Right Turn on Broadway

Manhattan, New York City

I can't believe that we are about to celebrate another Christmas Eve. It only feels like yesterday that we were celebrating the last one. How does time go by so fast?

Yes, I have not been uploading photos everyday. This month has been a chaotic one with work, a new apartment and lots of shopping. The blog has been on my mind all the time and it now looks like I am pick up its pace again.

I took this photograph last December in New York City. Nothing really out of the ordinary. I just like the contrast and feel to it. 

This photo was shot using my Samsung compact camera and this is the first photo on my blog that hasn't been edited at all.

One last thing before I close this is that I wish a very big HAPPY CHRISTMAS to my followers and readers and I hope you will have a wonderful time.

Christmas Window

Lower East Side, New York City

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." Norman Vincent Peale

Another year, another Christmas. I can't believe how fast time went by and then again time doesn't wait for anyone. 


This beautiful window (the photograph doesn't do it any justice) was found on the Lower West Side very close to the Highline. It's an enormous window and the wreath was wonderful made from fresh pine.


I am myself not a big fan of Christmas decorations and I try to keep it simple but when I see a nicely decorated house it always makes me question myself and I always promise myself that next Christmas I will get into decorations...only to fail year after year.

This photograph was shot using my Samsung compact camera. It was then converted to black and white using PS CS4.

The Man

New York City

"Color can do anything that black-and-white can." Vincente Minnelli 

This was one of those random photographs I love to snap then I try to find a story behind each one. In this photograph the main subject is the man. I feel like there is no need to explain which man I am talking about.

What is he thinking about? Why is he looking at the sidewalk? As soon as you look at him these questions pop in your head and there is no way that I am going to an answer unless by some weird chance I meet him again.

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 Reason to Celebrate

Fireworks in New York City

Today marks a special milestone for this blog...this is my 100th picture and I thought it was appropriate to have another fireworks photograph. 

Like the other two photographs I have posted in the past, these photographs were shot on New Year's Eve in Central Park. The weather was perfect and we had the perfect spot. There was not the slightest wind, therefore the fireworks display was immaculate.

Anyway, what I started last summer is still going strong, with 100 posts and 12,000 views. Once again I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my subscribers and followers to keep encouraging me in continuing my journey.

Nostaliga

Valletta, Malta

"Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity." Robert Morgan

Another photograph in the Valletta series. I am ashamed to say that I don't know anything about those two moments in the photograph. All I know is that the garden that they are set in is wonderful. 

The garden can be found just before you enter the capital city. The area used to be a bus terminus (the main one) but with some latest changes, the bus terminus moved and it was a very good choice.

This photograph was shot using my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done using PS CS4.

Strait Street

Strait Street, Valletta

What you see in this photograph is a part of what could be the most notorious street in Malta. It is also one of my favorite streets and I wish I could go back in time to see it in its glory as I am almost sure that there is no possibility that it will be revived. So what's so special about Strait Street?

After WWII, when Malta was a British Colony, Strait Street was packed with bars and dancing clubs. It was also packed with all kind of sin. Prostitution was big here and it was something that the sailors loved. I never tire of hearing my grandma reliving her old days (mind you, she was not a prostitute) of dancing the night away and going back home drunk. 

Most of the banners for bars and clubs are still there today. You can see one in this photograph called Tico Tico. I am glad the banners and signs survived all this time and I hope that they won't be removed. Who said people didn't know how to have fun back then huh? I think fun was more pure than nowadays and I will give anything I have to at least go back in time even if it's just for a day.

This 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.

Republic Street

Republic Street, Malta

"A man in the house is worth two in the street." Mae West

Five is my favorite number and when I took this photograph I realized that right in front of me there were five people walking in line right in front of me. It's a coincidence, but it's a nice one.

This is the main street in Malta's capital city, Valletta and it's called Republic Street. It's a really old city that was built by the Knights of St.John and it still features a lot of things that go way back then. The new streets were done a few years ago and I like the element of it. It mixes well with the old historical buildings.

As far as Valletta goes, I usually prefer to get off main streets and go to less frequented ones. There are more subjects to photograph and the back streets are usually very narrow but pack a lot of heart.

I shot this photograph using my iPhone and the Hipstamatic app. Some editing was done using PS CS4.

Misere II

Vittoriosa, Malta

"After a storm comes a calm." Matthew Henry

A continuation with the photograph I posted yesterday which you can find here Misere. For those who don't know misere is in Latin and means mercy. I always thought it was a profound and suitable name for really dense clouds...the reason? I don't really know.

This 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.

Misere

Vittoriosa, Malta

"After a storm comes a calm." Matthew Henry

I shot this photograph today using my iPhone whole I was out smoking a cigarette. It was so windy that I only had a few seconds to capture it. The formation of the clouds was amazing with the huge gaping hole on the right hand side showing nothing but perfect blue sky.

Since I thought that this photograph was pretty dramatic, while editing it I decided to add grain to it to continue adding to the drama. For some reason I always thought that grain adds a more dramatic effect especially to black and white photographs.

This 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.