Bedford, New York (Westchester County)
Inspiration: He wanted to get out of the city today. He wanted to go to Bedford, New York - in the northern reaches of Westchester County. He'd like to buy a horse farm out there one of these days. So we went to take a look. After a day in Bedford, I realized a few things and confirmed a few others. It's nice to be in the country sometimes. It's beautiful to be surrounded by lakes and streams and hundreds and hundreds of trees. It's fascinating to be in a town where the boats outnumber the people. It's all good. Provided that we head right back to the city after dinner. I do enjoy nature. I do. I do. But I am definitely most at home in an urban environment.
you're so reminding me of carrie in the episode where she goes to the country with aidan and wants to go back to the city! :-D
Posted by: mau | March 28, 2010 at 12:35 AM
I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful I find these images...you are so very talented. These are breathtaking. I would buy these as a series.
Very fortunate to have the best of both worlds where I live....I live on the edge of, virtually surounded by, a forest, in the middle of a city, "girt by sea".
Posted by: Dusk | March 28, 2010 at 04:04 AM
Intelligently done.
I cannot begin to tell you how this rings closer to home.
I like the way you used the boats and country side peotically as a sedge-way to your love for the 'urban jungle.'
These images remind me of my homeland, having grown up in Africa, I find living in the countryside boring.
That's why I absolutely cannot leave the urban environment for long periods of time.
Thank you for bringing this up.
Posted by: The Nyanzi Report | March 28, 2010 at 04:30 AM
I feel the same way. Sometimes I long for the country side, but when I am finally there, the best part is that it is only a visit. Not living in a big city is unimaginable to me. And once you had a taste of New York, nothing will ever be the same.
Posted by: Classic Copenhagen | March 28, 2010 at 08:34 AM
Very nice series & quite unlike anything I have seen you do before. The long answer to your question is on my blog but for that precise picture, I used a Canon 5D & a Zeiss/Contax 50mm/1.7.
http://davidikus.blogspot.com
Posted by: davidikus | March 28, 2010 at 09:40 AM
Thanks everyone. I am like Classic Copenhagen - excited about the idea of going to the country. But as soon as I get there, I want to go back home to my crazy New York. I need the constant stimulation, especially as a photographer whose favorite subject is humanity! The countryside is too slow and desolate. That said, I could do it for a weekend. Or half of one. And I did like Bedford quite a bit. And the horse farms were gorgeous.
Posted by: The Photodiarist | March 28, 2010 at 10:09 AM
how i feel like you guys! i grew up in the country, but not for long, and my only certainty was i would go and live in Paris when i would be able to. which i did for 10 years. now NY and soon LA. but the country had had always this romantic feeling in my fantasies, and becomes an extremely boring (and not so friendly) place when i go there for more than a few days.
I love the photos.
Posted by: Carole | March 28, 2010 at 10:41 AM
I think I'm like that. Case in point: I live where boats outnumber people, and there's no urbanity apart from a tiny town on a tiny (but beautiful) Caribbean island. I love nature and need it in my life daily. However, after 12 years of "backwater" living, I need to be near (not right in the middle of) a place with an energetic vibe, texture, culture, lots to do and see. Soon, soon...
That said, your pics speak to me because they have two elements close to my soul: boats and woods!
Posted by: Stephanie Clayton | March 28, 2010 at 10:51 AM
I totally agree with you here. Sometimes I need nature. Desperately. But living in the country all year is not me.
Beautifull series, I like the first one best.
Posted by: San | March 28, 2010 at 10:59 AM
amazing images, i could stare at these forever.
beautiful series.
xx
marian.
Posted by: marian | March 28, 2010 at 05:03 PM
today me and my mom drove to the seaside. The road passed right through the mountains and the valleys, all light green! It was so beautiful. I enjoyed the salty wind and the messy sea.. And God how much I'd missed it. I think if I could I'd move there right away.. The city is beautiful but is nothing compared to the seaside.
:)
Posted by: merilin | March 28, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Merilin - I love the sea. He is a mountain and streams guy and I am a city and beach gal. What we need to do is move to San Francisco, where there's city, beach and mountain all close by . . . but then I'd be heart sick for NYC.
Posted by: The Photodiarist | March 28, 2010 at 07:13 PM
this place looks so calm and serene.. the boats almost look like it's been deserted. I don't know, that's just the feeling I get when I see these photos. They're beautiful though I must say!
xo
Posted by: Ljubica | March 28, 2010 at 07:49 PM
so eeery and beautiful. Reminds me of a book I read..don't remember which one but that vision I have seen on paper before. Beautiful!
Posted by: Cristi | April 1, 2010 at 02:03 AM
hey!
I love your photos. So simple yet so profound!! central park is definitely one of my favorites places to discover new kinds of beauty every visit.
Posted by: Hoa | April 18, 2010 at 01:44 PM