Metropolis

Another view from my office building looking over the World Financial Center and the Hudson River.  The ferry approaches from Jersey City.  

Metropolis

The Third Man

I just wanted to grab a shot of this boat going by up the East River off in the distance.  The two guys walking in tandem was a nice touch.

River Stroll

I am a somewhat fast walker, and didn't realize that I had caught up to the guys who had been in the distance (the suspender fishman in the center was special).  Except, somewhere along the line, they picked up a third walker, to create a nice balance.

Hip Hop

The Carpetbagger Set

So, again I found a scene or "set" for a potential street scene.  In this case, there were these rolls of carpet just sitting there in a very nicely lit spot.  There was a nice bench, some grating, a couple of doors.  Very well laid out.  

Carpetbagger Set

But, we did need some actors... perhaps a girl with a dog?

Carpetbagger Dog

Or maybe, just a woman with a cigarette to fill the scene.

 

Carpetbagging

I like both variations (with or without people), but in the end the human element seems to enliven a good composition.  

The Tree Box

A very bright summer's day.  The Plaza near Water Street had a wall of waterfall.  Rather refreshing on such a hot day.  I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of the box surrounding the vertical tree against the waterfall.  

The Tree Box

I tried many different exposure variations of just that composition.  The first one was a very fast shutter speed which froze the water pretty much.  Also, It was a bit tricky to get the light to match between the bright water and the dark box.  

One way to take pictures of waterfalls, is to use a slow shutter speed and a time exposure.  This smooths out the water over time.  On a bright day, you would need a neutral density filter to make it dark enough to get the time needed.  Oh yes, you would also really need a tripod, if you wanted the full effect.  I think I have used a tripod maybe twice in the last five years.  (Although I did pick up a Gorillapod recently, but you need something to attach it to).  

So, I did slow the shutter to 1/60 (from 1/1000) to get some motion, also had to move the ISO as low as it could go (100) on my camera.  It was OK, but not really what I was looking for.  

So, I waited for people to come into the shot to provide some variety.  Since the shutter speed was slow, there was a bit of a blur to these people.  

Tree Box Guy

Tried one then in black and white.

Tree Box Black and White

In the end, this guy came along and took a bite of his sandwich.  That was the end of my tree box session. 

The Bite

The Squatter

Evening Rush Hour...

The Squatter

Iron Steps

In the Soho district there an interesting look, a bit of an industrial feel, and the steps are iron in many places.  

Iron Steps

Soho Cast Iron District

Such a rugged section of town.

Liquors

I liked the angles of the buildings and the vintage neon Liquor sign.  

Liquor

Monkey Bars

This kid was climbing on this protectional scaffolding for at least 10 minutes.  He hung, swung, did chin ups and eventually jumped off.  

Monkey Bars

Inspections

There are vintage signs all over New York City.  My favorites are the ones that are painted on brick.  

Inspections

Menagerie

There is a safari on the streets, shooting of wild prey.  In this case, I bagged two zebra separated by an elephant.  

Menagerie

Escape Clause

These gentlemen were talking for some time up on the fire escape of this building.  Seems like they were working out some deal as they were reviewing paperwork.  

Escape Clause