Light Happens: New York

Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts

Friday, July 21, 2023

Artistic Courage

Innovation vs. Imitation

What do the following legendary artists have in common?

Impressionist painter Claude Monet

Actor Cary Grant

Film director Alfred Hitchcock

And singer Tony Bennett, who passed away today at the age of 96

Granted, they are all well-known. Most people have heard recordings of Tony Bennett, seen films starring Cary Grant or directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and almost everyone has seen Monet’s paintings.

a photo or two steam pipes on madison avenue new york

Dual Steam Pipes - New York (2023)

But these artists share another quality, a quality that I would argue is the secret to their success.

They did not imitate others.

Monet didn’t try to paint like Rembrandt.

Tony Bennett didn’t try to sing like Enrico Caruso.

Hitchcock didn’t try to make films like Cecil B. DeMille.

And Cary Grant, well, he was in a class by himself.

We can learn from emulating others, but in order to reach our potential, we need to develop our own style. Have the courage to pursue your own vision. The world needs innovation, not imitation.

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lens: Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Many cinemas have closed in the city. Movies used play for months in Manhattan. There were enough theaters to accommodate them and plenty of people willing to pay money each week to see feature films on a big screen.

Streaming services and high-definition televisions brought the theater experience into people's homes. There was no need to pay twenty dollars a ticket for a cinematic experience.

And then the pandemic hit. Cinemas that struggled to stay afloat before Covid now faced even more daunting headwinds.

a photo of the closed beekman theater in new york city at night

Maybe the cinemas will stage a comeback. Maybe, like vinyl records, they'll pull a Houdini and enjoy an enthusiastic resurgence of interest and support.

Home theater systems are amazing, but there's nothing like watching a good film on a big screen, listening to a soundtrack on an array of large speakers, or laughing at jokes with a roomful of delighted movie buffs.

Camera: Sony a7R III

Lens: Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Levitating Skyscrapers

Structural Secrets Of Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards is a working rail yard. Passenger trains for New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Railroad pass through here all day and most of the night.

a photo of the hudson rail yards and skyscrapers in new york city

Hudson Rail Yards and Skyscrapers - New York (2022)

The huge skyscrapers that they started building in this area a few years ago are built over those tracks. I don't know how they did it, but that was quite a trick.

A track trick. A trick with tricky tracks. A tricky train track trick. The trials and trackulations. Something like that.

Camera: Sony a7R IV

Lens: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Monday, December 26, 2022

One Afternoon In Manhattan

Street Photography in NYC

I went out for a sunny stroll and caught some street shots along the way.

Mighty Quinn's - New York (2022)

Moving Van

a photo of a man pushing a shopping cart past a ninja martial arts store in new york

Ninja Warrior

a photo of a couple holding hands in new york city

True Love - New York (2022)

Camera: Sony a7R IV

Lens: Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.8

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Remembering Galen Rowell

Impact And Inspiration

My life changed on a Saturday afternoon in the late 1990s. While visiting the Carnegie Museum Of Natural History in Pittsburgh, I noticed a sign announcing a photography exhibition. I recognized the name of the photographer, Galen Rowell. I had read articles about him, but I had never seen prints of his work in person. It was an experience that I'll never forget.

I had never seen photographs like this before. The compositions were wonderful, but it was the color, the detail, and the creamy smoothness of the prints that struck me most powerfully.

I remember feeling puzzled, even bewildered. What I was seeing seemed beyond the capability of what a camera could produce. It was as though I had witnessed a magic trick that made me question things that I thought the I understood.

a photo of a new york city sunset from central park daniel south photograph

I came away from the exhibition with a strange fascination. I didn't just want to understand how he captured photos that looked like this, I wanted to be able to product images with a similar look. It became an obsession, albeit one with a positive purpose. My fascination kicked off a decades long journey of discovery.

Galen Rowell was a skilled climber and mountaineer who traveled the world photographing remote places for National Geographic. He climbed Everest and El Capitan. He photographed Nepal and Machu Picchu.

I didn't spend much time in wilderness areas. I lived in a heavily populated area and commuted into a large city for work every day.

Nevertheless, I believed that if I could study and learn Mr. Rowell's style of photography, with its brilliant colors, dramatic skies, and awe-inspiring light, I could adapt that style for use in urban areas. Sunsets happen everywhere; we don't have to venture into the wilderness to see one.

Sadly, Galen Rowell and his wife died in a plane crash on August 11, 2002, twenty years ago today. I am now the age that Galen was when he passed away.

I never had the chance to meet Galen Rowell or attend one of his workshops (which were always sold out!) but his creative vision, his artistry, and his masterful craftsmanship have inspired me since the day I first saw his prints.

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lens: GF 45mm f/2.8

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Boating At The Bow Bridge

Summer Fun

a photo of boaters at the bow bridge in central park new york city

Boating At The Bow Bridge - Central Park

Picture yourself in a boat on a lake...

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lens: GF 45mm f/2.8

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Fountains At The Met

Dancing In The Dark

Fountains At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

I love watch these fountains on a warm summer evening.

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lens: GF 23mm f/4

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Sunset On The Reservoir

Reflections On The Day

a photo of the jacqueline kennedy onassis reservoir in central park at sunset

Sunset On The Reservoir - Central Park (2022)

Summer sunset captured from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lens: GF 80mm f/1.7

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Towers In Black And White

New York Skyscrapers

The Lipstick Building

a black and white photo of new york skyscrapers architecture abstraction

Lines And Squares

a black and white photo of a new york skyscraper by daniel south

Imperfect Symmetry

Safety Tips for Photographers

1. Mind your footing. You're a human being. Humans stumble. I saw a lady trip over a root and fall while hiking at Point Lobos. Her fancy camera shattered into pieces.

2. Always be prepared to move. An animal could charge at you. A vehicle might swerve in your direction. A flash flood or a "sneaker wave" could put you in danger unexpectedly. Be prepared to grab your stuff and go.

3. Always close and secure your gear bag. If you pick up an open backpack, your gear is going to fall out. Don't take that chance.

4. You're going to drop things. Hopefully, it's just a lens cap, but even losing something small is annoying. If it's a filter or something more valuable, it's a bigger loss, and you won't have that piece of gear to work with for the rest of your trip. I once dropped a lens cap into the Grand Canyon. I shattered a lens at Loch Ness when I dropped it on a rock. Be mindful that these things can happen and use extra caution at all times.

5. Your tripod has many points of failure. One loose connection can lead to disaster. I finished shooting one morning and unlocked the knob that held my camera in place. I decided to take one more photo. I unlocked a second knob that allowed the camera to rotate, secured that knob, and took my photo. I then picked up the tripod forgetting that the other knob was still loose. My camera fell to the ground and was damaged beyond repair.

6. Be aware of the people around you. Two guys started tossing a ball near where I was photographing a historic building. I don't know if it was accidental or not, but one of them ran into me with considerable force while I was looking in a different direction. I didn't fall or drop the camera, but my back was sore for days. Another time, a guy in a deserted section of a city remarked, "Hey, nice camera! I've got some camera gear if you're interested." He motioned for me to follow him. For a brief moment, I wondered what kind of gear he might have. It seemed like an incredulous claim. Then it occurred to me that if I went where he was leading, he would indeed be in possession of camera gear - mine.

Camera and Lens:

Image 1: Fujifilm GFX 100S, GF 80mm f/1.7

Image 2: Sony a7R IV, FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS

Image 3: Fujifilm GFX 100S, GF 45mm f/2.8

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Look Up

New York City Architecture in Black and White

Crevice - New York City (2017)

a black and white photo of new york city architecture

Edge - New York City (2021)

a photo of new york city skyscrapers in black and white

Interdependence - New York City (2022)

Camera and Lens:

Image 1: Sony a7R2, FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

Image 2: Fujifilm GFX 100S, GF 30mm f/3.5

Image 3: Fujifilm GFX 100S, GF 23mm f/4

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Christmas In New York

Midtown Manhattan Magic

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

a photo of giant decorative candy canes in new york

Candy Canes on 58th Street

a photo of the armani 5th avenue store at christmas in new york

Armani 5th Avenue at Christmas

a photo of a tinsel teddy bear in new york at christmas

Tinsel Teddy Bear - Christmas in New York

Radio City Music Hall At Christmas

Christmas Decorations on Fifth Avenue

a photo of huge christmas balls in a fountain in new york city

Christmas Balls in a Fountain - New York City

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lenses: GF 23mm f/4

GF 30mm f/3.5

GF 80mm f/1.7

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Night Views From Central Park

An Evening Of Fresh Perspectives

a photo of the new york skyline from central park at night

Skyline and Reflections

a photo of the new york skyline from central park

Secret Window

a night photo of central park in autumn new york

Autumn Turbulence

a photo of skyscrapers reflecting in the lake at central park

Lake View - Central Park - New York City

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lenses: GF 23mm f/4

GF 30mm f/3.5

GF 80mm f/1.7

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Spooky Nights And Halloween Frights

Halloween Decorations In New York City

a photo of a new york city townhouse decorated for halloween

House Of Horrors - New York City - Halloween 2021

a photo of halloween decorations with skeletons at a new york city townhouse

Skeleton Crew

a photo of halloween decorations in new york city

Web Of Frights

a photo of halloween decorations with sinister clowns in new york city

Sinister Clowns - New York - Halloween 2021

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lenses: GF 30mm f/3.5

GF 23mm f/4

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Monday, December 20, 2021

Night Windows - Madison Avenue

New York's Eye-Catching Boutiques

I love strolling along Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side and browsing the creative window displays in the high end shops and boutiques. This area is New York's version of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills or Les Champs-Élysées in Paris.

I enjoy photographing the windows at night when the shops are closed, the sidewalks are deserted, and the lights enhance the colors, shapes, and textures of the creatively designed displays.

a photo of laduree macaron shop on madison avenue new york at night

Ladurée - Madison Avenue

a photo of colorful macaron in a new york boutique display window

Colorful Macarons - New York (2021)

a photo of boutique mannequins on madison avenue new york

Well-Dressed Mannequins - Madison Avenue

a complex shop window display on madison avenue in new york city

Potpourri - Madison Avenue (2021)

a photo of a boutique for dog and pet accessories on madison avenue in new york city

Pet Accessories - Madison Avenue - New York (2021)

Camera: Sony a7R IV

Lens: Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Friday, December 17, 2021

Metal - The East River Roundabout Sculpture by Alice Aycock

Public Displays Of Art

Sometimes you know exactly what you want to photograph. You plan your shoot in advance and set it up to control as many variables as you can.

Sometimes you have no idea what you might photograph. You wander around until your eye spots something interesting, and then you use your skills to create an image in your style using the things that you have discovered.

Most often, photography is a hybrid of these two approaches. We have an idea of what we want to shoot, but we end up incorporating elements and conditions that we could not have foreseen.

a photo of the east river roundabout sculpture in new york by alice aycock

East River Roundabout by Alice Aycock (Detail)

When I ventured out for a walk on a clear afternoon in late May, I had no idea that Alice Aycock's 'East River Roundabout' sculpture existed. My intention was to walk along the river on the jogging path on the East River Greenway.

Unfortunately, after a few blocks, I found that the path was closed for construction and completely impassable. I doubled back across the footbridge and pondered where to go next.

a photo of a footbridge to the east river greenway daniel south photography

Footbridge To The East River Greenway - New York (2021)

I decided to walk toward the Queensboro Bridge. I noticed that a barge with a large yellow crane was moored near the bridge. I thought that I might be able to find an interesting composition combining the crane, the bridge, and perhaps a passing cable car.

a photo of a yellow crane and a cable car near the queensboro bridge in new york

Bridge, Crane, and Cable Car - New York (2021)

As I was looking for viewpoints, I noticed that I was standing in a space covered by a large, open metal structure.

The structure didn't appear to have a clear purpose. It looked as though it might have been the skeleton of a building that was being assembled. Parts of it looked like gears or tracks that might have been part of the machines that drove the cable cars.

a photo of alice aycock east river roundabout sculpture in new york

East River Roundabout Sculpture by Alice Aycock - New York (2021)

People were hanging out under the sculpture, talking, reading the paper, browsing their phones. Some took in the view, took selfies and group shots. Families with children were playing ball. Every few minutes, the Roosevelt Island Tram would pass silently overhead.

a photo of the roosevelt island tram cable cars near the queensboro bridge

Roosevelt Island Tram Cable Cars - New York (2021)

Art encourages new perspectives. Surprises make the journey fun.

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lenses: GF 80mm f/1.7

GF 45mm f/2.8

GF 23mm f/4

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

On Being A Generalist

Standpipe At Night - Manhattan (2021)

When I began my study of photography, my goal was to become a generalist. I wanted to be able to capture memorable photos in any situation.

Whatever is most important, I want to be able to capture it. If it's a person, I want to create a portrait that they'll be proud of. If it's a location, I want people to look at the photos and want to know more about place or even want to travel there to see it.

a photo of a standpipe with steam at night in new york city

Standpipe At Night - Manhattan (2021)

This is the source of the motto in my signature. Be ready. Be ready for anything, and work as hard as you can when the opportunity presents itself.

You may only get one shot (pun intended). Be prepared, so you can make the best of it.

Camera: Fujifilm GFX 100S

Lenses: Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.