Tag: Photo Walk

The High Line

I spent the evening in Manhattan walking along the High Line taking photos of pedestrians and the New York City skyline. I was supposed to meet up with some other photographers, but I missed my train and was forced to take a later train, arriving very late. I took the New York subway from Penn Station to 14 Street and entered the High Line at Grovnesvoort Street.

The High Line is incredible. I don't know how to describe it. Except for the pedestrians, the noise from the street, and the tall buildings surrounding the park, I would have forgotten I was in a large city.

The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8
The High Line
The High Line · Saturday 6 October 2012 · Nikon D40 · 35 mm f/1.8

Trey Ratcliff New York PhotoWalk

When Scott told me a few weeks ago in a private message on Twitter that Trey Ratcliff might be coming to New York to host a photowalk, I was ecstatic. I made sure that my afternoon schedule was cleared so that I could hop the train from Princeton Junction to the World Trade Center. I knew it was going to be a crowded affair. Trey is a well-known popular photographer.

We met up on Courtland Street near the World Trade Center, but the first group to arrive were chased off by the police, so we regrouped around the block. I thought this was strange behaviour by the police until I realised we standing in Occupy Wall Street territory and a few hundred people with cameras might have seemed like "trouble".

We slowly made our way down Broadway. Trey would stop, set up his tripod and teach. I find it incredible how much he can do for the community of photographers. I assume he must have been tired after hopping off a plane from New Zealand but never showed it. He remained patient and gracious. We stopped for a bit in Bowling Green before finally making it to the waterfront at Battery Park.

I hung out and chatted with photographers from New York and New Jersey.   I discovered some of them, like Daryl Meek, lived less than ten miles from my home and made some new contacts. Later in the evening, a small group of us snuck away to Ulysses' on Peal Street for some food and drink. I didn't get the chance to talk to Trey directly because the group was just too large, but I had a great time.

Tuesday 14 August, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8G
Tuesday 14 August, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8G
Trey Ratcliff and Scott Wyden Kivowitz | Tuesday 14 August, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8G

Google+ Photographers Group Asbury Park Photo Walk

Today I met up on the Asbury Park Boardwalk with a group of photogs from the Google+ Photographers Group. Some were work friends, and the rest were strangers. The walk was organised by Scott Wyden Kivowitz - who until today I've only "known" online, and Daryl Meek. My friend and I drove down together. We got lost and ended up in Rumson, but we enjoyed the scenic route - lined with expensive shore homes - to Asbury Avenue.

Sunday 13 November 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8

The windy air was crisp but cool. We caught up with the larger group about a quarter of the way down the boardwalk.

Scott Kivowitz, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Scott Kivowitz (Center) | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄320 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 200
man on trike
Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄500 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 200
woman on trike
Trike | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄800 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 200

I saw this older woman sitting with her aide as we walked along. I was reluctant at first, but my desire to get the shot overcame my anxiety. I walked over, introduced myself and asked her permission to take her photograph. She had an exciting story to tell. She was born in Jersey City but moved to Asbury Park with her family when she was two years old. She's now 94 years old. She's been to this very boardwalk almost her entire life. Imagine the stories she could tell about what the boardwalk was like long ago and how much it has changed. I regret I forgot her name.

elderly woman on bench
This woman has lived in Asbury Park her whole life. | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄500 sec at f/8.0
Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄250 sec at f/8.0

The Wonder Bar is a local nightclub with a storied musical history, associated with such famous local legends as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Clarence Clemmons, Lance Larson and many others.

Wonder Bar
Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, New Jersey | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄160 sec at f/11
records
Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄160 sec at f/2.5 | ISO 800

My friend Chris, Prasanna and I had a great time chatting out our photography wish list. We added a fourth person, [John Carig](John Craig), to our smaller group. We talked about our families - we all have kids are varying age groups - before heading into the mall for a bite.

Convention Center, Asbuary Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Convention Center, Asbuary Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄200 sec at f/11

The iPhone Camera+ (with a Clarity filter applied) can produce some very good images. The key is good light. We had a cloudy early morning sky, but the sun shone through.

Asbuary Park Boardwalk | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Apple iPhone 4 | 3.85 mm | 1/1400 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 80

Asbury Park Mural | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄60 sec at f/11

The Casino once contained an Ice Skating Rink, hosted Roller Derby and Flea Markets and was used as the setting for the movie "City by the Sea" starring Robert DeNiro.

Inside the old casino. Asbuary Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄50 sec at f/3.5
Asbury Park Casino
Asbury Park Casino | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄250 sec at f/6.3

Before we left, we stopped at Sully's for a hot latte. They have an extensive menu, and many items are named after local landmarks. I liked the "The Boss" sandwich description, but our hostess let me know that he eats primarily vegetarian these days.

Sully's | Sunday 13 November 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8