Astor Place

I was free one day at lunch time and took the subway up to Astor Place in Greenwich Village.  The core of the area is a square with a giant black cube called "Alamo".  I took several shots from different angles and generally focused on a single man standing near the giant work of art.  Here are three of those shots with different treatments.

Astor Place

Here is the same angle but with some dramatic tension from the emergence of the curly haired woman.

Opposing the Cube

I moved across to the east corner of the plaza, and represented it with a black and white perspective.

Cubed

Then across from the south vantage point, there were some contrasting shapes, the circles of the bicycle and rack opposing the cube.

Circle and Cube

Wall Street Subway

I frequently walk around the Wall Street area looking for subjects.  There is an eclectic mix of people there.  There are of course, the investment bankers, but also police, construction workers, residents walking their dogs, and the tourists.  Walking around with a camera is not unusual so it is easy to people watch.  

I am regularly drawn to this subway station and caught some good light this time.  

Wall Street Man

Wall Street also seems like a place of grittiness so I worked on some of the pictures to strengthen that sense.

Moving West

Tandem

There is also a lot of construction in the area.  They construct blue walls to protect the work areas which together with the scaffolding creates strong backgrounds.

450 Broad Street

Entering into the area there are barriers that rise out of the street, these seem to me to be interesting geometric subjects.

Inclined Descent

 And, there are those who have inhabited the street for years.  Even from behind, I could tell there was a story in the relationship of these two.  The gentleman on the left would occasionally extend his hand to help stabilize the man with the cane.  

Continuing On

Summer Fire Escapes

In the summer, shadows become extreme.  These create geometric patterns that change the look of what is naturally there.  The New York City brownstones become glowing structures that frame the streets.  In particular, the fire escapes create designs that come from the bright sun.  

Here's is one that has a spotlight that snuck between opposing buildings:

Evening Fire Escapes

Sometimes the brownstones are blemished from years of deterioration and lack of upkeep.

Dripping Windows

The light can reflect off the windows of opposing buildings creating their own spots of rhythmic light...

Walk Up

The harsh shadows around noon time create the strongest patterns...

Ladder Shadows

And, the brownstones themselves have their own rhythms and reflections...

Summer Shadows 

The Wall of the Post Office

I like to find interest backgrounds and then wait for someone to walk by and appear at a specific spot.  One of my favorite spots is the downtown Post Office.  I've featured a series from this spot previously called "Shadow Play".  Here is another series with the target being between the two geometric vents.  

Centered

The Conductor

You're telling me what?