“Four Faves”: Manhattan, NYC edition
1) empire state building
i wasn’t able to compose this photo in a “traditional” manner due to some very ugly and distracting buildings in the foreground. But, ultimately, I liked the slightly unconventional composition. The photos has a starkness, a retro-ness, and a weight/gravity that I found enjoyable! The ESB is an engineering and construction marvel, being completed in just 410 days back in 1930.
2) Lady on the Subway
Well, this is how most people in Manhattan look: effortlessly cool and fashionable… mildly style-conscious at all times. To me, this photo had a movie-like quality. I’m always a sucker for “leading lines” in composition. And I loved repeating and fading tile motif on the wall to the right. The lady, to me, seemed simultaneously “relaxed,” but “intent” or “focused.”
3) Morning Commerce
For some reason I love photographing deliveries in a tight urban environment. I get a little thrill from watching the unrelenting commerce in action. Each day, some establishment is making sales to willing customers. And each new morning, they backfill those sales with a new delivery. I can feel the ethical profit accruing. Anyway, I also loved the repeating pattern of the blue bikes, the action of the main delivery guy, and then the fact that there is an additional delivery in front of the main subject truck.
4) Tourist Photos
This was at the “Charging Bull” statue on Wall Street in Manhattan. These ladies were at the rear end of the bull, putting together some funny poses. To get a photo near the head of the bull, there was quite a line (which I accidentally cut in due to being unaware). What I loved was their total candidness and lack of self-consciousness as they captured their friend acting silly. Getting a photo that shows raw human emotion will always be the holy grail.