Under an Awning

Sometimes the best shots just happen as you're moving along... something catches your eye, you take a few shots and you're done. But, if you exhibit patience (hard to come by), you can stay in one spot, setup and hope something manifests itself.

In the rain the other day, I took the latter approach (because it was wet) and parked myself at a doorway and just shot as people walked past. I didn't realize it was an "active" doorway until the door behind me opened and pushed me out into the rain. I repositioned myself underneath the awning of a corner Sushi fast food restaurant. This spot was dry and I could look in multiple directions.

I waited and shot, and waited and shot. All together 117 shots. And, I considered these three of the most worthwhile.

"Wet"

"You Look So Relaxed"

"Jealous"

Millionaire's Girl

It was one of the first nice days of the spring and the street was full of people.

This girl had a certain walk as she moved quickly through the crowd walking east on Wall Street. She attracted attention from all sides, with her sunglasses and stylish boots. As she slipped past some guys standing in front of 44 Wall Street, a voice called out, "Hey Sweetheart!" She was obviously experienced in avoiding street interaction and kept her quick pace without a comment.

Ten seconds later, the same guy said, "Next time a MILLIONAIRE talks to you, answer him back!".

She continued on for about 5 seconds, and then paused, turned around and gawked back with a look of disbelief... huh? She shook her head and mouthed the word, "Asshole" and then continued on.

That would have been the decisive moment for this series of pictures. I saw it and was shooting, but missed the shot.

Perspective

Cab Trio
Originally uploaded by John Fraissinet

With a "long" lens, things that are far apart can look like they are on top of each other. This shot is with a 135mm lens.

I took this shot from about a quarter mile away from the cabs down around Bowling Green park at the end of Broadway. The real distance, though, is from the taxis all the way back to the Chrysler Building behind. It looks fairly close but actually the Chrysler is all the way up at 42nd street which is about 4 miles further up the road (I looked the distance up on Google maps).

It still amazes me how close everything appears, and I really like how the three cabs line up so nicely.

Arm Crossed Couple

Sometimes grabbing a quick shot on the street ends up with a pleasing blur effect. Depending on the colors and subject, this can turn into a surrealistically abstract piece of work. Like a painting.

This one is of a couple strolling near the World Trade Center site. The woman's coat is what caught my eye. I later learned they were German. They were walking with their crossed arms for a while, but by the time I was rattled off the one shot they were disconnected.

James Dean

I originally titled this picture - Marlboro Man. But, upon reflection, there is something about this picture that made me think of the coolness of James Dean with his dangling cigarette. It's not the looks, it's the style and energy.

Rainy Corner

Rainy Corner
Originally uploaded by John Fraissinet

There are a couple of elements that I find interesting about this picture which makes it one of my new favorites.

Besides, the brightness of the light blue umbrella and the red Don't Walk sign, there is a surrealistic feel to it. I shot it with a slow shutter speed because it was dark, and this added to the blur of the image. But, you can see that the building and signs are sharp, so the motion is from street activity and not camera shake.

I find the "characters" in the picture are also expressive. The main somber woman with the blue umbrella. The elderly couple to the right who have come from shopping (and the rolled up newspaper or something in his back pocket). The center umbrella creates a triad of focal points above those two sets of characters. And, the rush of the figure approaching on the left adds a bit of clutter and dynamic.

When I took the picture, I was attracted to the light blue umbrella. Like most of my pictures, the core was not planned but was discovered after I got to review it.

Sliver of Light

Another cold sunny day. I hadn't been out to the streets with my camera for a while so I forced a quick trip. Close by is an elevated plaza that serves as an excellent perch to observe the street traffic. This time the light coming from the south up the avenue illuminated the walkway in a singular strip. I planted myself at the plaza's corner for ten minutes and grabbed these shots. Then quickly returned to my warm building.

Distinct Activities

It was a rare warm February day and I took a lunch time stroll along the river looking towards Jersey City (the tower in the distance). I was watching the work being done by the two men on the crane on the huge torch (I think based on the Statue of Liberty which is out of frame off to the left). I noticed in the picture all the distinct individual activities happening. Besides the torch workers, there is an overall balance to the others. None are in groups, and all have their own agenda.

Exchange Spotlight

In the winter on sunny days, the light in comes in at extreme angles. In Manhattan, the morning light creates very long shadows. At lunch time, one block can be bright and the next dark. The New York Stock Exchange, with it's flags, is on the corner of Wall Street and Broad Street. Nassau Street forms a slight hill before turning into Broad. This creates an interesting hump where figures can be seen juxtaposed in front of the flags of the Exchange. Yesterday's light lit the flags as a spotlight and it looked like this.

Times Square Snow

Times Square Snow
Originally uploaded by jfraissi

The Flickr photography site monitors how many "Views" individual pictures get from their community and assorted search engines. It's interesting to see what attracts the most interest.

After a year, this shot of Times Square has finally taken over the number one spot from one titled "Financial District People". Undoubtedly the jump in traffic at this time is due to seasonal searches.

There was originally a color shot, but there is something about a colorless Times Square that makes the shot unusual.