NYC Silhouettes
New York City is a great place for street photography- there is so much doing and so many people doing it. I recently spent a couple of days targeting the West Side, covering 14th to 125th street, and the Hudson River to 5th Avenue. The thing about street photography is that it takes patience, a commodity I often lack. Great situations don't automatically start happening just because I want to take some amazing photos. So it's lots of walking and taking lots of uninteresting shots.
Finally, I found an unexpected magical place- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. It's beautiful any time of day, but what made it a magical find is that I got there at night. The main entry into Lincoln Center is up a wide set of stairs onto Josie Robertson Plaza. In the middle of the plaza is a large water fountain surrounded by a wide ledge for sitting. The water is very brightly lit from below.... I'm hardly the first photographer to discover that this is an amazing place to take pictures, but for me it was a major discovery. Because of the brightly lit water, this was a perfect environment for silhouettes.
Over two evenings I spent several hours at the water fountain. I discovered that there are at least three types of people who come to the fountain: those who want their pictures taken, those who want their pictures taken while performing, and those who want a spiritual experience. Actually there is a fourth type: those who take pictures of the other three types!!
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Finally, I found an unexpected magical place- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. It's beautiful any time of day, but what made it a magical find is that I got there at night. The main entry into Lincoln Center is up a wide set of stairs onto Josie Robertson Plaza. In the middle of the plaza is a large water fountain surrounded by a wide ledge for sitting. The water is very brightly lit from below.... I'm hardly the first photographer to discover that this is an amazing place to take pictures, but for me it was a major discovery. Because of the brightly lit water, this was a perfect environment for silhouettes.
Over two evenings I spent several hours at the water fountain. I discovered that there are at least three types of people who come to the fountain: those who want their pictures taken, those who want their pictures taken while performing, and those who want a spiritual experience. Actually there is a fourth type: those who take pictures of the other three types!!
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The Water Fountain: Walking up the stairs, it's the buildings, beautiful lights and colors that catch attention. (Yes, these are black and white photos so you will just have to take my word for it!). But as you approach the fountain, the water takes over. The height of the water changes from off to full at which point it's maybe ten feet high. Actually the variation proved challenging for taking pictures- I would have preferred it to be full force all the time.
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Those Who Want Their Pictures Taken: It was almost like everyone had their own photographer with them or they recruited a bystander. As the "fourth type of person", I had to find my own spots to work around the primary photographers.
Three Bears: This happy family snuggled up real close for their portrait. Even in silhouette, it's obvious that Mom and Dad had big smiles on their faces. I'm not sure that Baby shared the same sentiment.
Those Who Want Their Pictures Taken: It was almost like everyone had their own photographer with them or they recruited a bystander. As the "fourth type of person", I had to find my own spots to work around the primary photographers.
Three Bears: This happy family snuggled up real close for their portrait. Even in silhouette, it's obvious that Mom and Dad had big smiles on their faces. I'm not sure that Baby shared the same sentiment.
Southern Belles: A group of ladies visiting from Louisiana adopted me as their photographer. It took some doing to get this group of seven surgically connected ladies to move in unison to the center of the fountain. On closer inspection, it looks like they picked up a gentleman interloper along the way... After I took pictures with their camera and then with mine, they insisted on turning the table on me.
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Those Who Want Their Pictures Taken While Performing: The most amazing part of this experience was that many people are ready, willing and very able to do great acts of body contortions in front of the water fountain. It's like a magnet.
Ballet Dancer: There were two ballet dancers who took turns as performer and photographer. This particular dancer was absolutely poetic in her moves- she became a swan... In her second attempt, where she extended her leg even higher than the first time, someone else had entered the frame. It looks like there is yet another type of person who comes to the fountain: those who prefer their cell phones to live performances.
Those Who Want Their Pictures Taken While Performing: The most amazing part of this experience was that many people are ready, willing and very able to do great acts of body contortions in front of the water fountain. It's like a magnet.
Ballet Dancer: There were two ballet dancers who took turns as performer and photographer. This particular dancer was absolutely poetic in her moves- she became a swan... In her second attempt, where she extended her leg even higher than the first time, someone else had entered the frame. It looks like there is yet another type of person who comes to the fountain: those who prefer their cell phones to live performances.
Another Dancer Takes The Stage
Gymnast: She was kind enough to do this for my camera- "I do hand stands every day!!"
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Those Who Want a Spiritual Experience: Some people just gaze into the water while deep in their thoughts.
Those Who Want a Spiritual Experience: Some people just gaze into the water while deep in their thoughts.
Beautiful
Handsome
Skateboarder: He had the perfect seat.
Meditation: A young lady sat for a long period of time on the wet ledge.
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Those Who Just Forget Everything: Some people get overwhelmed by the experience or maybe just don't want their pictures taken wearing glasses. This pair sat abandoned on the ledge.
Those Who Just Forget Everything: Some people get overwhelmed by the experience or maybe just don't want their pictures taken wearing glasses. This pair sat abandoned on the ledge.
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A Few More Pictures from New York
A Few More Pictures from New York
Rare Sighting: An Apple Store With No People.
Flatiron Building
Hesitant Ballerina
Andy: If I remember correctly, it was the wall of the Julliard School that had these random words and phrases. This one caught my attention.
Sculpture Near Columbus Circle
I Love You George and Ringo: The great street photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson spoke of the Decisive Moment as that instant when everything falls into place for a picture. The challenge is to recognize that moment and open the shutter!
