Alone I Stand

Financial District, New York City

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." Colin Powell

The quote that's included with this photograph is a quote I came across a few years ago but stayed imprinted in my mind. I think it's very fitting with this photograph. 


This photograph was captured while I was in a New York Water Taxi on the way to the Statue of Liberty. Clouds were starting to engulf the perfect blue sky and in a matter of minutes it was storming but that made the trip more exciting. This particular skyscraper looks exceptionally good on a stormy day and that's because the exterior panels are shiny, almost mirror-like so it reflects whatever color is in the sky. I always thought it looks best when it's cloudy.


The location for this skyscraper is perfect. It's right on the edge of the water and it's the only building that's considered as a skyscraper in the area. It stands out more and whether you want it or not, your eyes will go on it while passing by.

This photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys Super Grain Film/Libatique 73 Lens.

The Lady and The Fish

Hi-Life, Manhattan

"For light I go directly to the source of light, not to any of the reflections." Peace Pilgrim

It was just a mid-week dinner at this restaurant on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. I have been going to this place for some time now but today it was the first time I actually realized how beautiful the aquarium at the entrance is and I am glad I had my beloved iPhone armed with the Hipstamatic app with me. But that makes me think. How many times we were in a hurry and actually missed seeing something beautiful? 

The aquarium is a see-through one, it divides the entrance and the seating area of the restaurant. I was planning to take a photograph of the fish but later on, when I checked the photograph I actually saw the woman waiting at the back. That was unplanned but she turned out to be perfect for the photo. The way she is standing there, is like she is lost deep in thought. A New Yorker who stopped for a second to actually reflect on her life. Or maybe she was just bored waiting? Or she is just admiring the goldfish floating around gracefully. 

The hardest part of this photograph is actually coming up with a title. My mind is swarming with ideas and yet I couldn't come up with anything decent.  I am open to suggestions!

This photograph was shot using Hipstamatic on my iPhone and the settings were Lucifer IV/BlacKeys B&W. I converted it to black and white in PS CS4.

The Road to Salvation

Central Park, New York

"Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm." Idries Shah

How many times are we walking in the same spot but always see something different? Many of us don't even notice, while some of us do and try to see what is that one thing that is making the same scene look different. 


On this particular day, while I was walking in Central Park, New York I noticed the shadow on the pavement was creating a nice texture. I have been walking here but I honestly never saw it before. Now it's either because I never bothered to look or maybe it was because the sun was hitting the trees from an angle. To be honest I usually go walk late in the afternoon but this picture was taken in the morning. It was a hazy day which you can see by looking at the soft tones on the trees further away in the photograph. 


When I saw this picture I realized that while walking around in New York, you have to keep an open eye. In New York everything comes and goes fast and you can miss seeing that something beautiful in a blink of an eye. This may sound overwhelming to some people who never experienced New York before but for those who live there, I am sure you know what I mean.

This photograph was shot using Hipstamatic on my iPhone and the settings were Lucifer IV/BlacKeys B&W. I converted it to black and white in PS CS4.

One Last View of New York...For Now

Upper West Side, New York

"New York is the only real city-city." Truman Capote

This photo was captured at Central Park in Manhattan, New York and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

This morning, while I was taking my usual walk around the Jackie Onassis Reservoir, it hit me and it hit me hard. This was my last day in New York City for a couple of months. That's when the melancholy kicked in and I was looking around me like it was my first time in the city. I wanted to take as many mental images of the city as possible so New York can be imprinted in my mind for as long as I stay away.

What you see in the picture is the famous San Remo building, which is a favorite hideaway for stars in New York. 


The weather was not ideal, because it was a little hazy and there was a slight wind so the reflection couldn't be perfect, but it's still good enough.


The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI Lens/BlacKeys Monochrome Film. Some minor adjustments were done in Photoshop CS4.

Also for those who didn't see my other post - I am hosting a giveaway on my blog. I am giving away My Memories Photo Suite 2.0 to one random person. The ending of this giveaway is Sunday, 18th September at 10am EST and you can check it out here: My Memories Photo Suite 2.0 Giveaway

Take My Hand and Lead Me

Lincoln Center, New York

"There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs." Unknown

This photo was captured at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.

I have been in New York City for six years and even though I walked past the Lincoln Center several times, I have never actually cared to go look inside. Yes, I know it's really stupid.

A few days ago I was walking the Lincoln Center again and it was raining and we had no umbrellas so we had to seek shelter somewhere. I am so glad this was the place that sheltered us. I could not believe that it took me six years to visit the Lincoln Center and further more I couldn't believe that it had to be rain that actually pushed me to go in there or for that I am forever grateful to you, rain!

The Lincoln Center in New York is very grand. As soon as you see the stairs in the picture you will be immediately taken back into the 60's. I don't know if I was dizzy or not but in my head I was seeing beautiful women dressed up in gowns going to see the opera. 

For those who saw the Lincoln Center can agree with me that the building can betray you a little bit. From an exterior point of view, the building looks very modern and sleek. So one can never imagine that the decor inside is totally different. But that is exactly what I love in New York, you think you've seen it all and yet you've seen nothing.

This is the third stair photograph on this blog. The other two can be found here: Towards The Light and Up The Down Staircase 

P.S. In the next couple of days I will be hosting a fantastic giveaway so keep coming back so you won't miss it! 

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI Lens/BlacKeys Monochrome Film. Some minor adjustments were done in Photoshop CS4.

Emerging From the Clouds

34th Street, New York City

"The skyscraper establishes the block, the block creates the street, the street offers itself to man." Alan Bird

This upside-down photo (explanation below) was captured at 34th Street Manhattan, New York and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan. I don't know the name of the building or what purpose it serves, but as soon as I saw it I got this idea in my head that I am portraying here.


As mostly everyone knows New York is the city of giants. Everywhere you look you see tall buildings that for a child might seem to be touching the the sky. And I guess that is why someone, a long time ago came up with the term 'skyscraper'. They are grand to look at, an architectural feat and they are perfect for photography. Skyscrapers are photography subjects that don't move, they are not fickle and they don't complain and that's why all the photographers I know find it enjoyable photographing these giant structures.

Yes, the picture is upside down. I flipped it that way on purpose. But what is the purpose? When I was walking by and looked up at this New York Skyscraper, in an instant, it brought out the kid in me and even if it was just a brief moment, I actually believed that it was touching the sky.  


If you look at the right hand side of tower panel and go to the bottom, you will notice that it's like the skyscraper is actually emerging from the sky and being build towards the earth.Most skyscrapers have a huge base for a solid foundation but this one has a small base and the higher it goes, the bigger it gets (in the photography, not in real life) It also resembles our life which is almost composed of building blocks. In whatever we do, we start small and work hard to achieve that bigger goal.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI Lens/BlacKeys Monochrome Film. Some minor adjustments were done in Photoshop CS4 including the Black and White conversion.

Chaotic Order

Lincoln Center, New York City

"Chaos and order are not enemies, only opposite." Richard Garriott

This photo was captured at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York and is part of the Hipstamatic photography series of New York, Manhattan.


It was late in the morning when we were walking around here. It was a beautiful cold, rainy winter day. Those are two attributes that make New York look more beautiful and perfect for Black and White photography. Usually this recreation area is bustling with people but on this particular day it was totally deserted. There was something really peaceful about it.


I couldn't help but notice the symmetry of the trees and the chaos of the chairs. It's like nature is showing us how perfect it is and how chaotic we human beings are. It's almost like an epidemic hit New York and everyone's gone in a hurry trying to run for their lives.


Originally this photo was shot in color but I converted it to Black and White to make it look more dramatic. Converting to Black and White also brought out an emphasis on the line of light you see where the trees on both sides meet which is in the center of the photo.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI Lens/BlacKeys Monochrome Film. Some minor adjustments were done in Photoshop CS4.

Towards The Light

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

 

 

Plato

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

I still remember the first time I came to New York and looking up towards those buildings I couldn't see any beauty. Actually I thought they were rather ugly. My eyes were accustomed to the pale limestone color that they use for buildings in my country, Malta. 

A few years have gone by since I first set foot in Manhattan, New York and nowadays I can't stop looking at these architectural masterpieces. Whether it's just a red stone, or a black fire-escape ladder I always see something interesting and worth to be collected into my photography archives. 


New York is the city of dreams. Many come here to achieve their dreams, to walk towards the light, the highlight of their life. But I am also sure that New York shatters many dreams too and drags people to a dark pit. But no matter what, we should not be afraid in seeking the light. After-all what's the worst thing that could happen?


So whether you are a model trying to make it happen or maybe a photographer who is trying to build that terrific photography portfolio or maybe an accountant who is trying to make it into the big leagues, New York has something to offer to you. Just don't miss the opportunity because in New York opportunities appear fast, but they vanish even faster.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI Lens/BlacKeys Monochrome Film. Some minor adjustments were done in Photoshop CS4.

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.

 

Laundry Day

Upper West Side, New York City

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

I always look forward for laundry day. I like noticing how every person is different and you can see that when they are folding clothes, waiting for washing machine to stop or while their clothes are getting dry. Some just walk back and forth, some just sit down and stare at the clock, others read or play with their cellphone and finally there are some who get creative while waiting!

New York will always keep you guessing. It makes you alert of your surroundings and people watching is perfect in this city that never sleeps. Every individual has a story in New York. Some tell it by words, others tell it by actions.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were John S/Pistil/Cherry Shine. Some minor editing was done in 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.

Love

Riverside Park, New York City

"There is only one happiness in life -- to love and to be loved." George Sand

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

I was doing my daily morning walk and as I was going through this tunnel I came across this inscription in a tunnel. The tunnel was dark but the inscription was brilliantly clear. It must have just been done. At first I was going to look at it, smile and just keep going but I couldn't resist not taking a Hipstamatic photo of it.

This is exactly why I love New York. The element of surprise never seems to seize. New York is a big city but full of small details that you have to keep an open eye to see. Unfortunately a lot of people are too busy to be focusing on something minor, but it's those minor things that will leave an impact on our life and make us smile.

The settings on the Hipstamatic camera for this photography series were Lucifer VI Lens/BlacKeys SuperGrain Film.