was going out to Rapid City, SD, to help photograph a national dog show. When I was done with that, I got to visit Badlands National Park and then travel to Colorado to visit friends who live just outside Boulder. This was quite a unique opportunity and I brought a good amount (too much, really) camera equipment to meet any contingency. My theory was better to have it and not need than the other way around.

What struck me most about this part of the country was the vastness of it. Oftentimes, driving through South Dakota or Wyoming, I could look to the left and right and see unimpeded to the horizon. And there was very little in the landscape to place yourself in the 21st century. You could easily travel back in time in your mind and visualize buffalo herds, or wagon trains, or Indian scouting parties traveling on the rolling prairie and grasslands. It all has a haunting loveliness to it.

The first chance I got to do some of my own camera work, I headed for Badlands National Park. I made three trips there trying for the best light possible. I didn't always succeed. I wanted to get a beautiful sunrise and traveled to arrive before dawn. However, dawn came with lowering clouds and not much light. So, I came again later in the day to catch the sunset. This worked. It is a beautiful place and, for a photographer, it takes a long time to drive through because there is something to photograph around every turn.

Badlands NP

I then traveled through South Dakota and Wyoming to Colorado. Some of these shots are taken from the road. I found that I wanted to stop often.

While in Boulder, my friends, Lynn and Brendan, took me up into the Flatirons above Boulder and into the Rocky Mountain National Park.

I loved all of it and Lynn and Brendan were very patient with me as I would constantly ask to stop for a photo op.

I also got to see downtown Boulder, Pearl Street in particular. Lots of shops with artwork of all kinds. There were also some very interesting people who just had to be photographed.

Badlands NP

Badlands NP

Rocky Mountain NP

Rocky Mountain NP

I have to say the the Rocky Mountain NP was absolutely spectacular. Beauty and majesty around every curve. Certainly one of God's masterworks.

I also photographed in Boulder at night which was fun. Actually, the whole trip was wonderful and I have hundreds of inages to prove it. Can't wait to return.

Rocky Mountain NP

 

Street Person in Boulder

Local Eatery in Boulder

Street Person in Boulder

Troubadour

Street Musician in Boulder

Yes, a renaissance faire

OK, maybe it has become a photographic cliche, but I was looking forward to going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Manheim this past weekend. It has probably been more than ten years since Lesley and I attended. And as we entered the grounds we knew immediately that this event had grown considerably since our last attendance. 

But one thing has stayed the same. The actor participants are a lot of fun to photograph and to interact with. As are many of the attendees. It is sort of a Comicon kind of event with many of the attendees in costume and in character. It truly is a photographer's venue and I tried to make the best of it.

In this garish and freewheeling atmosphere it is easy to walk up to anyone and ask for a chance to photograph them. In some cases those in front of the camera are not shy about striking poses and expressing their characters. It is really great fun. You always meet some very interesting people.

Recent Work

I have had some interesting assignments lately from our county lifestyle magazine. The October issue will feature three senior citizens and their "retirement" activities. The three represent the arts in painting, photography, and singing. As usual, it is always a great experience meeting new people; especially ones that are so talented. 

I got some nice images and here are some samples:

 

Over his life, Fred Bacon has been an artist, an educator, and a world traveler. He is on advisory committees for museums. In his eighties, Fred shows no sign of slowing down. His retirement has become busier than his pre-retirement life. A great person talk to. 

 

Kitty Wise is a self-taught vocalist. She started singing just because she liked it and learned arrangements from recordings she liked.  Her husband, Don, and friends and family encouraged her and eventually she put together an act and plays local venues. She has a very faithful following.

 

Conrad Karlson has had his own photography business as well as an acting career. He has appeared in feature films and television shows. I had met Con before and it was a treat to meet up again and be able to photograph him. All the while talking "photography."

I take my cameras everywhere I go so I don't miss anything. Here are some recent efforts.

 

The Peconic River in Riverhead, NY. Just after sunset.

 

A fly fishing expert holding forth at a local cultural event.

 

A Civil War reenactor.

 

This jolly guitar player was performing at the Kutztown Folk Festival.

 

Some cool refreshment at the festival.

 

Sometime, you just have to get out of the sun and take a rest.

 

The international headquarters of Penske.

 

Some training going on at the Pennsylvania Riding Academy.

 

My brother-in-law's house in Riverhead.

 

And, again....

By the way, you can click on these images to see a larger version. Hope you enjoy them.