New York Frame of Mind---Veteran's Day Parade

While walking in New York in 2015, I came across a parade on Veteran's Day and caught the V-J Kiss just passing me, not all the far from where the picture was actually taken in Times Square a little over 70 years previously. I grabbed the camera and got a shot just as the float passed by. I have taken shots of a 25-foot version of that statue both in Saratoga and San Diego--although it might have been the same statue moving around on tour. Surprisingly, the statue doesn't stand in Times Square, where the original picture was taken, although it was there for a few months earlier in 2015. I missed that shot. I think there is another version of this statue in Key West. That sounds like it would be worth tracking down.

NYC--Brooklyn Bridge

New York Frame of Mind--Frozen Fountain

Now that's winter. A frozen fountain. Still running--sort of. From Bryant Park near 41st and 6th.

New York Frame of Mind---NYC Model Shoot

I am nearing the end of my month of New York City shots and I am getting quite depressed as there are still lots more New York shots from my portfolio that I haven't posted!!! Oh well, maybe I will do it again in the future. It has been fun looking back over the many trips that I have taken to New York City, a place that I love to visit. This trip, back in October 2015, included a seminar that I attended, taught by Roberto Valenzuela, a world-class wedding photographer, author and educator with a wonderful way of teaching. I learned a lot in those two days, skills that I use every time I shoot. We did a day of classes and a day of shooting, including working with an excellent group of professional models, including world-class photographer in his own right, Collin Pierson, pictured in the center frame in the top group, doing an excellent job posing as a model himself. Collin is another fantastic wedding photographer based right here in Chicago who also works as an educator helping other photographers. This is a strange industry that even while struggling under the pressure from wedding guests with cell phones, still has many of the top professionals working to teach others how to improve their craft. I am very grateful and indebted to their help. 

New York Frame of Mind---View from on high

After all the years of traveling to New York City, with my first trip way back in 1982 or so, I finally went up to the top of the Empire State Building in 2013. After a long day of meetings, I had the evening off and I figured with the light fog over the city, I would get a nice evening shot as the building lights started to come up. The bright light in the right corner is Times Square starting to light up the skyline. Even though I missed the sunset, it was a nice view.

New York Frame of Mind---Fashion Publications

The thing that is different about New York from any other place in the US that I have visited is that you can have a store that focuses specifically on one thing. To survive here, you have to specialize. This is a very Jay Maisel shot by the way. He is a famous New York photographer who says, "find an interesting background and wait until something interesting comes in front of it". I think the picture works better with a person in the foreground.

New York Frame of Mind---50% Off

This shot has been in my portfolio a long time as I took it back in 2011. Not sure why I have kept it. Something about the headless mannequin being 50% off strikes me as funny and the expression of the other mannequin of studied indifference adds to the scene.

New York Frame of Mind---Trinity Church Cemetery

A spring day in April 2011 makes the Trinity Church Cemetery look like a peaceful resting place although in real life it is a loud and noisy place sitting near the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. I didn't know if at the time, but this cemetery contains the final resting place of inventor Robert Fulton (steam engine) and Alexander Hamilton.

New York Frame of Mind--Colorful Buildings at Night

Night brings out the colors in buildings old and new.

New York Frame of Mind---Time Square American Flag

Happy President's Day. Seemed appropriate to post the America Flag from Times Square in New York on this day. Anyone who has been to Times Square has probably seen this flag. Really stands out in the evening against all the other neon on the square so I always enjoy taking a picture when I am there. This shot is from a 2015 visit.

New York Frame of Mind---Signs, Signs Everywhere There's Signs

For me, this is quintessential touristy New York picture, taken on 42nd Street near Times Square. Took this shot back in 2012 and it remains one of my favorites. Signs everywhere and people milling about looking to spend money in one way or another. One way to get crowds of tourists out of you picture is to shoot up and I did so, but I liked leaving the people in the shot as it gave a feeling of the crowds out and about without making the shot about them. A slightly compressed background with the lens at 70mm helps give the feeling that the signs are all over you.

New York Frame of Mind--Flatiron Building

A warmish winter's day back in February 2014 in New York City sort of matches the warmish winter's day we are having here in Chicago today. This, of course is the famous Flatiron Building with an ominous sky in the background. Fun building to shoot.

New York Frame of Mind---West Side Story

I turned around and saw this view and said, "West Side Story" to myself. So, of course, I had to shoot it.  I don't think I was actually on the west side--I am thinking I might have been somewhere near SoHo maybe, but no matter. With all those fire escapes, the buildings make a beautiful pattern.

New York Frame of Mind--Horace Greeley and the Supermodels at 34th Street

Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Herald Tribune, looks quite sad and not at all a "Titan" sitting in Herald's Square at 34th and Broadway, being stared at by supermodels all day and all night long. They seem to be ignoring him totally, as befitting three famous supermodels selling Victoria's Secret. What a way to spend posterity. Well, I am sure the ad has been replaced by now as I took the shot back in 2014. I think the Titan sign is part of a subway stop and not part of the statue. Not sure now. Have to go back and take a look. I loved the juxtaposition of the elements.

New York Frame of Mind-- Knickerbocker Hotel

This is the old Knickerbocker Hotel on 42nd and Broadway, right in the heart of the action in Times Square. It originally was build as a hotel by John Jacob Astor and eventually failed, becoming an office building and showrooms for the garment district. It was also home to Newsweek for awhile. Now, since 2013 a hotel again. I will have to try to stay here on a future visit. Beautiful building.

New York Frame of Mind---San Remo Building

With all the snow around, I need to see some green, so this shot, taken in October 2012 gives me an excuse to use a liquid filter around a Central Park shot of the San Remo building, a famous address overlooking the park. Must be a wonderful view for former residents like Demi Moore and Dustin Hoffman, among others.

New York Frame of Mind--Figurine Pop Up Store

I usually stay in New York around Bryant Park near 6th avenue in the 50's. As the fall turns into winter, a bunch of pop-up stores fill the park hoping to draw in Christmas shoppers. One store, for some unknown reason back in 2011, was selling little headless, shuolder-less figurines, some of them wearing jeans and a summer top. This shot is from outside the store as I didn't want to walk in shooting pictures and not buying anything. Over the years, it has turned into one of my favorites of my New York wanderings. I used a filter to enhance the colors. The original shot was posted in 2011. I like that version as well but this one is a fun shot as well.

New York Frame of Mind---42nd Street

One of my favorite shots taken while walking around the Times Square area was a shot taken back in December 2012 on 42nd street with of all the neon signs lighting up the night. With people all around, you get low and shoot back up to take out all the tourists. New York at night is always a wonderful place to shoot.

New York Frame of Mind--Colorful Street Scene

Even during the day, the Times Square area is full of color.

New York Frame of Mind--Surprising Color

Sometimes New York throws you some surprising color. Of course, Times Square at night is pure color. But office buildings? Not often. So, I was quite surprised to catch a couple of brightly colored buildings as I turned the corner back in 2015. Enjoy.

New York Frame of Mind--Flatiron Building

One of my favorite buildings in NYC is the Flatiron Building. I would love to see the view down Broadway from one of those narrow windows. Must be a strange and unique interior with lots of windows to cover!!!

New York Frame of Mind---St. Thomas Church on 5th Avenue

St. Thomas Church on 5th Avenue in Manhattan shows that attention to detail and architectural beauty that always surprises me when I look at gothic churches. It would be hard to see these details from street level. As New York City office buildings grew up around these churches, you can see these details more easily. This is the view from a financial advisor's office on 5th avenue. Quite amazing.

New York Frame of Mind--Macy's Winter Wonderland

With a winterly mix falling on the streets today, I thought I would be appropriate to post a Macy's winter window scene from a 2013 Christmas display. While our view outside as snow and freezing rain falls in Naperville isn't as nice, we all can remember wonderful winter days. Hope one comes along soon.

New York Frame of Mind--St. Patrick's on 5th Avenue

This shot of St Patrick's on 5th Avenue, shows the church surrounded by commerce and, surprisingly, some green grass on building tops. I took it on a rainy day back in 2010 with a Panasonic point-and-shoot. The rain made the greens really pop.

New York Frame of Mind---Tasty Times Square

Hershey was one company that got behind the revitalization of Times Square fairly early, putting on a big display and opening up a retail store that was always a fun, tasty treat to visit. This is one tourist trap that the kids drag mom and dad into, without much trouble. This shot is from Hershey's old display, taken back in 2008. They have a new location in Times Square with a bigger store but I like this display better.

New York City Library at night

With those colors, I had to take a shot!!!