The Photodiarist

A Human Canvas

New York: Harlem

Inspiration: Fine art in its most personal form.

Hands On

New York: Fifth Avenue

Inspiration:  I took this shot early this summer. I was and remain fascinated by the single hand "carved" into his head.

Girlfriends

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: They could be sisters, cousins or best friends.  Whatever the case may be, these girls were absolutely adorable hanging out with each other in Union Square.

Movin'

New York: Astor Place

Inspiration: When I am able to do so, I love to shoot skateboarders. The problem is that skateboarders are faster at skating away than I am at getting the shot! By the time I sort out my camera, he or she has skateboarded way too far down the road to make for a decent photograph. That sort of happened here. I was trying to get his face, but ended up getting his back . . . but at least he is not so so far away.  

So, Cristi of thatsorad just tagged me with the "Over the Top" award. I have to answer these questions with one word (er, sometimes not so feasible) and then hand the award over to others. So here goes: 

Where's your cell phone: Bag

Your hair: Straight

Your mother: Awesome  

Your father: Adored

Favorite Food: Lobster

Dream last night: Photographs

Favorite drink: Tea

What room are you: Study

Hobby: Photography

Fear: Illness

Where were you last night: Pranna

Something that you aren't: Boring

Muffins: Never

Wish list item: 24mm 1.2L

Where did you grow up:  All over

What are you wearing: t-shirt-jeans

Your pets: Others'

Friends: Wonderful

Something your'e not wearing: Hat

Favorite store: Barneys 

Favorite color: Red

Last time you laughed: Yesterday

Your best friend: Aly

Place you go to over and over: Work

Person who emails you regularly: Boss

Favorite place to eat: L'Express

So let's see what you guys have to say:

Polka Dot of London Street Style

Rita of Cappuccino Corner

Sofiasophie of OhLaLa

La Flore et La Faune

"Change For Burma" Rally

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: I had a million things to do yesterday, but I made a little time to take a "camera walk" to Union Square, one of my favorite haunts. I walked into a "Change For Burma" rally, which local organizers timed to coincide with the announcement of a positive change in U.S. policy toward the current government (widely considered to be brutal) in Burma (now known as Myanmar). The rally provided a feast of color. Check out The Photodiarist in Color for my color shots. In fact, this is one of only a few shots that really moved me in a black and white format.  Something about the look in those young (but rather old) eyes worked best in the absence of color.  

I posted a shot of this monk in color on The Photodiarist in Color.  Slightly different shot compositionally, but black and white really changes the feel entirely, I think.

The Look

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: That look.  

"It's a Love Thing"

New York: Union Square

Inspiration:  "Sure I could hang around and complain about the way things ought to be. Yeah, there's trouble in the world, but you're the girl whose open arms are all I really need. And that's why I come running to be there by your side. So let 'em call me crazy but it can't be denied . . ." 

-- Keith Urban, "It's a Love Thing"

P.S. Check out The Photodiarist in Color for a couple of new color pics.

Mirror Mirror

New York: Park Avenue

Inspiration: In keeping with the theme of the last day (reflections and patterns), I offer you this abstract view of the Met Life Building on Park Avenue. I was headed to work by cab one morning earlier this month. I usually take the subway, but on this morning, I was late and thought I could get there faster by cab. FYI: the subway is usually faster, no matter how late you are. Anyway, I digress. As is usually the case when I am in a cab in the city, my hands were on the edge of the car window, clutching my camera, ready to capture anything cool. As we pulled out of the Park Avenue tunnel and around the Met Life Building, the cab slowed down allowing me see and capture this reflection of the Met Life on the face of the Hyatt Hotel. I'd never seen this reflection before.  Maybe I should cab it to work more . . . Also check out the Chrysler Building reflected below. 

The Chrysler Reflected

New York: The Chrysler Building

Inspiration:  Of all of the amazing buildings in Manhattan, I've gotta fall in love with the one that everyone loves. The one that everyone has photographed from all sides and angles. The one of which an unusual capture is probably no longer possible. Well, here's my shot. Not unique by any stretch, but a shot that I have always wanted to take: the Chrysler staring at its beautiful image in the mirror of the building across the street.

Diamonds and Triangles

New York: 42nd Street

Inspiration:  I was crossing the street while this guy was riding his bike in the opposite direction. It's barely visible in this shot, but he had some really interesting tattoos on one of his legs.  As I turned to check them out, I saw this moment of pure pattern: lines, diamonds and triangles. In my hurry to get the shot, I turned him into a headless biker. Sorry dude. But I still love the shot because of the seemingly endless parade of patterns. Even the way his body is poised on the bike adds a triangle or two.