New York City Streets
Traveling to NYC is my great test this week. The purpose of the trip is specifically to take street photography. It is Step 1 of a dream that was put on hold in March of 2020. For a decade, I had traveled internationally with a group. I was ready to try something else, perhaps go to a city and stay for a month. The huge hurdle was the logistics. I would have to arrange everything, which is work I am loathe to do. Am I really up to that?
Day 1 Thursday, April 6
Thoughts on the plane:
Is it reasonable for me to travel largely for opportunities to take street photography?
Do I have the endurance to get out enough hours to make this a worthwhile trip?
Are the photography walks going to be fun or just another thing that I feel required to do?
Am I brave enough to do this?
Arrival into NYC:
I went from the airport, to the hotel, to my son’s office, to lunch and coffee, to Union Square, to the Women’s Street Photography Gallery opening in El Barrio’s Artspace PS 109 and finished with the grand finale trip home in an Uber. NYC Uber puts an orange screen on your cell phone to help connect with the driver at night. Nice touch, Uber. It was me and a homeless guy trying to get into the Art Space courtyard as I waited for the Uber. I am definitely brave enough. Oh, yes, and I have the endurance. I walked more than 7 miles and was out more or less continuously for 13 hours.
Day 2 Friday
I had lunch with a friend at my most favorite place to eat in NYC, the Famous Cozy Soup and Burger. It was like old home week when I greeted the young man who is the family member responsible for keeping the 50 year old family business going. I do truly know how hard his life’s work is. Buena suerte, my friend. Next up was a trip to Times Square. Honestly, visiting that part of the city about once every two to three years is enough. Pretty soon, the folks dressed in costume who make their living soliciting photographs with a character in costume will out-number the tourists who want to take the photographs. I walked home, so once again, it was a 7 mile day. Note to self - when you get tired you do not take good photographs.
Day 3 Saturday
My Saturday photographic journey was, shall we say, character building. I was determined to get back out to Coney Island. My first visit was in the early fall, so I figured it would be easy enough to go in the spring. Wind knows no seasons. I underestimated how much wind there would be and how cold that would make it feel. However, it was not the cold that was character building.
My experiences with public transportation are minimal. We don’t do public transportation in the South. I could make a political observation about that, but I won’t. To say that I got tangled up with the subway is an understatement. For an hour I literally went around in circles between stations. When I finally decided I had to get above ground to assess the situation, I was miraculously at my home station. Thank you, photography gods. I did what I was supposed to do in the first place, and was on my way to Coney Island. I am happy to say that the one hour journey did not include a homeless man swearing and ranting at me because I was on my cell phone using Google Maps desperately trying to figure out what I had done wrong on my first try. He reminded me of a fellow in Nashville who I seem to trigger by just being there. Could he have followed me? All in all, there was not much to show for the day’s photographic efforts, but I now know my walks are fun, with or without challenges or even success. Oh yes, and I am definitely brave enough.
Day 4 Sunday
I was out and about in the financial district because I met a friend for brunch at another one of my favorite places, Squire’s Diner. I think you are probably getting the drift on the sophistication of my dining palette. I decided to walk home instead of take the subway. When I got home, I realized that I had taken shockingly few pictures. My fear is at play here. This fellow below realized I was taking his picture and asked me about it. I offered to delete, but he declined. I definitely have to pick up the pace.
I will finish blogging about the NYC journey next week. One small step forward is that I have I have learned to negotiate posting on the Square Space website from the app on my tablet. No color theory this week!