Street Photography: Urban Summer II

My street photography of New York continues. Here, what's a man to do in a city full of concrete and not enough green space to relax? Own it. 

Goodbye my friend

Ok so I've been slack again. This photography course has really eaten up all my time as it was an intensive course. Next time I think twice a week is too much, it left me feeling frazzled. However I finished last night and really loved it. The teacher was fantastic and I met some really great people on the course. My only regret was that there wasn't enough time to make connections outside of the course. Everyone had different talents and strengths so all the pictures were interesting. I have to say that it took me a while to get the hang of the technical side. Yesterday was the first day that I felt I may have finally got it. What it did was really help with improving my photo taking skills. Because I knew I had to print these photos I really had to look harder to find my subjects. It made me more picky and taught me to self edit.

I ended up with a really eclectic mix of photos that I really think showed elements of New York life. I was heavily influenced by an exhibition I saw in Perth called "Picturing New York" - it was a collaboration with MoMA. And so I had an evaluation from my teacher, what was my verdict? I have a natural eye for composition and use of all sides of the frame. I also have a natural eye for street photography. Jim's advice was to explore this further by creating a photo series based on a single subject. So food carts or nightlife etc. Here are two more shots for your delight. I really wanted to put more up but I also thought that I quite like them being slightly private. For people to view when they visit or when we return. Although this one of Phil was just too much to resist.

Budding Photography

Ok so you all know that I was doing a photography course and hated it so decided to walk out? At which point he blamed me and we got into an argument. Well, I complained to the school who agreed to transfer me to their summer course. It was the best thing I did. This teacher is amazing. There are so many things that he tells me are 'bad photography practice' or not to do because they're just 'stupid' and I get excited as those are the same things the other photography teacher taught me. 

Anyway, this is a black and white darkroom course. I have to develop my own film and photos. And here are my first two ever prints. What do you think? I'm going for the whole street photography thing as I think it works particularly well with black and white film. My target is to find moments in New York life. These are my takes and interpretations of the city. 

Best Shots

At the Whitney Museum

Spring and new beginnings

So obviously I'm back in New York and feeling so much better now. This new chapter is shaping up nicely. I'm excited. With this new job at the New York Historical Society I feel that I've really hit a milestone. While only a part time position, it's as a permanent member of staff (as opposed to a freelancer). In my current position I deliver programs to school groups. In this new position I have sole ownership of my program and will be tasked with researching, creating and delivering the program. Finishing off with updating a regular blog on my adventures.

Other improvements include this wonderful weather. With the warmer days I can get back to exploring the city and reporting back on all that I'm learning. This weekend for example we headed to Brooklyn to catch a flea market. I have no photos of it as it was so hot that I couldn't bare to hold a hot camera to my face. When it suddenly clouded over it was a great opportunity to capture the view of the city. As I get more used to the heat, hopefully I'll be able to get pictures of it for you.

Beach Bumming

Sun Pictures

Is this not just the cutest cinema you've ever seen? Sun Pictures in Broome is the world's oldest outdoor cinema still in operation. It's just the most gorgeous experience ever (completely rose tinted here as I'm ignoring the inevitable inclusion of mosquitos and bats). We went on a gorgeously warm night to watch the film 'I give it a year', which was actually hilarious. Outdoor cinemas always have this really magical quality to them, and this one even more so if only because of the history behind it. It's just such a shame that Broome is quite out of the way as it would definitely be a recommendation.

Pearling Around

By far my most favourite thing that we got up to this holiday was spending an afternoon on an old pearl lugger. It was even more poignant as this is the field that Hipster Dufus's father specializes in, having started off as a marine biologist. He later became a pioneer in his field, even receiving an Order of Australia recently. This vintage beauty was from way before his time of course, although updated to include a mini museum inside showing the history of pearl diving. The boat tour took off in the early afternoon and sailed around until sunset. Nibbles were passed around throughout the tour and there was even the option to jump into the sea for a swim. Just such a wonderful experience.

Boome colors

From beautiful wine country to deep dark magical caves, it was then off to Broome. I am completely obsessed with the natural colours of western Australia. The crisp blue skies, the green foliage and then the rich red dirt. Totally unique, unlike anything I've seen. This beach so typically showed these typical colours that I went snap crazy.

Photo Challenge: Steamy Grates

A couple of months ago I asked all of you to set me some photo challenges. I love the idea of being set projects by people, however I think I asked prematurely. We were heading into winter and I completely underestimated just how cold it gets here. It gets bitterly cold here and it's consistent. Staying indoors was just the way to go and I didn't mind not doing much. Some of the challenges were for places that were far too exposed (Ellis Island requiring traveling by ferry first and then being outdoors for a long time). Some of the challenges just ended up being impossible. Jo set me steamy grates an iconic image of New York. However I found that the grates don't steam up that much, unless they have pipes placed in them to release the air, there's an example below.

It was only recently when we had the first of the horrid snow that the grates in the street were going crazy. The extreme low temperatures finally allowed enough of a difference in temperature for the steam to show. So here's the first of the photo challenges. Now with spring coming up I'm back out and about exploring the city again. Jo, Hope you enjoy these!

¡Ai Tulum!

Well, we're back from sunny Mexico. At 11:00am we were swimming in the sea with the sun beating down on us and by 11:00pm we were back on the cold streets of New York. Tulum is beautiful and still underdeveloped, which for me is a good thing. It's colourful and full of character with chic hotels with boutiques selling anything from designer fragrances to designer yoga wear. We stayed in El Pez which boasted beautiful seafront views. Eating out provided a new dining experience, the restaurants and bars are scattered along the beaches, and even those inland are open to the elements such as Hartwood. The fantastic weather makes dining underneath a bed a stars the only option. 

As you know the real purpose of this trip was my birthday. I miss my friends, my family and having to go through such an important milestone without anyone was really painful. This is why we went. So rather than say that no one was able to come, I could say that I had escaped. I had a good old cry in the morning and then went on to enjoy my day which included breakfast on the hotel terrace with a full view of the ocean. Followed by a two hour massage at the wonderful Coqui Coqui, and two hours Skyping friends and family. A long walk on the beach and dinner in one of the fantastic restaurants. Finishing with a glass of champaign and star gazing (for the first time ever I managed to identify a constellation- Orion's belt). Coupled with all the Facebook wished, it was perfect. 

Those who can't... teach

Now there is a HUGE problem with the quote above. Mainly that if you can't do your job properly, that does not mean that you have a miraculous ability to impart knowledge. Teaching/educating is a skill. To bring a subject to life for a student is a talent. And to be able to inspire someone is a gift. If you just want extra money, go and work in a faceless profession. Where what you say will have absolutely no impact on the person unfortunate enough to be on the other side of your awful, no good, god forsaking, talentless ability. This I feel should have been the road travelled by my current photography teacher. So bad is this gentleman that I actually walked out of my class. Only to be met by She-MAN-nay!

Yes, I kid you not. My teacher switched on me. He told me I never asked for help, that I never approached him for clarification and that I needed to understand that he was not the issue, I was. For weeks now my classmates and I have sat helplessly waiting for clarification from said teacher, turning to the teaching assistants for help. When we have asked for help he has literally called us idiots (seriously). It's such a shame as learning can be a really amazing experience. The right teacher can completely change your views and open up your world. Instead I'm left feeling angry, offended and insulted. How did that happen?

Winter Wonderland

While Christmas has been and gone the snow has only just begun. The first few days being simply slush and then reports of a storm hit. In just one night the cover was inches deep. The only way to enjoy the snow was to head over to Central Park with Paco. And it seems that everyone in the city agreed. It was as packed as you might expect it to be in the summer. Kids were sleighing, dogs were running wild and grown men (it's always the men) were behaving, well you get the picture.

It did look really beautiful and magical although, I'm over it. Yes it's kinda cool but enough already. Bring on spring. I still haven't properly explored this city and I can't when the weather is like this. I'm not a winter tourist, maybe if there' a fire and hot chocolate but even then.