The Photodiarist

Rain, Rain, Go Away . . .

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: It has been raining for days. We've been listening to flood warnings on TV every morning this week. I am beginning to feel as though the sun will never shine in New York again! I mean . . . how much rain do we really need to make some flowers grow? 

P.S. I got my wish. An hour after I posted this, the rain stopped and the sun came out! Yay.

Life is Art: The Sand Man (Redux)

New York: Washington Square Park

Inspiration: One of my favorite people to photograph is Joe Mangrum, an artist whose primary medium is sand. On Sunday, he worked in the rain to create this beautiful mandala. Each one is unique in color and design. My photos do not do justice to his work. 

Smokin' in the Rain

New York: Thompson on the corner of Houston (Soho)

Inspiration: I suppose that when one need a smoke break, it doesn't matter what the weather is like outside. 

Bethesda Terrace

New York: Central Park (Bethesda Terrace)

Inspiration: Every now and again, I remember to practice minimalism in my photos. It can be quite dramatic but so difficult for me to accomplish. 

 

A Melodious Refuge

New York: Central Park

Inspiration: While I was wondering around Central Park today, it started to drizzle. Then rain. Shortly after raindrops began to fall, gusty winds followed. When I left my apartment in the early afternoon, I knew it would be a cold and gray day, but I didn't think I'd need my monster umbrella. So now, in the middle of the park on a wet day, my only protection was a puny, weakling of a black drug-store umbrella that I scrounged up from the bottom of my bag where it has lived for ages. Just when the wimpy thing had flipped inside out for the fifth time, I sought cover inside one of the tunnels in the park. As I ran in, I heard the glorious wail and moan of a sax. Beautiful! One of the regular Central Park musicians had also found refuge from the rain in the tunnel and he had made it such a melodious one at that.

   

The Boats of Bedford

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.

Sunny Day Style

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: It's hard to believe that it was sunny and warm just a few days ago. My landlord, eager to believe in the arrival of Spring and definitely eager to save money, has already turned off the heat! And I am not good at using my fireplaces (I actually have two working fireplaces in my apartment, which is something of a big deal in New York). So, I am freezing right now. Oh sunny, warm climes, where art thou?  I mean really? Where the hell art thou? It's supposed to be Spring around here!

P.S. Before I go stumbling off to bed (which is covered by about five layers of blankets), my blue fingernails must type one more thing: Easy Fashion. Check it out. If you like chic Parisian street-style mixed with great portraiture, then you will find nothing but brilliance in this blog, in my humble opinion.

P.P.S. It's Saturday morning. The sun is out and the heat is back on! 

Life is Art: The Sand Man

New York: Washington Square Park

Inspiration: On any given day during the year, provided the weather isn't too inclement, one can find Joe Mangrum at a city park entertaining crowds with his art. He creates incredible murals on the ground with sand. Whenever I photograph him, I tend to focus on the man and not as much on his creation. To see better examples of his work, stop by his website.  

Solitude, Pt. 2

New York: South Street Seaport

Inspiration: "The great omission in American life is solitude; not loneliness, for that is an alienation that thrives most in the midst of crowds; but that zone of time and space, free from the outside pressures, which is the incubator of the spirit."  Marya Mannes, American Author, Vogue Editor, 1904-1990. 

There's something quite consistent and incredible about the alchemy that occurs between people and bodies of water.

Solitude

New York: South Street Seaport

Inspiration:  "It is good to be alone. To be far away from the world and yet walk its streets is to be alone."  Jiddu Krishnamurti, Philosopher 1895-1986 

I am attracted to solitude in photography. The sole figure in a photograph, or in life, is often viewed as a lonely one. In the imagination of some, solitude evokes sadness, loss or rejection. Since I prize solitude, I view it differently. In my imagination, the sole figure is one who is replenishing his stores of energy and creativity. He is, in those moments, free of compromise and negotiation. She is one who is recovering or discovering. The lone person is one who is creating something in his mind in order to later create it with his hands. She is one who is dreaming of her next venture. Or the one who is confident enough to veer off the pathway of the multitudes. I know that I am guilty of romanticizing the loner. Indeed, in New York City reality, the sole figure is probably one who is waiting impatiently for, or rushing frantically to meet, another.