42nd Street
New York is iconic- say the words and it conjures of images in your mind. Within the city there are so many places that are icons in their own right. That includes streets like Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue, and of course 42nd Street. When I lived in New York City in the late 60's, 42nd Street meant sleaze, particularly around Times Square. That's all changed of course, but somehow those words"42nd Street" will always have an edge.
I spent a day and a half roaming 42nd Street doing Street Photography. There was so much to shoot I didn't know where to point the lens. Mostly I wanted to find interesting people doing interesting things in interesting places- what better than 42nd Street!
I spent a day and a half roaming 42nd Street doing Street Photography. There was so much to shoot I didn't know where to point the lens. Mostly I wanted to find interesting people doing interesting things in interesting places- what better than 42nd Street!
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Early Morning on 42nd Street: This was taken at the East end of the street. Behind me was Tudor City, "the first residential skyscraper complex in the world", the U.N. and the East River.
Early Morning on 42nd Street: This was taken at the East end of the street. Behind me was Tudor City, "the first residential skyscraper complex in the world", the U.N. and the East River.
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Grand Central Terminal: The greatest attraction for me on 42nd Street is Grand Central Terminal. It's a major transportation hub and because of its beauty and many secrets, it's a major tourist attraction.
Just off the main concourse is Vanderbilt Hall which is used for special exhibits. There was actually a squash tournament going on: The J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. The court was made out of glass with the front of the court facing passers by. These top players hit the ball with great power. Each "ping" of the ball as it hit made me wonder if it the glass has ever broken. It got pretty crowded so most images were taken during practice sessions.
Primping for the Camera: Must look our best for the international audience.
Grand Central Terminal: The greatest attraction for me on 42nd Street is Grand Central Terminal. It's a major transportation hub and because of its beauty and many secrets, it's a major tourist attraction.
Just off the main concourse is Vanderbilt Hall which is used for special exhibits. There was actually a squash tournament going on: The J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. The court was made out of glass with the front of the court facing passers by. These top players hit the ball with great power. Each "ping" of the ball as it hit made me wonder if it the glass has ever broken. It got pretty crowded so most images were taken during practice sessions.
Primping for the Camera: Must look our best for the international audience.
First Volley: Their intensity was extreme.
Second Volley
Stretch: Taken during tournament play, this competitor was not about to miss the shot.
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Main Concourse- Rush Hour: This is what 5:40PM on Friday evening looks like. It's almost like an ant colony- each seeming to move aimlessly yet knowing exactly where to go.
Main Concourse- Rush Hour: This is what 5:40PM on Friday evening looks like. It's almost like an ant colony- each seeming to move aimlessly yet knowing exactly where to go.
Main Concourse- Weekend Morning: Early Saturday morning was a much calmer scene with plenty of space for a photo-shoot. Notice that the couple is surrounded by four photographers- at the bottom is the professional, at the left side and top are two street photographers getting their own shots of the couple, and at the right there is a photographer on the floor who is not the least bit interested in this scene. And of course the fifth photographer caught it all.
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The West entrance of Grand Central Terminal was a drive-in area in pre-terror days. Today it's a covered waiting area outside the building- often a great spot to capture interesting people.
Best Shine in Town: Business was slow on Saturday morning.
The West entrance of Grand Central Terminal was a drive-in area in pre-terror days. Today it's a covered waiting area outside the building- often a great spot to capture interesting people.
Best Shine in Town: Business was slow on Saturday morning.
No Smoking!! This image and the one above are part of the same shot.
New Haven: She was in town to see a show. Note the very wet snow.
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Pershing Square sits just across 42nd Street from Grand Central Terminal.
Pershing Square Cafe: Nestled under the Park Avenue Viaduct is "The Busiest and Best Breakfast in New York". Not sure about that, but it's certainly the neatest looking breakfast in New York!
Pershing Square sits just across 42nd Street from Grand Central Terminal.
Pershing Square Cafe: Nestled under the Park Avenue Viaduct is "The Busiest and Best Breakfast in New York". Not sure about that, but it's certainly the neatest looking breakfast in New York!
Rag Top: Cafe customer enjoying a meal.
Under the Table: It's good to get a different point of view.
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Bryant Park: Just behind the New York Public Library is Bryant Park. I spent considerable time there because so much was going on.
Spiritual Skater: The biggest draw was the ice skating rink- lots of opportunity for photography. As expected, most skaters had skills that ranged from moderate to almost none at all. Everyone had fun trying to stay vertical... After watching for some time, a man skated to the area where I was standing. He seemed to go into a trance and began what looked like a slow motion ice ballet. It was quite moving. Then as quickly as he appeared- he was gone.
Bryant Park: Just behind the New York Public Library is Bryant Park. I spent considerable time there because so much was going on.
Spiritual Skater: The biggest draw was the ice skating rink- lots of opportunity for photography. As expected, most skaters had skills that ranged from moderate to almost none at all. Everyone had fun trying to stay vertical... After watching for some time, a man skated to the area where I was standing. He seemed to go into a trance and began what looked like a slow motion ice ballet. It was quite moving. Then as quickly as he appeared- he was gone.
Another event going on in Bryant Park was a juggling meet. There were very experienced jugglers and many just trying to get the hang of it. One master gave special training to his young apprentice.
Hands in Position
Hands in Position
Get Ready
That's It, You Got It!
Now for Your Next Assignment
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More Images from 42d Street: There were a number of other moments that caught my eye.
In the Light: Taken in the New York Public Library. There was a beam of light coming from a window. As he walked into it, his face lit up.
More Images from 42d Street: There were a number of other moments that caught my eye.
In the Light: Taken in the New York Public Library. There was a beam of light coming from a window. As he walked into it, his face lit up.
Gold Man: He was on his way to Times Square to pose for the public. What a way to make a living.
Greeters at Madame Tussauds: The first figure moved and talked.
Arrest: My only moment of sadness. A few seconds later he was in a police van.
Reader: Interesting to find a young person immersed in a book in the midst of all the lights and action.
Icedating: Were they hugging or just trying to keep each other from falling?
Artist in the Rain: This person set up a little street studio on a very wet day.
Shady Character: Taken through a store window at Times Square. The patterned mesh in the window is probably to control light and prevent shattering. It's not very noticeable to the eye, but focusing the camera on the pattern produces an interesting effect.
The End: A "fitting" image to end my journey on 42nd Street. One street down, 150 more to go...