New York
Read More
The Wonder of the City
Last weekend I was visiting family in NJ and had one of those "my Italian father in the kitchen watching TV and having a 4am snack" kind of moments. So, since I wasn't going to be sleeping, I grabbed my camera, whacked down a couple of espressos, and drove into the city. I had forgotten how amazing it is to be in the city on a Sunday morning. The streets are empty, daylight is just starting to peek in.....and there is a quiet peacefulness as the city comes to life. My first stop was Grand Central Station. I stood on this pathway on the second level of for about 30 minutes and took about 50 shots.....really waiting for someone to walk into that lighted circle. This was my last one. I couldn't have positioned this couple any better myself...and the young lady popping her head up to look at the globe.....that was a nice bonus.
2016HDRNYNYCTrainamazementarchitecturecolorgrandcentralgrandcentralstationinteriorlightmanhattannewyorksonysonya7rstreetlifetravelwonder
The Wee Small Hours of the Morning
In the wee small hours of the morning……..
A view of New York City at first light of day….taken from Frank Sinatra’s hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey.
Everytime I visit NJ, I make this great plan. I set my alarm clock for about 5am with the idea of getting up early and driving to Hoboken (birthplace of Frank Sinatra) to watch the sunrise over NYC. Well, the first 2 steps (setting the alarm and going to bed) work great. I’m a champ at those. However, my plan always flops on the “get up early” part. Either it’s too cold, too early, too much traffic…. or (more than likely) I’m hungry and there are still some cannolis in my mothers refrigerator. But, on this one morning, I pushed past my urges for more sleep and food, and I did it. Woke up, dressed, got in the car, made the drive, grabbed a hot cup of coffee, and sat on a little bench to watch a new day break through the darkness. The sky went from black, to blue to yellow and red in just a few minutes...........And that was the perfect amount of time, because I was tired of wiping the mist off my camera lens…………and Carlo's bakery was about open…..and moms fridge was out of cannolis.5dm3ESBNYNYCSummerbigapplecanoncitycloudscolorempirestatebuildingholidayhudsonlightmorningnewyorkpinkredriverskyskylinesunrisetourismtravelvacationwateryellow
Brooklyn View
One of my favorite scenes in NYC, although it took me about 20 years before I realized you could see the Empire State Building under the bridge. It's amazing what you can learn when you just stop moving and stand still for a minute. Next to me on either side were about 20 other photgraphers all shooting this same iconic scene. So, I had to figure out how to not end up with the same exact photo that every one else had? Luckily, Brooklyn cab drivers are patient enough to give you a few seconds to move before they roll over you. This guy was nice enough to even stop until I was done....but then he had some less-than-cordial words for me as he passed. Not the first time I have been yelled at by a NYC cab driver....and probably not the last. All part of a fun day in the City..
HDRNYCbrooklynempirestatebuildingeveningholidaymanhattanmanhattanbridge ESBnewyorkcitynightsonya7rsunsettaxitravel
The City is Alive and Well
The Flatiron Building, NYC
Autumn in Central Park
The beauty of Central Park never ceases to amaze me. On this particular day, the sky was bright blue and the trees were alive with bright fall colors. However, in the end, I think black and white suits NYC the best. Its completely timeless.
NYCnewyorkcitymanhattancentralparkdayfallautumncolorredyellowskybluebuildingsreflectionlakecloudsHDRny
A Winter Day in NYC
Looking up on the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street.
NYCnewyork. citybuildingsarchitecturestonesteelstreetsunstarperspectiveHDRplazany
A New York Minute
Got to spend a few days with my daughters (well, 2 of them, but I’ll take what I can get) back in my hometown of Cranford, NJ. The weather never got above 30 degrees, so there wasn't a whole lot of exploring….but there were still awesome moments.... with some lifelong friends. Our conversations brought up a lot of “Do you remember when….” and “Whatever happened to……”. And, even though the weather messed up our plans for New York City, the view from NJ is still amazing.
HDRNYCbigapplecanoncityholidayhudsonlightmorningnewyorknightriverskyskylinetourismtravelvacationwater
Empty Sky Memorial
The Empty Sky memorial in Liberty State Park. I have been here many times over the last 5 years, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I really “saw it”……if that makes sense. I was there about an hour before sunset….perfect time for this amazing ring of light to appear and bring to life the 746 names etched along the walls.
911HDRNYCemptyskymemorialfreedomlibertylibertystateparklightmemorialnewjerseynewyorknjsonya7rsonyimagestribute
From New Jersey
Shelter in the Storm
Bethesda Terrace during a snowstorm....I had it on my bucket list for many years, and this year, I finally got to see it. This was taken at about 9am after it had been snowing for 5 hours.. You would think I had the place to myself....but nothing stops New Yorkers. Several seriously committed joggers came through here as I was setting up....and countless folks walking their dogs or just strolling through the park. I pretty much froze my fingers off waiting.....but totally worth it
HDRNYCUSAWinterbethesdablizzardcentralparkcitycolorglowholidaylightnewyorksnowsunrisetourismtravelvacationwater
A Winter Walk
I absolutely love looking at this picture. It was an early morning in the dead of winter and a huge blizzard had covered New York City.....and I was lucky enought to be there to see it. Just after dawn, I headed to this location....the mall in Central Park. I had alwys wondered what it would look like covered in snow. It was utterly surreal and peaceful ....and , um, cold. Really cold. My hands and feet were pretty frozen. Still, I would do it again in a heartbeat.....but with better gloves.
NYCUSAblizzardcentralparkcityglowholidaylightmanhattanmorningnewyorksnowsonya7rsunrisetourismtravelvacationwalk
Canal Street Night Music
In the wee small hours of the morning......Lower Manhattan. At this time of the night, the shops have closed, the street vendors are gone.....and the city has a life all its own. Its peaceful......good for late night walks, a blanket in the park.....or just watching life go by. I have passed by this exact spot dozens of times......but it wasn't until this 1am visit that I really saw it.
HDRNYNYCSummercanalstreetcarcitycityscapecloudsdarkeveninglowermanhattanmanhattannewyorknightstreetlightstraffic
