Week 33 Trip #2
August 25, 2016
Harlem (finally)
Midtown
Train In/Out: Fairfield, CT
Miles walked: 6
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with m.Zuiko 17mm f1.8, m.Zuiko 8mm fisheye
Unexpected trip #2 into the city this week. Last minute invite from some photography friends to join them on a trip in to see a Diane Arbus photography exhibit and to do some street photography. Hard to say no to that invite!
Onward...with friends and a little extra caution.
Last minute decision, we got off at Harlem / 125th street. I have never ventured into Harlem. I was a teenager in the 80's when you did NOT go to Harlem. I've heard it's changed quite a bit, and it was a great visit today. I would not choose to go alone but I look forward to exploring more of Harlem with friends in the fall. We only had about an hour and a half today.
The stairs leading down from the platform.
Didn't know there was a beautiful old station at 125th. Gorgeous woodwork.
Yep. A snake.
He was such a gentleman, an artist.
This was his friend sitting next to him.
You may recognize the logo, they sell Sylvia's canned veggies, etc, in the grocery stores (here in Connecticut, anyway). This is her restaurant (although she did pass away).
Guitars on the walls.
I loved his shirt, asked if I could take a picture. It's funny because I talked to more people in Harlem than I ever have in Manhattan. Perhaps because I was with a group, but there was also a very friendly atmosphere there. The residents seemed happy that we were exploring their area.
Busy with 2 cell phones.
Love this one...the boy walking by is just in the frame (I was waiting for someone to come by...imagine that, me being patient!).
There were some beautiful homes.
Hitting golf balls against a wall.
Yes, there's an orb / lens flare on his leg. Not sure what it is.
This is my friend, Jeff, who was part of our photo group. He and I talked to this guy for a while. Jeff bought his CD.
I stopped him and asked for a picture, he was kind enough to say yes. I did this one with selective color on his hat. Next one is the B/W version. Can't decide what I like better.
Yeah, I just love the t-shirts of New York.
She was pretty beat up. Band-aid over her eye, scabs on her face. :(
Had to do it. :)
The irony...
Our main destination of the day was a photo exhibit at a small, secondary location of The Met.
My photographer friends fooling with some masks outside the museum.
I believe the art piece is called "You or me".
Another guy riding a bike not on the seat. I got a fun picture a few weeks ago near the Flat Iron like this as well (that one was better).
I was focused on getting a shot of her (her clothes looked so chic)...bonus was when I got home and saw the bike guy in the background!
It started to rain so I switched to the fisheye because my 8mm lens is weatherproof. I'm really starting to love doing street with the fisheye. Challenging because you have to be REALLY close to a person to fill the frame. I also like the warped nature of the fisheye (but that's just me, it's not for everyone).
What I liked here was all the fancy clothes in the window versus how the woman was dressed...she's dressed basically how I dress, too. Yet the window displays suggest otherwise. I think I would stand out in my small town dressed like the displays. :)
Goals.
St. Patrick's cathedral selfie.
My friend, Gene, working a shot.
A favorite of the day. My group chatted with him for a while. He was a character, told us to take all the pictures we wanted. Did ask for a little change which I gave him. :)
I was losing light so this is not as sharp as I would like but I loved the shirt and stopped to ask him for a picture.
He was a character, too. Definitely worked hard to try and sell us on a CD. Super nice when Gene declined. Classy dude.
Another view of the west side of Grand Central now that the skyscraper is gone.
Until the next Magic Thursday, ha ha. That may not happen again this year, but I very much enjoyed exploring Harlem today with friends.
Until the next Magic Monday (which is actually going to be a Tuesday next week, but for a special reason..).
xo,
~MC
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