The Girl Waiting For the Bus

Midtown Manhattan

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known" Carl Sagan

I was never particularly good in shooting candid street portraits mainly because of the fear of someone snapping at me and embarrassing me but often times I can't resist. This was the case in this photo.

This young woman was waiting in the same bus shelter we were waiting at. She looked like she just got up from her bed and rushed out but she looked beautiful nonetheless. It always fascinates me how some women, even if they try to look bad, they still look amazing, while others no matter how hard they try to look good, they still don't. Some or blessed than the others I guess.

Anyway this photo was shot very close to Macy's which in my opinion is even more chaotic than Times Square but I just love the area. If you have an artist block just head down there and you will quickly overcome it.

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.

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.

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.