The City that Never Sleeps

alright so... I haven't been updating this blog very often, mostly because I like to wait until I have taken pictures that I think are interesting enough to write about. I take thousands of pictures a month but only end up liking a few here and there, I guess that's how it goes though. For me it's worth it to go out and shoot for an entire day, even if I don't come back with anything I really love. You never know when you're going to get just the right shot, but when you do..it's a great feeling. I've been feeling a lot more creative and inspired lately. I think it's because I haven't been too overloaded with projects. When I have a lot of assignments due I'm not as focused on my own creativity because I get too worried about getting them done in time. The amount of classes I'm taking this semester is perfect, and I have Fridays off which is even better. It gives me a lot more time to wander around aimlessly and shoot whatever captures my eye. My photography classes are also a big reason for this boost in creativity. Because they are the first two photo course I have ever taken everything is brand new to me. The more I learn about Photography, the more I realize that this is what I was made to do. Seeing other artist's work really motivates me to shoot more and more. I want to be featured in Galleries, and I want my images to last. Whenever I am at a gallery and see an image that makes an impact on me, I think about how one day my work can do the same for someone else.

So a little more info about the pics above. The first three were taken on Sunday night while I walked from Canal street back to 31st. All of the brownstones in this city are breathtaking to me. I absolutely love the old architecture and am always photographing it. I am really drawn to that window shot for some reason...I love the feeling of night time and the curiosity that windows create in general. The soft lighting from inside combined with the sheer curtain is so beautiful to me. The second and third shots were both taken in China Town, and are both from aquarium stores which were basically on the same block. I loved the neon lights combined with the movement and color of the goldfish. I made the shot of the empty fishbowls a considerable amount darker than it was...I feel like it makes it more interesting because of how much contrast there is between the lights and the shadows.

The last two pictures are just a couple of shots from completely different times last month. I was standing on a pier and this tug boat was headed straight for me...of course I didn't think to move, just photographed them instead. They just pulled right up to the edge of the pier and brought a ladder out to let some people off. It was such a random moment, and I love this shot of them climbing up. I probably like the shot more because of my memory of it..but oh well.

The final shot is from the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park. The untouched snow on the shrubs looked so peculiar and I decided I liked it better in black and white. I tried to get an angle that showed the diagonal that the bushes made along the lawn. I also got yelled at in the process of taking shots of the gardens....but I've never been one to let fences prevent me from getting the shot I want.

Well...I ended up writing a lot more than I had planned. Hope you like the pics :)