The Beach

New York: Brighton Beach/Coney Island, Brooklyn

Inspiration: On Sunday, I needed to get out of Manhattan. I often forget that we have some pretty nice beaches in the city, so we decided to check out one of them - Brighton Beach/Coney Island - a mere 20 minutes away. I grew up by a beach and love the ocean, but I have to admit that on this day I did not last very long. The sweltering 95 degree weather got the best of me. After about 2 hours, I was ready to get back to some air-conditioning. But I lasted long enough to take some photographs. Here are some color shots.

Comments

[San]

mmh, as much as I love black & white, I just realized looking at these pics, that beach pictures with such crowds need color. On a lonely beach with just one couple it would work, but crowds somehow call for color in my opinion. Nevertheless I like the little stories that unravel when you look closely at one pic after another.

I know what you mean that it's sometimes just too hot. We've got such blistering heat here too and I'd LLOVVVEEE to move to cool and windy Scotland right NOW!

You've got my email? If not you find it in my blog profile. THANK YOU.

[The Photodiarist]

San - I have so many in color that I wanted to post this morning but I am insanely late for work. So I will post them tonight. I agree with you -- beach pics need color but I do like them in b&w too . . .

[Biana]

Nice shots, the b&w give these beachphotos an oldschool feel. There is so much happening. I like the b&w, but I get what San is saying.

I do wonder how these photos would look in color with a vintagy treatment. I bet they would look very nice too :)

[Alyson]

Coney Island seems to have a "good ol' days" kind of feel to it and the black and white photos really capture that atmosphere for me. I generally prefer color (as you know, Photodiarist!), but I really love these in b/w.

[Jason mathew]

great shots PD

[San]

Biana has an interesting point there. Maybe if you make them sepia instead of "pure" black and white?! Through this "pure" b&w there seems to be something missing to me.

In any case, this was not meant as critique, it's just what I realized for me, that's personal taste there is no wrong or right in it. Playing around and finding out new things is the fun part of blogworld I think.

I learn tons about photography just through following your blog. And I LOVE it. So THANK YOU.

[San]

Take your time, no need to rush. :D

PS. Maybe I have this impression of those pictures because of the sky, since there are no clouds? Just guessing and discussing.

[San]

This little discussion over these pics inspired me to quickly test out different versions of the same picture, just to see the differences. (Sepia, b&w, unaltered)

I've put those 5 pics up at my blog for the sake of discussion.

[val n cami]

Oh my god that is one crowded beach! I remember going to the Coney beaches way back when and man they were crowed then too. Great photos, I haven't been around for awhile and your photos are just getting better and better.
If you ever get out west the beaches aren't as crowed and not nearly as hot.
XX
Valerie

[UnoCosa]

okey - so you made to the beach way before i did ;-)

i really love brighten beach - it has personality - and you captured that well, xx

[Catherine at Littlehouse of Style]

These photos instantly reminded me of an old Coney Island postcard I have on my fridge. I will have to email it to you! The resemblance is uncanny, even though the images are probably 50 years apart.

I love going to the New York beaches despite the crowds— you just feel like you're worlds away from Manhattan out there. Great shots! So peaceful.

[C.]

Great shots, I feel the life and move of people in your photos.
Cool place.

[Don]

I feel the heat!