Three hundred feet above the President

StreetObservations.com - With the excitement of the elimination of Bin Laden, President Obama made a visit to Ground Zero to greet the families of those stricken on 9/11.  As it happens, my workplace happens to overlook this landmark.  It is a fantastic view of the site, but is 32 floors above, which is pretty high up.  

Here what the view generally looks like (FYI - this series of pictures is best viewed large, just click it for the big version).   This shot was taken in March.  The primary building here is One World Trade Center (originally called the Freedom Tower) which will eventually be 1776 high, that is about 3 to 4 times the height which it was here.  As I write this it is a bit higher (about 63 stories). 

A group of workers from our office stood along the windows waiting for Obama to arrive.  The time wasn't completely certain so it took a couple of visits amidst other work before there was activity. 

Even if the President was down there, I wasn't certain that I would be able to clearly identify which one might him.  I recall a visit to Ground Zero by Queen Elizabeth.  I rattled off 50 photos focused on a woman in pink, certain that I had captured her, until I watched the Nightly News and saw that she was clad in yellow.  

The first signs of pre-Presidential activity was an awareness of sharpshooters setting up on the nearby roofs.    

It was helpful that there was a live feed of the President's motorcade on CNN visible on the computers in our office, so we were able to correlate the real events with the "perceived".  Eventually, the roads grew still and the cars appeared on the West Side highway.  It is believed that Obama was in the big black van here at the very far right of the picture.  

Meanwhile down below, some bleachers had been constructed the day before for the seating of the families.  The main event was the laying of a special wreath.  The families waited.  

The car moved into the center of the plaza.  This gave the appearance that he would emerge from there.  Everyone up on the 32nd floor focused on this car, snapping away with our cameras. 

But we had been fooled, as a minute later, this group of dignitaries was spotted further down. The CNN feed confirmed that this was the President here.  Besides Obama, the group behind was NJ Governor Christie, NY Governor Cuomo, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and the head of the MTA (I think that's who he was).  Even though my Canon 40D is a decent camera, my zoom 135mm lens was overmatched and even after cropping the picture, the 32 floors proved to be a bit much for getting an upclose shot.   

He approached the reception line.

Then he began shaking hands individually.   

He walked the wreath over to place on a pedestal.  

At this point, we had been waiting/watching the tiny little folks below for about 45 minutes.  I had delayed a business meeting to watch, but it became slightly boring.  And, it was time to leave for the meeting.  I assume he got out of there okay.

Heroes

There was a dramatic moment. So, I heard the woman saying, "Are you lost?"  I turned and saw the little girl who was crying.  The woman said stay with me.  A crowd gathered to help look for her family. 

This was the moment the man spotted her father at the other end of the park. The woman asked, "Are you sure that's your daddy?".  She said yes, and then slow started running to her waiting family. I was very impressed by how nicely the strangers handled this... remaining calm and being responsible. A very nice moment. They were really heroes.

 

Steam Heat

StreetObservations.com - I should have known this... having worked in Manhattan for more than 20 years, but it just occurred to me that in New York City frequently there is smoke, or steam, rising from the earth.  This is particularly true in the winter.  

It makes for good photographs, but I was suddenly curious about what causes this phenomenon.  There is a detailed explanation on Wikipedia which reveals this is caused by an underground steam heat system.  There are plants that create the steam and it travels the many blocks underneath the New York City streets generating heating, cooling and power.  This all started way back in 1882. 

The steam does provide a bit of drama to the street scene, kind of apocalyptic in some ways.  There are spouts, grates, and unplanned leak spots where the smoke escapes.  Here are some looks:

I parked at the spot below for 5 minutes or so with my iPhone as people walked by.  This one kind of looked to me like the smoke from a sprinter starter out of the blocks.  

Below is another one where I waited for a bit.  This guy was skating by. 

Looks like this guy got a "hot foot". 

I spent some time playing around with effects on this one below. 

Looks like heaven below. 

Lamp silhouette.

Traffic steam.

Venice from the Sea

StreetObservations.com - I assembled a series of photographs taken from the cruise ship as we departed Venice a few months ago.  I was surprised that the path leaving the city took us directly past San Marco and the other prime sites.  

It was near dusk, so the lights were just starting to come out.  You can see the progression of the darkness from one picture to another.  The picture of the plaza at San Marco seems to me like it could have been taken 100 years ago or more and still look the same.  

Also, now disconnected from the ship, it strikes me how high up the view from the ship is, almost like we're flying over the city.   

Vantage Point

Parking

Up the Canal

Cafe

Gondolier at Dusk

San Marco

Moving Out

Yacht

Just a bit of snow...

I know there has been more snow than people care for in this part of the country lately.  While my commute in to Manhattan from the suburbs has been slippery and challenging, once in the city it actually is not that bad.  The ground is clean (although not dry) and it's not bad getting around.  

That doesn't mean that the snow hasn't impacted other people.  There are a number of cars that were not so fortunate and found themselves trapped, buried behind the snow.  

Buried Car

Buried Auto

Below is Stone Street.  Cars are always absent and generally this is a cobblestoned pedestrian mall filled with cafe tables.  Since it lacked a purpose in the snow, no effort was made to clear the street. 

 Street of No Cafes

But life continues on.  This woman was camped out at a table in Zuccotti Park sipping a Smoothie.  Her seat may have been colder than her drink. 

Desperate for a Smoothie

These guys had their priorities straight, and running out to get a coffee was top of their list.  

Coffee Run

The Wall Street area was also covered, as was the statue of George Washington in front of the Federal Hall national monument where he took the oath of office.  Somehow, the snow gave him a bit of a flair as he looked rather stylish.  

Frosted Washington

And behind the very same building, there was a cleanup effort in place although those steps are not used much.

National Monument Cleanup

That's it but there is more snow on the way.   

Mykonos Compositions

The island of Mykonos in Greece is one of the most inspiring photographic locations I have ever been.  The white buildings are accented by colorful banisters and shutters.  The narrow streets are mostly without cars.  You are in the middle of everything and very close to your surroundings.  This leads to a different type of composition than the street photography I usually do.  

Here are some of the Mykonos closeups:

Centered BanisterRed Door with KeyWeathered StepsTrophy DoorBlue BanistersWelcome

Laundry Line Photography

When looking for photographic subjects, it seems to me that laundry lines make a colorful and interesting composition. It is also like getting a personal look at those who do the hanging.   Here are some Italian, Croatian and Greek laundry hangings.  It is a unifying characteristic across the globe (although not so much in New York City, except in old movies, or the outer boroughs).

Venice Laundry

Greek Laundry

Croatian Laundry

Clothes Pins

An American Cat in Split Croatia

Top 10 Photographs of 2010

StreetObservations.com - Ah, the Top 10 Photographs I've taken in the year 2010, what were they?  I continue my annual exercise of using the extra days off at the end of the year (and then some) to go through all the pictures I've taken from January to December and select my top 10.  Only 10, no more, no less.  This leads to some tough decisions, as I've come to know and admire many of the shots over the course of the year (as well as some of the people in the photos... known or unknown).  But, because I am a disciplined person, somewhat obsessively detailed and stubborn, and because now it's a ritual, I must continue the tradition. 

There are two developments this year in the equipment category.  First off, I have a new wide angle lens (F2.8 17-55mm... for those who care) that has added a broader dimension to some of the photos (particularly #5 and #6 below). I purchased this in preparation for a trip I took in Venice and Greece.  Secondly, there are two shots that were taken with an iPhone.  These are photos I never would have been able to take, because I wouldn't have had a camera with me. 

Here they are presented in sequence as taken over the course of the year. (Click to picture to see it larger). Some of the pictures have been previously discussed in my StreetObservations.com blog. Clicking (More...) will take you back to those entries.

1. Free Colonial Concert - This is one of the iPhone shots.  I was walking up Wall Street and noticed the "orchestra" at the foot of the George Washington statue.  I rattled off about six shots, but this one captured a sense of irony as the red coats below nonchalantly pass by.  This shot was "short listed" for the EYE'EM awards presented for mobile device photography.  (More...)

Free Colonial Concert

2. Crossroads - This was taken from the steps of the TKTS office in Times Square looking south.  I patiently waited as the news zipper moved along.  I was looking for key words to freeze upon.  I think the word "NEWS" was appropriate.  This picture was included in a slideshow about the "World's Worst Traffic Jams" on the TravelandLeisure.com website.  It was selected to represent New York City.   (More...)

Crossroads - Times Square traffic chaos

3. Thirty Years Later - A bus passes and a young woman transitions to her future self (her umbrella does become more stylish as she ages).  A slow shutter speed made the bus blur.  The thought is that this is a comparison of two women at different times in their life.  

Thirty Years Later

4. Crossing with Twins - Another iPhone shot. My wife noticed them as they prepared to cross Sixth Avenue.  It was Fleet Week in New York. 

Cross with Twins - Fleet Week Marine with twin daughters

5. Brooklyn Bound - From the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge. Someone thought this was an HDR photograph, which is a technical technique that merges multiple photos to even out the light.  But, it was a cloudy day which made everything balanced (not HDR).  I did do some work to bring out the detail in the clouds though. 

Brooklyn Bound - Brooklyn Bridge taxi below the New York City skyline

6. Determined - I was attracted to the corner of the building and the lighting.  I took about 20 pictures of different combinations of people.  The conviction of this guy's walk and the bright color of his shirt made this one memorable.  It was one of my most popular pictures on Flickr this year. 

Determined

 7. Gondolier Glimpse - Walking the alleys in Venice.  A quick reaction as the boat passed by under the bridge.  Three shots and this one was just right.   (More...)

Gondolier Glimpse - Venice gondola

8. Venice Alley - Something about the way laundry is hung within alleys brings out the old world feeling in this remote part of Venice. 

Venice Alley

9. Returning Home - On the Greek island of Mykonos, there is a mix of tourists and locals.  Those who are residents live above in the alleys that wind up the hill.  They are generally protected from those who are in for the day.  But, they do come down for shopping.  This woman attracted my eye, and I was pleased with the framing on this. 

 Returning Home - Mykonos woman

10. Beckoning Cafe - Also in Mykonos, I was focused on the tables but got an extra dimension when the two people came into view up the road. 

Beckoning Cafe - Mykonos street photography

For reference, my previous selections go back to five years and can be found here:  2009, 2008, 2007,2006, and 2005.   

Glimpses

Sometimes there is a sense of mystery in seeing just a little bit of a scene. Just a glimpse. You can only imagine what you can't see.  Here are some recent pictures taken in Greece and Venice that only suggest what is behind.

Ivan Meštrović

So, our cruise was stopping in Split, Croatia and we had to select something to do as an "excursion" on shore.  I personally knew nothing about Split, but my wife was thrilled that we were stopping there, as she knew something that I did not.  Split, was the home of the famous sculptor, Ivan Meštrović.  And, she was a lover of sculpture and loved his work.  Here is his Wikipedia entry. 

One of the tours featured, among other things, a visit to his home which was also his gallery.  It is majestic and overlooks the Adriatic sea.  His work is scattered around the grounds and the interior of the house is the primary gallery.  It was interesting to imagine the world of Mr. Mestrovic.

Rainy Illusions

StreetObservations.com - Through the bus' window in a rainy Corfu, Greece, these images seemed to create a dreamy impressionistic quality. 

Acqua Alta

Venice has a problem.  At certain times of the year and during certain tidal periods, it gets wet.  It's not technically flooding, it's high water.  Called Acqua Alta (Italian for High Water).  Since the Piazza San Marco is on a low spot geographically, despite its popularity, it becomes filled with water.

People get around it by walking on platforms constructed over the wet spots.  This is what it looks like:

Cafe Gaga

Sometimes with a little bit of imagination, a crappy crooked out-of-focus picture can be repurposed to be presented as an arty impressionist photo.  Sometimes it is universally appreciated, sometimes not.  But, I find the effort of changing the shot and improving it to be a creative activity.  

Here's an example:

This is the original, taken in Split, Croatia, I noticed her coming out of the alley holding her coffee firmly.  I rattled off a shot but as you can see it is nothing close to being a good photograph. 

So, I straightened it, cropped it, lightened the exposure, add some fill light, boosted the color, and removed some of the "noise" (although I did experiment with adding grain also). 

And, this is what I ended up with.  I like it, but some people... maybe not.  But, it is certainly better than the original.  By the way, you can now make out the letters GAGA on the awning behind. Thus the title "Cafe Gaga".

Hotel Panorama

So, it was three years since an "exotic" vacation.  I chose the itinerary for this trip to allow a chance to expand my photographic horizons, so to speak, by going to beautiful places.  It was primarily a cruise vacation, initially departing from Venice, then heading to Split, Croatia, then four stops in Greece.  All beauties when viewed through a lens (or an eyeball). 

We left 6:30pm from Newark and landed in what would be late the next day in Venice.  Then, it was a boat ride to our location of rest, the Hotel Panorama.  It is positioned on the island of Lido, overviewing the lagoon with a vista that includes St. Mark's square across in Venice itself.  Part of the hotel selection process, besides the view, was that the boat let us off directly across the street from the hotel. 

Our room was located on the corner of the building with the excellent primary vista, and the second view was looking towards the boat terminal. 

Since the island is well populated by bicycles and their riders of all ages, it was an interesting perspective to look down into the square and watch the commuters out the south window.   Also the interactions and activities down below were fascinating.  A busy-ness that, in a way, reminded me of the activity in New York.

 

After our two day stay, we took another series of boats to reach our big boat which was departing through Venice at dusk.  We could make out the yellow hotel as we passed by, headed out to the Adriatic Sea. 

Street Level

I used to use a point and shoot camera that had a viewfinder that tilted out so its view could be observed from above.  This worked well for taking pictures at low angles.  When I upgraded to a digital SLR though, it didn't have this capability so I need to pretty much have my eye near the camera's level to see what kind of shot will be coming.  For street photography, I do frequently just "shoot from the hip" and point in the general direction of the subject so the shot is discrete and the subject is more natural. 

For the main logo on my StreetObservations.com website though, I wanted to have a shot at street level.  Putting my head on the ground is not terrible convenient in Manhattan, so I started to think of alternatives.  I began to observe sunken locations, such as stairways, that would allow my eye to be at a lower level.   This angle and this perspective has given me some interesting shots. 

One of my favorite locations is an entry to a subway and also to a Subway restaurant.  Standing on the wide stairway down about 5 steps brings my eye just about to street level. 

Campaigning

As I walked past, I noticed this loudly dressed woman standing on the corner across from the World Trade Center site looking to engage with anyone who might be passing.  Hmmm... a politician, I thought.  I circled behind and above to the patio of a building that overlooked the corner.

Looking down I watched to see if she would present any clues that she was in fact campaigning for something.  I didn't recognize her, but technically I'm not a local... at least I can't vote in New York City since I live in New Jersey.  There is no voting this election day in New Jersey so I'm not necessarily tuned in to the local vote, although I do know, of course, there is a race for NY Governor. 

A serious looking "advisor" wearing a suit stood by watching with a notebook in his hands.  He was clearly judging how well it was going.  There was also a cameraman with a film camera standing next to him. 

The brightly-dressed point person first started to "sell" to an older woman with pearls she flagged down.  The pedestrian seemed to want to disengage, but the pink jacketed woman kept at it.  She pointed to a brochure.  Finally the passerby shook her head (not sure if it was a positive or negative expression) and then she walked away. 

I looked down to study the name of the politician who was being plugged on the pamphlet.  I wasn't sure if she was actually the person doing the running, or whether she was just dressed this way to attract attention for her candidate.  The name on the paper was Susan Kone.  I don't know who Susan Kone is, but I made a mental note of it so I could check it out on the internet and see if she was this person and what might be her story.  

She then spoke to a guy who appeared to be quite tall (although it could be that she was short even in her heels).  He seemed excited to talk to her. 

Next a guy approached her (bottom) and asked her for an autograph.  She seemed somewhat embarassed to be signing but then wrote a lengthy note in addition to her name which looked like it could be Susan X. Kone (where X. was some sort of middle initial).  It was hard to tell since my perspective needed to translate the scrawl upside down.

So, it appeared that this was Susan Kone and I was right, she was a politician and she was campaigning.  I went back to my computer and found her website at SusanKone.com. Seems she is a Conservative Republican running for Congress in the 8th District in Brooklyn.  From the looks of her website, she has many bright pastel jackets and might even be wearing the very same pink one in her picture atop her home page (although it might be a different one with only a minor color variation). 

I couldn't find much about her on the web outside of what she published herself.  In an image search I got several photos of Susan Boyle the singing phenomenon from "England's Got Talent".   (Not sure how those Google algorithms work).  Susan Boyle is not running in this particular race and looks quite a bit different. Now I also know who Susan Kone is, but I won't be voting for her. 

Sittin' on a Blockade

For the 9/11 memorial ceremony, the police setup a series of cement blockades imprinted with the NYPD logo. With the ceremony over, the blocks were stacked along Broadway waiting to be picked up. This girl thought that this was a good spot to sit and read a book. Crossing behind on Broadway is a large orange moving van.

It's Closed?

Inside the Century 21 department store on Cortlandt St. in lower Manhattan is generally among the most crowded places to be in all of New York City.  It is regularly filled (wall-to-wall) with bargain hunting tourists.  As it is across the street from the World Trade Center site, sightseers can make a quick stop for deals in the same trip.  Walking the store, it is not unusual to walk from end-to-end and not hear any English being spoken.  Sometimes it is a destination in itself and people make a special trip just to appreciate the discounts. 

Thursday was the beginning of Rosh Hashana.  To the average consumer, there would not appear to be an immediate connection between the Jewish holiday and the store's hours.  But, the store was in fact closed through Saturday. 

As I passed, I noticed there was constant traffic to the doors of the store even though it was closed.  Most immediately went to open the doors and then were surprised when there was no give.  Many were angry, some where stunned. Many emotions. 

The small sign on the door simply said it was closed for the holiday.  Not everyone might have immediately realized the holiday being referred to was Rosh Hashana.  Especially since the anniversary of 9/11 and its ceremony was scheduled to take place right there in two days.  Confusion, is 9/11 now a holiday? 

I was amused by the human reactions to the store being closed and pulled out my iPhone.  Here are some of the approaches and emotional responses from the visitors.  

Topic of the Day

My last post called "Mosque Light" showed a quiet peaceful photo at the proposed site of the mosque that would be two blocks from ground zero. 

That shot was taken just 3 weeks ago. 

This was taken yesterday, there were groups of protesters and two camera crews there.  Also, it looks like there is now some new graffiti on the gates. 

In reality, it was a relatively quiet scene, but on the news it will be made more than it was. 

Same place, but now it's the Topic of the Day. 

Mosque Light

I picked up a new wide angle lens last month with which I've been experimenting.  It lets me envision new perspectives as I can be quite close to the subject and get much more into the photo. So, I've been taking some different kinds of shots.

I was walking up Park Place and saw an abandoned building with Corinthian columns that caught my eye.  It was a great subject to shoot with the wide angle.  The light was rather dramatic as it was nearing sundown.  I thought the state of decrepitude was interesting.  I waited as a few people walked by and liked the photo here the best. I titled it "Passing the Past" uploaded it to Flickr and was done with it. 

From all the press, I now know this very same building is the controversial location chosen for a Mosque to be built (it is two blocks from Ground Zero).  I know they chose not to give it landmark status.  It seems the building is 152 years old, but the argument to protect it for historical purposes was because it was hit by plane debris during the 9/11 event.  Of course, many other buildings are in this category. 

I couldn't find any reference to what the building was, outside of being a Burlington Coat Factory clothing store.  Personally, unless there is a story about it (other than it being old) I wouldn't think it's a landmark. But as a photographer, I think its kind of cool looking when the sun is setting and I wouldn't knock it down to be a Mosque or anything else.  I enjoy seeing connections with old time New York, and want as much of it preserved as possible even if it isn't technically a landmark.