Up the Down Staircase

"Life is a series of steps. Things are done gradually. Once in a while there is a giant step, but most of the time we are taking small, seemingly insignificant steps on the stairway of life." Ralph Ransom

 This photo was captured in a New York apartment building on the Upper West Side and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

 This is nothing but an ordinary apartment building on the Upper West Side of  Manhattan, New York. Everytime I visit New York this is the place where I stay and after so many visits to this magnificent city this stairway caught my eyes. In the past I must have been either to busy rushing out and just too brain dead looking at the elevator door waiting to pick me up. But either way I am glad that I have discovered this symmetrical beauty. The marble slabs, even though I am sure are very old, are still in a pristine condition and sometimes I wish they could talk. I am interested to hear some of the stories they have to tell.

This is why it's important that we keep an open eye to everything around us. We never know where we are going to find that beautiful spot. Slowly but surely I am discovering them here in New York, the city that never fails to amaze me.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Helga Viking Lens/Claunch 72 Monochrome Film. Some minor adjustments were done in Photoshop CS4.

Statue of Liberty - Fire in Her Hands

Statue of Liberty, New York City

"I've always had a strong feeling for the Statue of Liberty, because it became the statue of my personal liberty." David Antin

This photo was captured from a New York Water Taxi and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

I have always found myself wondering how many tourists visit New York without actually seeing the Statue of Liberty. I have met some that actually forget about it. Most people come to New York for shopping and it's sad to see such materialism obscuring such beauty. 

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most treasured possessions for New Yorkers and North Americans alike. It symbolizes freedom and liberty. It always makes me wonder how immigrants that sailed to New York felt as soon as they saw her.

One thing that most people ask about is her foot. Why is it raised? It's raised as if she is continually on the move, forever bringing freedom to others.

For those who always wondering what's written at the base of the statue here it is:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

So if you are in Manhattan, New York make sure you pack your camera and head to downtown Manhattan to see this majestic beauty.  You will not only experience the beauty of the statue but you will also have some photography in your collection that you can be proud with!

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Libatique 73 Lens/BlacKeys SuperGrain Film. Some minor editing was done in Photoshop CS4.

 

Manhattan Bridge

Manhattan Bridge, New York City

"Bridges are perhaps the most invisible form of public architecture." Bruce Jackson

I had to entertain a few friends who came to visit me in NYC and we decided to go take a water taxi to the Statue of Liberty. When we set sail it was the most perfect day but by the time we arrived at Lady Liberty it all turned around. It was one of the biggest, fastest storms I've ever encountered. Rain or not, New York City still looks beautiful!

Photo was shot using Hipstamatic on iPhone. Settings were Libatique 73/BlacKeys SuperGrain. A few minor adjustments were made in Photoshop CS4. 

Floating Candy

South Street Seaport, New York City

"Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker." Ogden Nash

Coming towards this guy, from a distance I thought that the cotton candy was actually floating in the air. When I get closer I could see that they were attached to a stand that he was holding. It was a dark gloomy day and the vibrant colors of the cotton candy created this magnificent contrast with the surrounding area.  This was shot at South Street Seaport in Manhattan.

Photo was shot using Hipstamatic on iPhone. Settings used were Buckhorst H1 Lens/Pistil Film. Some minor editing was done in Photoshop CS4.

Home Sweet Home!

86th Street Station, New York City

"We are dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem that we just can't solve." Linda Linge

86th Street Metro Station in NYC is one of your everyday metro stops but for this man it's his home. I have came across him several times but not once he had asked for a donation. He is either reading the newspaper or sleeping. 

Picture was taken using the Hipstamatic app on iPhone. Settings were Libatique 73 Lens/BlacKeys SuperGrain Film. Some minor editing was done using Photoshop CS4.

Street Jazz

Upper East Side, New York City

"Jazz is rhythm and meaning." Henry Matisse

This photo was captured in front of the Metropolitan Museum, Upper East Side and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

One of the best jazz duo I have ever encountered on the street. The passion they were putting into their music was radiating on the street.Whether you are out walking or driving by, New York always offers something to entertain you. New York is also one of the best cities for photography as you are always guaranteed to find that perfect moment waiting to be captured. So whether you are on the Upper West Side or the East Side, grab your iPhone, open Hipstamatic and shoot away.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Libatique 73/BlackKeys SuperGrain. Some minor editing was done in Photoshop CS4.


For the picture below settings were Roboto Glitter/Ina's 1969. I gave it a subtle HDR look in Photoshop CS4. 

If You Make Your Bed, Sleep In It - Poverty

Broadway Avenue, New York City

"Poverty is the worst form of violence." Mohandas Gandhi

This photo was captured at Broadway Avenue, Upper West Side and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

We are living in the 21st Century, probably with more material things than we ask for. For these people life is difference. Very different. This particular human being has to improvise when it comes to sleeping quarters, while most of us take our bedroom for granted. In the photo below I couldn't help but notice a certain serene glow on his face. Is it because he is comfortable, or is it because he finally found happiness?

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series on the Upper West Side of Manhattan were Lucifer VI/BlackKeys SuperGrain for both pictures. Flash was used in the second picture to bring out the glow of his face. Flash used was RedEye Gel.

Age vs Matter

Riverside Park, New York City

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional." Chili Davis

This photo was captured at Riverside Park, Upper West Side and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

While on my usual daily walk, I came across this friendly 86 year old guy. I could not stop looking at him doing his exercise. He was more flexible than I would ever be. After he was done he came up to me and we chatted for a while. He said he was a dancer when he was younger. He was also the one who came up with the quote, a quote that I've never heard before but now is stored deep down in my mind. He made it very clear that age is just a number and just because you reach a certain limit doesn't mean you have to stop doing certain things. And I thank those interesting people, otherwise I would have nothing to photography, except the beautiful architecture of Manhattan NY.

This is something that I really love about New York. People don't care what other people think of them. I love the as-long-as-I-am-not-hurting-anybody-then-I'm-doing-nothing-wrong mentality and I wish everyone was like that.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI/BlacKeys SuperGrain. A few final touches were done in Photoshop CS4.