Colors of New York City

New York City

“Every person on the streets of New York is a type. The city is one big theater where everyone is on display.” Jerry Rubin

This is my 84th photograph and I have never faced such dilemma. Today I couldn't decide whether to work with the color photograph or convert it to black and white. I liked both pictures and couldn't just pick one so for today we have a double entry...two versions of the same photograph.

One thing I instantly fell in love with when I first arrive in New York City was the architecture and the colors. Coming from a country where the buildings are bland and all limestone yellow this was beauty to me. I love the contrast that these beautiful buildings create...a red building with black fire escape ladders or darker buildings with white ladders. Add a beatiful clear blue sky, (or for a better effect I prefer a dull, greyish one) and the colors of the trees and you will be walking among art.

When I was younger, I never thought that it'd be possible to fall in love with a city, but New York City was love at first sight and it's the kind of love that will never die.

This photograph was shot with a compact camera. Editing, including the black and white conversion was done in PS CS4.

Melancholy

A Hallway, Malta

"A commencement is a time of joy. It is also a time of melancholy. But then again, so is life." Peter Tsongas

Everytime I look at this picture I can't help but feel a certain degree of sadness. The empty wall at the back, the three empty chairs, the off-center table and the fake plastic flowers vase all contribute to create a rather melancholic environment.

It's like someone has been waiting for someone and they never showed up. The room is always kept top notch in case that someone, someday decides to show up but for now they are still waiting. Even the room is not empty it still gives me the much dreaded feeling of the void.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Ascending

Fireworks Display, New York City

"Celebrate what you want to see more of." Thomas J.Peters

Today I am posting another picture in color and the second one in the Fireworks series. This picture, like the other picture was shot at Central Park for the New Year's Eve celebration.

I was just photographing fireworks as they come up and was not paying much attention to how they were turning out. When later, at home, I was looking at the pictures on my computer I realized that this one was my favorite fireworks picture.

It's very gradual - big to small, and brightest to darkest. I love abstract art and personally I think that fireworks on a perfect black night can be a pretty good example. All that bright color against the black canvas (the sky.)

As I said on the other fireworks picture, no you don't need to carry professional DSLRs to take perfect fireworks pictures. A semi-decent compact camera will do the job just fine.

This picture was not shot using my iPhone. It was shot using a very cheap compact camera that did a terrific job! Yeah you don't need to carry endless equipment with you to take picture of fireworks!

Past and Present

Valletta Waterfront, Malta

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" Helen Keller

A few years ago this place was out of bounds for pedestrians. It was neglected and a dangerous place. None of us bothered to go and we had no reason to either.

Today it's one of the most beautiful places in Malta. The buildings you see used to be stores during the Knights of St.John period. They are restored to high quality and turned into restaurants and bars. What once used to be the most deserted area in Malta is now the most frequented place for lunches and dinners. 

Looking on the other side, the view is impeccable (will post a picture soon) and you can see the ocean and the Three Cities. Sometimes, since Valletta has the main harbor, you will spot a gigantic cruise ship coming in and you would be thinking 'wow this ship is as big as this street.' That is true, this street is small but it packs a lot of heart and character. If you are a foodist, this is the place to be at to try different things.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Porte des Bombes

Porte des Bombes, Floriana, Malta

"A distant enemy is always preferable to one at the gate." Emile M.Cioran

This gate, which is situated right in the center of a main street is one of the main landmarks in Malta. Porte des Bombes (which literally means door to bombs) is nowadays an ornamental gate, but in the past it formed part of the outer defensive walls of Valletta. 

It was constructed in Baroque style between 1697 and 1720 during the reign of Fra Ramon Perellos who was the 64th Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta. During the 19th century, the British government dramatically altered the original design of the gate by adding a second archway to accommodate increasingly heavy traffic in the Grand Harbor area. A marble plaque was affixed to the newer arch, with the following inscription: "Ad majorem popoli accomodatum".

I originally wanted to stand right in the center but it's too dangerous as there is only a very narrow central strip that you can stand on. So I had to settle for a side picture which actually brought out the texture of the gate even more.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Let's Play Music

FOA Schwarz, New York City

"All I need is a big surfboard and a piano." Dennis Wilson

Do you remember the 1988 movie starring Tom Hanks called Big? If you do remember it, do you remember the scene where Tom Hanks stepped on a huge piano and starting running on it to play it?

This piano I have in the picture is that very same piano. It is now in a special room at FOA Schwarz in New York City. FOA is an enormous toy store and it's every child's dream come true. The first time I went to this shop and came across the piano I just had to ask whether it was the real thing or not. I instantly remembered the scene from Big. 

A couple years ago FOA Schwarz also started selling replicas of the piano for those die-hard fans of the movie or for those who have money to burn and decorate their house with one them.

While taking a picture of the piano is not difficult at all, taking pictures with children running on it is. As soon as a child steps on it they go berserk especially the very young ones who can't make the connection between walking, and while walking they are also making noise.

Here I managed to get a picture the way I wanted it. Something that shows movement but yet is static. You can see two kids walking and a parent supervising them in the background.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Simplicity

Valletta, Malta

"The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave." Thomas Jefferson

Today I am uploading a picture with nothing much to say about. I am keeping things simple for today. 

Basically what we are seeing here is a partial view of the capital city of Malta, Valletta. I took the picture from Senglea at the Gardjola Garden. Senglea is right opposite of Valletta and the views are impeccable. 

It had just stopped raining and the clouds were clearing up but I got the picture right on time before they all disappeared into nothingness. 

That opening between the edge of the city and the picture frame is where the cruise liners come in. We only have one main harbor in Malta and it's in Valletta.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Entities

Paola, Malta

"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

Am I the only one that thinks that this picture is most appropriate for Halloween? No it's not a haunted house. It's a church, the biggest church in Malta. It can be found in the town called Paola which is in the southern part of Malta.

What I love about this church is that if you look at it from a distance it looks like a space center. There is a series of smaller silver domes that make it interesting and worth looking at. Another thing that I have always wondered about is how many children can be fed even a structure like this was sold?

Anyway the interior of the church is pretty simple...it's somewhat modern and the interior doesn't compliment the exterior at all. 

The two rows of buildings that are visible in the picture are residential houses. Can you imagine living that close to a church with those huge bells jingling every hour even during the night?

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

A New Life to Create

Metropolitan Museum, New York City

"Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves." Adrienne Clarkson

Have you ever met anyone who said anything negative about stained glass? Well so far, I have not met that someone and I pray that I won't. 

I have always been fond of this type of art mainly because I am coming from a country that has a least one church in every town (sometimes even two or three) and these churches come with a lot of work of art, stained glass included.

This piece here in the picture is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There is a sense of mysticism surrounding it and I have felt close to it since the very first time I saw it. I have to admit though, that the place it's located at makes it seem a little out of place but on the other hand that is what makes it more eye catching. You just can't miss it. Imagine you are walking around glass enclosures with small glass pieces exhibited and then right in front of you, you see this enormous stained glass piece.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Perfection

Met Museum of Art, New York City

"Break a vase, and the love that reassembles the fragments is stronger than that love which took its symmetry for granted when it was whole." Derek Walcott

Today I am posting another picture that was shot at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

For those who have never set foot in here, telling you that this museum is enormous is an understatement. To give you an idea of how grand it is I am posting this picture. On the right hand side you can see a couple enjoying an exhibit. They look like tiny dots compared to the structure of the building. The design and architecture of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is immaculate. It has perfect symmetry.

The picture was shot from the first floor right in the center which is right on top of the Information Center. From here you can get a full view of the whole ground floor. 

This museum will always be close to my heart as it's my main source of inspiration. Going here with my muse is the ultimate inspirational experience. It floods my mind with ideas which sometimes can be overwhelming but enjoyable nonetheless.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Futuristic

Midtown, New York City

"May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future" Unknown

I must have walked across this building a hundred times and never actually cared to look up. This area (around 32nd Street) is so busy that if you stop to admire the area be prepared to get walked over. Yes I am exaggerating but I am sure most of you know how busy the Midtown area is.

When I took this picture it was raining so the streets were not that busy and after beating myself up after I realized what I have been missing I took out my iPhone and snapped a picture. This particular building is surrounded by a lot of old New York City buildings so this design really does catch your eye (if only it was not high up.)

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Center of Gravity

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

This is the first time I came across the quote included with the picture and I have to say I am truly happy I found it. It's very true, both to stained-glass and to people.

This picture was shot at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I forgot which part it was at but I can still remember the intricate details in this beautiful ceiling. It's so precise that it's almost mesmerizing. I wanted to take a picture from right under it but since the chandelier is hanging so low it was not possible.

The contrast in the room when you visit is like the contrast in the picture. The room is somewhat dark and then you look up and see this burst of light, colorful burst of light.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Monochromatic

Upper West Side, New York City

"The universe is built on a plan the profound symmetry of which is somehow present in the inner structure of our intellect." Paul Valery

I am dying to leave this picture up to you to judge what it is but then probably you will think it's a million things so I will do the job easier and just go ahead and say what is it.

This is the facade of a building on the Upper West Side in New York City very close to the new Apple Store that's on Broadway.

It boasts different textures and different shades of grey, white and black and the metal pins are metal. Surprisingly enough this facade in the picture always looks different according to the time of day. I have seen it several times at different moments and personally I think it looks best on a rainy day. But by now you know me and you know I prefer rainy days over hot summery days.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Clean City

High-Line, New York City

"Be strong in body, clean in mind, lofty in ideals." James Naismith

The newly refurbished and recently opened part of the High-Line in New York City. The designers did an excellent job and putting together textures and lines together while also incorporating some green for the environmental conscious people (which should be all of us.)

It's so very well done and clean that while you are walking here you'd forget you are actually in one of the world's biggest cities and that's another thing I love about New York City. Even though you are in the city, you can go places that will make you forget you are actually in New York. A couple of good examples are the above mentioned High-Line, the Cloisters and Central Park.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Ready, Set, Go

79th Street, New York City

"This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are." Plato

Not much to say about this picture except that for some reason it is one of my favorites. The location is 79th Street in New York City on a rainy day. You can see some snow that's melting away.

The drivers are anxiously waiting for the pedestrian lights to switch as probably waiting for a few seconds will make them late for some sort of meeting. I am sure if it was legal, New York City would be a real life version of Carmageddon. 

The church is the First Baptist Church in New York City. It has been standing there since 1891. George M. Keister designed it. He also designed the popular Apollo Theater. I have never been inside the church so I can't really say whether it's beautiful or not.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Mary in the Corner

Marsa, Malta

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo Galilei

This is one of those pictures that you will only understand if you are coming from a Catholic freak country. 

For all those who are not (I envy you), I will try my best to explain what you see here.

This picture was shot in Malta at a location called Marsa. Marsa is certainly not the most sought after place in Malta and definitely not the place to be at at any time. Besides a power plant that's right in the center of houses (which is creating black dust all over the country), Marsa is also infested with illegal immigrants coming from all parts of Africa. Not exactly a safe neighborhood but in the morning it is safe enough to go down there and shoot a couple of interesting pictures.

In the corner, in this picture, we see a statue of Holy Mary. These sights are very common in Malta...so common that us locals tend to not see them. It's hilarious though when sometimes you are riding with a religious freak and he/she makes the sign of the cross in front of every religious statue they see. Experience it once and you will never be the same again.

What baffles me here is the state of the houses. You'd expect them to fall any minute and frankly I am surprised they haven't yet. Seriously how can you still be a believer if you spend your life living in a run down block with a Holy Mary statue in the corner? These people either have divine faith or they simply don't know any better. 

To see all the details in the picture (for example an A/C in the balcony next to Holy Mary) please full view the picture.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Linear

High-Line, New York City

"Architecture is inhabited sculpture." Constantin Brancusi

This is probably a sight that is in my top 3 favorites sights in New York City. It's modern versus old at it's best. Once again I am posting a picture that's shot from the newly refurbished High-Line in New York City (more information can be found here). 

The three buildings you see in the picture are all apartment buildings. They are so different and yet they look so good next to teach other. I can only think about the spectacular views the inhabitants can enjoy from the top floor, with one side being the Hudson River and on the other side you have the city.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

To the Cross

Kalkara, Malta

"War is the cemetery of futures promised." John Cory

I have been visiting this cemetery since I was a little kid. There is a very nice scenic walk around it and every Sunday we used to go there with the family to walk along the ocean. Today I am a grown up and every now and then I still feel the urge to go and walk there. 

I have always found this particular place alluring. The cemetery is now neglected. It is mostly full with Maltese people who died from the Cholera before and during WWII. People have pleaded for it to be restored and be taken care of as it's considered as a historical site. All pleads have gone unanswered. 

Please note that I have added the grain in the sky on purpose to make the picture more dramatic. 

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Lady in Red

Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York City

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." Gwyneth Paltrow

Today we go back to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This picture was shot this summer and you might ask why all the umbrellas and winter clothes. We had a bout of cold weather and a few days of non stop rain. 

As most of know the Metropolitan Museum of Art is quite a busy place with tourists and locals alike. But it's very rare to see lines like these waiting to go in there to see something. So what was the occasion? The occasion was the magnificent fashion display of Alexander McQueen. Thousands of thousands of people waited for endless hours to get in and I am sure they were not disappointed. It was also written down as the most popular exhibition that ever visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I couldn't help but notice the woman in red. It was a dark and dreary day and automatically people wear dark clothes so when someone decides to wear something that doesn't go with the flow it instantly captures your eyes. This was the case we see here in this picture.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV

Scaffolding of Life

Upper West Side, New York City

"The architecture of our future is not only unfinished; the scaffolding has hardly gone up." George Lamming

I still remember vividly my very first time in New York City and how I always refused to walk underneath any type of scaffolding. Today it seems hilarious but I quite understand why I did it. I always feared that they would fall on me and lets face it, it's not a very nice scene if that happens.

Today I am very confident. Sometimes, like every New Yorker I don't even realize I am walking under a scaffolding. They are a common sight in New York City and I don't think New York could be New York without these giant structures. 

Besides the symmetry (which was always a subject close to my heart) what I love in this picture are the people doing their activities of daily living. One is paying the meter, another is probably waiting for someone, while the couple in the center are happily strolling away. These are people are certainly not like me when I first arrived in New York City. I thought it's better to get hit by car rather than being squished by some metal structure. Today I am glad I am more rational!

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV