Coney Island is always a great place to photograph, having so many interesting people and things. Here are a few photo taken by your friendly Lightjacker. I will add more to this post as I make more available from that day. All in all, an enjoyable afternoon. Walking along Surf Avenue in Coney Island you can find this wood pile, and a sale of carved wood items, some of which are being made on premises while observers watch. I was most taken by the artistic possibilities this created for photography, especially having the Thunderbolt roller-coaster in the background. Get out your cameras folks, crank up the creative parts of your brain, and bring your fun and art home to share. The full resolution print which comes with purchase of this image is awesome. What's that, you see something unusual in this photo... well it's a blog, so speak up. Coney Island Cool Cop Contacts Colleague :)
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I took a walk through the small Narrows Botanical Garden in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, and around the adjacent neighborhood. Here are a few photos from that afternoon. The Garden is very near the American Veteran's Pier, and just south of Owl's Head Park. The Garden has some fish folks. Here are the fish all excited at feeding time. Ed and Jenn with their camera gear. This park off of Shore Road made for some nice photography. Yes, parks can look fine in Black and White, and removal of distracting colors lets elements of composition shine through. Little pond in the Garden. Rust peaking through this old white painted iron fence, contrasted by a yard full of weeds and high grass. I like it! Yes I am crazy, but not because of this. I found this old Caddy convertible parked near where my car was parked. All busted up, but pretty cool nevertheless.
I had the most eerie feeling that I was being watched through that viewer as I took this photo. Also, someone on the other side of the door was shouting "hey photo boy, beat it, now". Go figure, quite confusing. STOP BED BUGS...yep, that should do it. Leave it to the good old bed bug king. Oh what the heck, I might as well give the guy some free press. 888-680-9191 www.bedbugking.com
Long live the king! I took a walk through lower Manhattan with some fellow lightjackers on a quest to take photos and have some fun, which for me are two things that usually go together. Have a look. Sunshine and colorful balloons- a happy thing. Vault Lights- fitted glass lenses set within cast-iron panels. They are embedded into the sidewalks in front of NYC building storefronts. More recently the glass lenses have been embedded into reinforced concrete for strength and safety reasons. Another example of a Vault Light element. Some of the glass lenses may be missing in these old units. A fellow photographer. A stylish New Yorker. Group foreman gladly having his photo taken by the Lightjacker. I saw this interesting leaf on the ground with its color and flowing curves, contrasted by the cement backdrop having straight lines and no color except for that wonderful splash of sunshine, tying it all together. Bravo sunshine. Oh you're are thinking that I forgot to recognize that little petal's contribution to this background/ subject integration? It is duly noted. Break time. This very nice man said he makes all these canes himself with wood he finds, and then varnishes them with at least 4 coats. I always am enticed by shadows and reflections. Interesting lighting in this photo: The sunny lighting on her face was actually coming from a reflection off a large building in front of her. The actual sun was behind her. Taken at Trinity Cemetery, in NYC.
Starting in Dumbo a group of fellow photographers and I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and then into lower Manhattan. The weather was clear and the sky and clouds beautiful. Check out a few of my photographs from that fun day. Our beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. Everyone likes to see the Lightjacker at work. Well here is your chance to see it a few times in this blog post. Just sooooo close!! The wonderful Manhattan Bridge. They look so relaxed....probably not NY'ers. Nice form and shadow does this reader have. Speaking of form and shadow.....it looks like I need a good body waxing, or perhaps a touch of fertilizer. You must click on this one to see it a bit better. Our beautiful Flag waves atop the Brooklyn Bridge. A creative view through some cable on the Brooklyn Bridge. Artist working on the Brooklyn Bridge. Artist selling. There are certainly lots of padlocks in all colors and sizes, many with writing on them, along the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway. Apparently tourists put them there and throw the key into the water, to demonstrate an unbreakable love for something or someone. But the romantic gesture has city officials saying it is damaging the bridge somehow, and they certainly create much work to remove. Is it damaging the bridge?? Either way this trend appears to be happening in other places around the world. It was first noticed on the Brooklyn Bridge around 2010. Overdressed but very cool, not thermally cool that is, just cool. Finally off the grand old bridge and in Manhattan. Great bench, superb shadows, and you know who. All the flowers in all of these boxes lie in one direction as you can see in this one. Some great winds may have been the cause, or perhaps the flower comber only combed in one direction? :-} One man's trash is another's photo subject. The End. Hope you enjoyed. Now go to sleep. Life loving lightjackers are certainly fortunate to be passionate about the art of photography.
Photography is great because it can include, well, just about anything and everything we may come across in life. The photographer's lucky benefit is that instead of just looking, drooling, and leaving, he or she gets to bring some goodies home from the candy store....to enjoy, keep, eat, stack, paint, juggle, give away, whatever....and that is very cool. If you are not a photographer, no worries, because lightjackers are happy to show you what you missed, or what you would love to see again, perhaps from an alternate viewpoint. So come on in, have a piece of candy. the Lightjacker I had a nice walk in Manhattan through the East Village with a group of lightjackers this weekend. Here are a few of my photos from that enjoyable day. "Two Faced" Thank you Photoshop. Soft and hard, light and dark, opposites attract. I love "family", don't you? When I first saw these little watering cans only form and color stood out...then I noticed what I was missing, the story. Cool Old Motor Home. How did they find a parking space for this monster in Manhattan? Cool Old Motor Home in perhaps a more interesting detailed view and composition. How do you feel about that? Here is what this image's original raw file revealed. Now check below. It is pretty wild to see what details you can extract with a bit of work in Lightroom and Photoshop. Hidden gems revealed... much fun. Do you see the familiar Cool Old Motor Home across the street? By the way, the F and 21 in the sign to the right were actually part of text saying "Store For Rent" and "212-753- etc. phone number"- any takers? If so, the clue to its NYC location is present in the photo. Here are a couple of photos of an old Cadillac parked on the street. It was pretty beat up and some parts were falling off. However, it still survives and is, indeed, a Cadillac. Once again this is the raw file photograph right out of the camera. No post processing, no color or contrast, no art, no life. This old classic deserves more. Photo below kicked it up a bit...your style may vary, the creative possibilities are endless, exciting, and fun. STILL CLASSY! I needed a model for the next series of photos, so I asked my beautiful fellow photographers for assistance. They were very willing to help and voila, I had my model and was quite ecstatic. Of course as you can see, one petal was missing. :-) My beautiful little somewhat dried yet still aromatic rose was a wonderful model as you can plainly see. I was so appreciative of its beauty that I stuck the bottom of its stem into a pocket of the camera-bag hanging on my back, allowing it to project proudly and clearly upwards for the world to admire. Unfortunately shortly afterwards in an eatery, while standing on line, some horrific roughian banged into me crushing the little beauty, knocking off all but a couple of its fragile dried petals and sending it crashing onto the floor. I hope you appreciate the little rose's charm, beauty, and now its sacrifice. Be not sad however, for it lives on, in our hearts. (If and when I regain my composure I will, perhaps, post more photographs of my session with the little flower.) ;) The 5 Pointz Aerosol Art Center in Long Island City is a wonderful place for artistic expression of graffiti artists. Unfortunately it is slated for demolition and replacement by two luxury residential buildings. See it if you can while it is still there. Below are some photographs taken recently in and around 5 Pointz. Check out the patterns of shadows on the wall, created by the overhead subway tracks just above me. ** Click any photo to see larger ** Even this mural of a payphone is on the way out if the building gets demolished, not to mention actual payphones. Of course, they live in our hearts (while cell phones live in our pockets). A film production artist and fashion designer, both from Argentina. Can you guess which is which? Now with a local girl included :) The talented Brazilian music star Amannda with her adorable little daughter Bella. Someone left their hat to the elements. Any sympathetic souls out there want to give this hat a home? Yes, Graffiti artists have rules too. "Watched" "Trains and Chains" A fellow lightjacker creating a bit of drama. More drama. Remember this one from above. Now we have birds too. Quite a few actually are observable sitting on the branches in a full resolution photo. See what you can't see! Buy a print when available and you can count the birds, oh joy. Oh look... there is a man photographing the mural of a big hand. This building will be missed if it is demolished. (Update: it has been) I liked this colorful old parked food truck in the warmth of a setting sun. As for puddles..... I sure like puddles (at least looking at them). The nerve of that man walking by and ruining my shot...hmm. I liked the geometry and colors of the train tracks and building reflected in the puddle. The sky is nice too, but what I really love is that chunk of garbage on the ground seen in the lower left....don't you agree? Photo-realism at its best. My little colorful food truck again, replete with sunset reflecting in the window. Why this photo you say? I'm a boy, that's a truck....enough said. I think the abundant garbage in the foreground adds to the composition once again.... you? The colored version of this with an orange sky was quite dramatic... but this is what you get. Look...there's no cover charge so stop complaining! Talented aerosol artist starting from scratch- fun to watch. Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal and surrounding areas proved to be quite interesting, and presented some unique photo opportunities for a lightjacker. It is a nice place to visit, but you would not want to swim there. Some of the elements in this photo almost look like they were arranged to form a pleasing and artistic composition. In reality it's all about using the camera's ability to frame what the photographer sees. Also be prepared to crop after the fact as necessary to satisfy your personal artistic sense. No rules, just art. Now that's freedom baby!! The soft colored and soft focused rectilinear background is sharply contrasted by the crisp, curved, brightly colored oxidized cap on top of the lighting fixture in the foreground. It all makes for good abstract art, and it's right there for the picking. I would not venture out in that craft. I liked the reflections in this parked bus window. You just can't be too safe :} The good old Llightjacker waves to his loyal fans. Ok.... so I was actually waving to myself. That being said however, should you be a fan looking at this photo, consider yourself having been waved to! This is one brave young lady rowing in these waters. The Gowanus Canal has a long history of pollution in spite of many plans and attempts to improve conditions. The Little paper cup is my Big subject and provides Big Contrast and a compositional anchor in this capture. It is therefore the star of this photo. Bravo little cup! This is a case of art trying to hide as merely being "stuff". Pretty soon a whole lot of leaves will be hiding the great shadows created by that tree. There's beauty in them there barbs, wouldn't ya say? Let us now try it in black and white....not bad, this feels kind of right. That round mirror being there was quite helpful. I wonder if that girl realized that she was about to become a star, or at least a co-star. I hear that Eagle Clothes went bankrupt in 1989. It is a great sign and a bit of Brooklyn's history. This is Jimmy (right side) and his friend whose name I cannot recall presently. Cool, nice, and funny guys. This is Jimmy. My fellow photographers look like characters from the great movie "Tombstone". :-} What can I say, no cans, no subjects, no photo. Thanks cans. The Lightjacker is always ready to lend a hand. Love is no different than a digital switch. It is either on or off, 1 or 0, all or nothing. Indeed this may have been the inspiration behind today's digital age, knowingly or unwittingly. There are infinite degrees of like, controlled by a rheostat if you will. Not so with love. If the feeling of love is in question, then it does not exist, because where it truly exists it needs not, and cannot, be questioned. It is unmistakable if present. When the love switch is on it allows full and uninterrupted current flow. While it is true that the amount of current may vary from individual to individual, it is nevertheless maximal for that individual. There is no dimmer switch, no resistor- its flow, whatever that may be, is unencumbered, clearly and quite simply, on.
Of course there is a catch- nothing is that easy. In order to love another you must love two, or love cannot exist. That is the password and secret code which allows the potential for one to bypass the resistors in the circuits and activate love's switch. Without this second party one is relegated at best to a life of like, which is vastly more variable, less complete, and ultimately less fulfilling than love. The second party which must exist in this equation is oneself. If you don't honestly love yourself, you will probably never really love another. If that is your case be assured that it is never too late to open your switch... and it should be job one. It will require some work and change, probably some help, and a totally open mind to make this happen. When it does you will know it, there will be no question. Interestingly enough it is then that one actually begins to focus less on oneself, and more on others, which just builds further upon our feelings of self worth. It's kind of weird, kind of great. It is the key to a better life, and a better world. The Lightjacker These Red Hook photos were taken before Storm Sandy came the following month, in November 2012. Red Hook Brooklyn park. Bikes and Baseball .... you have to love youth. Looking down into the water near Ikea. Check out the high water line, well exceeded during the terrible Storm Sandy. Once again, check out the high waterline. Fall leaves floating in this over flowing water fountain. Another example of how simple subjects can make interesting compositions if angles and lighting are right. Fellow photographer "TN" posing for photo entitled "I love NY's Bravest and NY's Finest." I have an affinity for shadows, and reflections. Catching a few ZZZZZ's. This was a brushed metal table in the Ikea park area, where I noticed some subtle reflections. There is the old Lightjacker himself doing a self portrait "Elvis style". TN will do anything to get her picture :) Always with her camera near by. I fear that this pretty Red Hook scene may be different following Storm Sandy. Pucker up big boy, cause you're not going to be the one that got away! I Saw a some bicycles on the sidewalk at night, locked up, and decided to take some photos using long exposures and camera movement in different patterns. After doing my artwork in Photoshop, this is the result. Taken from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Check out our beautiful Flag near the base of the Manhattan Bridge. "The Runner" I think perhaps the subject has more impact in Black and White>>?? I love puddles.....One only has to look down to look up. There is an amazing and easily overlooked world that lies above, so in the absence of puddles, remember to stop and look up once in a while. :-) Overly simple composition, with lots of lines, caught my eye. You have to love NY street art. If I could only hear this conversation. Taken at a red light from my car window. This pensive pizza delivery person waits for the light to change, as did I while I took this photo from my car window in Brooklyn Heights on the way to Dumbo. I called this "Face to Face" "Face to Face" color version. I had some fun last weekend spending some time in Chinatown and then at San Gennaro feast in Little Italy, with a group of other NY photographers. Here are some of the pictures I took in Manhattan's Chinatown. First Shearith Israel Cemetery - Located in Chinatown at St. James Place, just off Chatham Square. Having been built in 1683, this is the oldest Jewish cemetery in New York City. http://nycemetery.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/first-shearith-israel-cemetery-chatham-square-cemetery/ That's Chinatown... lots of fish for sale. This obliging store worker holds up a live frog which is for sale. I can't help but feel bad for all the live critters in the barrels... crabs, turtles, frogs, etc. I like the perspective created by this lampost, and the various lines and angles. One of New York's Bravest poses with a few fellow photographers here in Chinatown. It looks like this magazine has fallen between the cracks. Do you think the previous reader left this magazine for someone else to read, or is it simply a case of "stealth litter"? Hmmmmm, deep stuff :} 0 Comments I had some fun at San Gennaro feast in Little Italy, with one or two other NY photographers. Here are some of the pictures I took along the way at San Gennaro where you certainly find some colorful characters. Enjoying his Cigar was this gent from "Mulberry Street Cigars". One proud dad and his little cute daughter at San Gennaro. Hey, dad's sure cheaper than a pony ride, and you go longer too! Interesting face and eyes, even behind the specs. A sweet and patient little girl getting her face painted. I think someone is feeling good about the results. :-} Ah ha, the face paint artist herself. She does a great job and the kids loved it. Digging her adorable doggie. Interesting way to take out your pet...what would the dog whisperer say about this one. So I told him I would like to take his photo, and he said, I'd like a buck, I gave it to him, and voila. I respect entrepreneurship, and he was cool. This little dude saw me shooting him, and shot me right back. This cute little one felt she was supposed to smile, but just had some reservations when my big old camera pointed at her. Very cute indeed. Why talk, we can text! With all the hustle and bustle outside, this gent relaxes in a nice cool restaurant and reads his paper. When I admired this nice Serbian girl's bicycle decor, she said to me "I love my flowers". I like her style. N.Y.'s Bravest kicking back during quiet time. San Gennaro - dresses for sale. I spotted this gentleman at the San Gennaro feast carrying a glass which happened to echo his jacket.....so I had to call him over for some photos and told him what I saw. He was cool about it as was his lady friend who called out " put up your arms so he can see them", which, as you can see, he did. They were a fun couple. I told her she was my honorary art director. Like I said to him, you look so much better with this pretty lady by your side. He acknowledged. It's the people and their good spirits that make San Gennaro fun. A composited composition started in NYC near the Roosevelt Island tram. As usual, click images to see larger. On the way to the Tram to Roosevelt Island I spotted this metal artist doing his thing. When I stuck my head in, I was invited to come in and say hello. This very talented artist is named Valentin. Valentin again this time taken from the ground level. He is making an ornate door. Another piece he had made was a small table made of metal with cloth rippled and pleated around the edge...except the cloth was metal he formed to look like fabric...quite amazing and beautiful. NYC Artist's quarters with oil painting on table as seen. This Manhattan building was photographed from the Roosevelt Island Tram. It's a fun ride with great views, but it doesn't last very long. Fisherman leveraging his potential. Many folk may not like pigeons, but they do make some people happy. Besides, if you had no toilet and were winged, you would probably poop everywhere too. Two new friends I met along the way. This Roosevelt Island drinking fountain is a pretty cool structure. Photographer Sally lends a hand. Isn't togetherness great. Now let's see them drink. Even an aging flower can have charm and beauty. The Pepsi sign in Queens as seen from Roosevelt Island. It's not Warhol, it's Willhol. (Sorry to be cryptic, but it is a play on my name, William.) Artsygraphs here I come. I took this photo of a metal rusty pillar, and decided to use Photoshop to create this artwork to my liking. I possibly should post the original photo for reference.. Fellow photographer lending a hand here. What's his name you ask. Sorry, but I am not one to Tsk and tell. :-} The little flowers did the trick and made my shutter click. This tree on Roosevelt Island had great esthetic appeal re composition, texture, and color. Do you like nature? Some fellow photographers doing the see, hear, and speak no evil thing (not in that order however). Here are a few photos just added to the "Museum Days" portfolio in Gallery 1. As usual, click to enlarge images. Reflect on your sole. This exhibit caught some attention. It is not hard to see why. Maybe I will head over to the flower shop... ya think? A Brooklyn Museum visitor enjoying the art. I took my liberties in Photoshop to create this image. The mirror and girl are real, their graphic portrayal has been given new life. The reflection of the gentle sculpture coming off of the glass of the picture behind it, combined with a less than gentle picture composition, intrigued me. Click to enlarge for a clearer view I've never been quite that hungry. A very old map. I appreciate the compositional synergies between the art in the background and foreground in this photo. "Men in / on the Mirror" If you were in the Brooklyn Museum recently, you would probably understand what is going on in this picture. Ok I'll give it up... the man on the right is pasted onto the mirror... part of an exhibit. The reflection of the man in the green shirt was changed by me to black and white (mostly.. it needed to be matched in tone and slightly in hue to the man on the right). Well, you asked for it! This delightful lady enjoyed my showing her this digital photo just taken of her as she was appreciating this wonderful artwork. On Sunday June 3rd the Space Shuttle Enterprise began its transportation on a barge from JFK International Airport to Port Elizabeth, N.J. A couple of days later it was to be brought to its final destination at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in Manhattan. I eagerly awaited along with other locals on Shore Road in Bay Ridge Brooklyn for the craft to come into view. It was quite impressive to see this striking and historic shuttle make its graceful journey past us in the water. Click images to view larger. The transport of the Enterprise was slow enough to satisfy onlookers, yet brief enough to leave one enchanted and intrigued. This crew guides from the rear of the barge. In my opinion the tail of this amazing shuttle prototype is as beautiful as it apparently is functional. This photo of "the end" of the shuttle however saddens me as it is somehow reminiscent of the recent end of the American space shuttle program. Here are two links which may be of interest: Reuters link Floppingaces link Central Park is always great, but the fall colors make it especially vibrant. The blending of man made and natural, hard and soft, round and irregular, exists in this photo. All considered a pretty good merger I would say. Little view of a stream in the park. So I like the shadow patterns of the fence and trees which are cast upon this truck... I admit it. This Willow tree and its shadows and reflections form a graceful backdrop for this photo of two Central Park ducks swimming quickly along. This fellow actually worked long and hard digging out bottles and cans. It's always fun finding messages in the mundane. Isn't this a "glovely" photograph? I was intrigued by the way these gloves draped over the cement wall. At first glance it seemed that someone was climbing over it. The fallen tree branch in this photograph seems reminiscent of a prehistoric creature, eye and all. I also like "his" lines and textures. Yet another wooden imposter! This Cormorant is atypical for Central Park. It seemed quite patient and unafraid as I captured several photos. Wow, how cool is NYC Halloween night for a lightjacker with his camera. The answer: Very cool. This delightful young lady told my fortune to me on Halloween night in NYC. It was very cute but she failed to tell me that I would be posting her picture on 11/11/11.... ouch- better luck next time :} Everybody loves a Clown????? Click his photo to enlarge....if you dare. Pleasant dreams! The Brooklyn Museum has a great offering the first Saturday of each month, which includes music, dancing, lots of great art, and for all this, it is free admission. Food and drink are available also. The spirit and energy of the crowd is good...Art brings out the best in a crowd I would say. It's so nice watching people enjoying art. Click any image for a larger view. This person just kicked back on one leg to read the description of the artwork. He enjoyed and relaxed, as did I. These three females were seduced by the interesting and accomplished Justice Sonia Sotomayor, whose photo stands in front of them. It is part of a twenty five photo exhibit of the work of photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, which is called "The Latino List". Here is a link which at this current time is valid. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/latino_list/ Each year the Atlantic Antic Street Festival takes place. The food, music, and people are great. And so the rain began to fall. This photo was shot through a glass window during the street fair... now which toy will they select?
Williamsburg has a great car show each year. The Lightjacker covers some of the action....here's the proof...you've got to love those bony knees! A few fellow photographers in the background. Here is one great old Dodge. This car looks staged but nice. Cool. I really like this composition...it has a sense of static movement...huh.... what do you think? When The Lightjacker covers the show's action, he is covering all the action! |
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