Grand Chandelier

First of all I would like apologize for the delay in posting something new. I am afraid I don't have any particular excuse this time except that I was away for a few days. London was the destination.

I remember the first time I set foot in the city of London, I didn't quite like it and I could not see why people go crazy about it. Five visits later and I can't get enough of it. The same thing happened with New York City. The first visit I just wanted to get on a plane and come back to Malta. Now I can't get enough of both.

I honestly believe that this last visit was the best London visit so far. We stayed in the heart of Mayfair and while I did enjoy shopping, the best thing was roaming and discovering new streets by walk. We saw things that were off the beaten path and ate at restaurants that I am sure we wouldn't have found if we stayed at our usual touristic area.

Anyway enough praising (even though it's not even close to enough for me). This grand glass chandelier, which I have seen for the very first time in my life (thanks to my special partner) can be found at the entrance of the Victoria and Albert museum. I was so shocked (in a good way) when I saw it that I almost cried and I couldn't move. I have never seen anything like it in my whole life and it will stay imprinted in my mind for a very long time, if not forever.

There is something that makes color seem special in London. Maybe because of the weather? Maybe because it's dark almost all the time. So as soon as you see something as magnificent as this chandelier, your brain will instantly take a mental picture and will store it forever.

This photograph was taken using a Canon 40D with a 60mm macro lens. It was converted to black and white and edited using Photoshop CS4.

Vintage Flowers

It's been quite a while since I posted on this blog. I was busy and I am finally enjoying some freedom at least (or at least I hope so).

The flowers in the photograph were found at one of the Deli's in New York City and I was using my iPhone. I wanted to get closer but since I didn't have a macro lens with me this is as close as I could get. I gave the photograph the vintage look using Photoshop and what you see is just a mixture of purple, red and pink.

You can buy this print in an 8x8 size by going to my Etsy shop: Vintage Flowers or if you want to see my other prints please go here: My Etsy Shop

Majestic

What better landmark can describe New York City if not the famous Empire State Building? I wonder if there any tourists who visited New York City and missed seeing this wonderful piece of architecture.

This black and white photograph of the Empire State Building has been sitting on my hard drive for some time now so I decided to bring it out and include it in my blog.

I still remember the very first time I saw the building, and being up there. I wish I could erase the experience from my mind and do it all over again. I have never felt so absolute and minor compared to this humongous building. It is a building so simple, yet so grand that there is no sore eye that can't look it and say 'Wow that's beautiful!'

New York City is one of those cities that you can't help fall in love over and over again with every corner you turn. There is always something to see. It's the city where dreams come true (and I am sure also the city where a lot of dreams are shattered, but lets not think about that.)

This black and white photograph was shot using a Canon 40D. It was edited and converted using Photoshop CS4.

San Remo From Central Park

From the very first time I've seen this building I was fascinated by it and I didn't even know who lives in it yet!

Almost everywhere you walk in Central Park you could see it. You could see it there standing like a giant amongst the trees. Whether it's a cloudless clear day or a stormy sky, the San Remo building looks in character. It screams New York City, the posh life in New York City.

I took this black and white photograph last Summer on my last day visiting the fantastic city. For some reason, the photos I take on the last week or day are the photos that I hold close to my heart. I know this one is not one of my best black and white photographs but still I felt like showing it, as the San Remo building is one of my favorite in all of New York City (have a I said that already?)

This photo was taken using a compact Samsung camera. Edited and converted to black and white using Photoshop CS4.

Serenity

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

"Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence." Buddha

 

From the very first time I've seen this statue I felt enthralled to take a photo of it. I've tried several times only to be disappointed but then I realized that this statue was so beautiful that it takes a master to be able to photograph it up to its standards. So I settled to this one which is much better than the previous ones I've shot.

The light falls beautifully on the statue and it almost makes it feel that it's real. I could not stop staring at it. The shadow that the light is creating behind it looks like wings coming out from the back. It looks exactly that way if you see in real life...the same as you see it in the photograph.

Of all the Buddhas I've seen, for some reason or another I prefer the slim and slender ones. In my opinion they look more serene and graceful. I have nothing against big-boned people, it's just a matter of opinion when it comes to Buddha.

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.

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.

By Bicycle

New York City

"The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine." John Howard

Some might consider New York City as not a bicycle safe city but others tend to think differently. What I think is that bicyclists (especially deliver men) are as dangerous on the road as taxi drivers.

So far I have never driven a bicycle in New York City so I can't really give it a review but from what I see, driving one in Central Park must be fun. I would think twice before I go out driving one on the road though even if there are bicycle lanes available.

Anyway as you can see bicycles are the subject of this photograph that I shot last summer. I often see a lot of them parked in my neighborhood and it never occurred to me that they can actually look nice in a photograph until I shot this one.

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.

The Garbage Can at Night

Upper West Side, New York City

"Night is certainly more novel and less profane than day." Henry David Thoreau

I was walking back home after a whole day of rain when I captured this photograph. To be honest it was intended to be more of a tourist photograph if you know what I mean, but I ended up with light streaks and the light from the pedestrians reflecting on the wet asphalt. It ended up being a photograph that I enjoyed looking at.

And that is one thing, as I always said before, that baffles me about New York City...that even photographing an almost empty street focusing on a trash can turn out to be beautiful. The element of surprise never seizes in New York City.

I shot this photograph with a cheap Samsung camera and I had to do it fast because it was freezing cold outside. I had no tripod and nothing to place my camera on. Considering that a lot of elements were against me I consider myself lucky to have ended up with a photograph like this.

Times Square

Times Square, New York City

"Chaos is the score upon which reality is written." Henry Miller

Have you ever wondered what being in a video game felt like? Wonder no more and just head to the marvelous Times Square. I would suggest going in the evening as in my opinion, in the evening, Times Square is even more colorful than the daytime.

Times Square is the heart of New York City and while tourists flock to it to see the grandeur, New Yorkers tend to avoid it unless they really need to be there. At first I couldn't understand how could someone would want to avoid Times Square but in time I began to realize the real reason. 

I shot this photograph using a cheap Samsung compact camera. Some minor editing was done using Photoshop CS4. This time I didn't want to convert to black and white as Times Square is all about color!

Playing Field

Central Park, New York City

"You've achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what you're doing is work or play." Warren Beatty

This was one of those rare moments that I have visited the park and this area was completely empty. It was around Labor day and most New Yorkers leave town and I honestly believe that this is the best time to visit New York City. 

The city is quiet, not much traffic and the few people that stay around are those who are relaxed so you can forget all about chaotic New York City. 

This playing area in the photograph is the one that is somewhere closet to 85th Street on the West Side. It's usually full of children or grown ups swinging and playing.

I shot this photograph using my iPhone with the Hipstamatic App. Settings were Ina 1969/John S. Some minor editing was done in Photoshop CS4.

The Great Lawn

Central Park, New York City

"Big cities are chaotic. And chaos for humans - who have experience from their ancestors - is the last step before conflict. So, in the park, every kind of visual contradiction has been eliminated." John Hench

This is the Great Lawn that can be found in Central Park, New York City and I can tell you right now that if you want the best views in New York City then you better come here. 

You can look 360 degrees around you, and you will be able to see the East Side, the West Side, up North and even Midtown. Early in the mornings during the week it's usually empty as you can see in the photograph but during the weekend it gets quite busy with baseball players.

In this photograph on the far right we can see the famous San Remo residential building and on the far left, the small building is the famous Marionette building.

Metal and Nature

Riverside Park, New York City

"An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards." John Locke

Today I am posting another photograph that was shot at Riverside Park. This is the third in the series. Love and Age vs Matter were also photographed at this beautiful park which is often over-looked because of Central Park.

This bridge can be seen somewhere around 75th Street and the last time I was walking there it caught my eye. Metal, trees and water puddles all come together to form chaotic symmetry which in my opinion is beautiful.

The color of the metal beams in the photograph are green...almost the same color as the tree on the side and that is why I converted it to black and white so it will create contrast and distinction. 

I think that Riverside Park offers more opportunity for photographs then Central Park. At Riverside Park you have that one thing that can't be beaten...water.

This photograph was shot using a cheap compact camera then converted to black and white using PS CS4.

New York Taxi

New York City Taxi

If, in New York, you arrive late for an appointment, say, "I took a taxi" Andre Maurois

Sometimes I wonder how would New York City look like if the iconic yellow cab didn't exist. Probably the streets will be less crowded and less crazy driving. But can New York City survive without these yellow hell on wheels?

This photograph was shot from the middle of the street while crossing...lights were red for cars. I didn't have time to frame the car but lucky for me it turned out to be in the exact place I wanted it to be. Being spontaneous sometimes works best.

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

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.

First Snow

New York City

"When snow falls, nature listens." Antoinette van Kleeff

Finally, after a long brutal summer winter is approaching. When I was younger I loathed cold rainy days but now that I am getting older I am realizing that there is nothing nicer than a cold wintry day. Summers are just too brutal and I don't understand how I used to love them so much.

This photograph was taken on a typical New York City street. It had snowed the day before so the snow was still pure white. As everyone who has experienced snow knows that it gets dirty pretty fast and it's not a nice scene. The white becomes all shades of gray with the occasional shade of yellow.

That's why the first snow fall is my favorite. To see an entire city covered in white is something beautiful in my opinion. It also occurred to me that maybe I love snow this much only because I don't drive and I don't have to shovel anything off my path.

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

Union at Night

Union Square, New York City

 "Night time is really the best time to work.  All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep. " Catherine O'Hara

I believe this is the first time I am posting a photograph of Union Square. Union Square is the kind of place that changes its skin at night. In the morning it's all suited up people coming and going to work, but at night, all the weirdest people come out to play and that's exactly why I love this place.

I remember the first time I've been to Union Square at night, I went there to take some photographs but I was shocked with the difference that I just couldn't do anything but look. I fell in love instantly how free the people sitting at the square were. They were not giving a damn what anybody things of them. They were just being them!

Best day to visit is probably Friday, even though Saturday's can be good too. The area is full of good restaurants and nice shopping areas so there is plenty to do.

This  photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were John S/Kodot XGrizzled

Gothic

St.Patrick's Cathedral, New York City

"I love the description of Gothic churches before the printed word, that they were the bibles of the poor." John McGahern

Before I set foot for the first time in New York City I believed everyone who said that the USA doesn't have beautiful churches. Today, I pity everyone who says so as they are clearly wrong.

New York City has two of grandest cathedrals, St.Patrick's and St.John the Divine Cathedral. While I have never seen the St.John Cathedral, I have been to the St.Patrick's Cathedral several times and everytime I go in there it always feels like it's my first time.

My best experience was last year during Christmas time. We went in there in the evening and there was choir practice. The sound coming from the organ was so beautiful and haunting that I couldn't move. It was a total Gothic experience. Yeah I know this is Neo-Gothic but it's so well made that it's hard to believe that it wasn't build by the real Gothic masters.

iPhone photography is kind of difficult here as it's somewhat dark but with a little patience and using the praying benches as tripods I managed to get some good photographs during the last few years.

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