Long Island Beginnings

The tip of Long Island, as seen from Gantry State Plaza in Queens

High Rises aren't exactly what you'd first associate with suburban Long Island and people are often confused why Long Island is so boldly written across old container lifts at Gantry State Plaza in Queens. But as a matter of fact, not only Queens but Brooklyn as well technically are part of Long Island indeed. Even though both boroughs are a far cry from suburban lawns and picket fences. Incidentally, this part of town - with it's spectacular Manhattan views - has been booming for a few years and it's a far cry from the Queens I moved to in 1998. None of these buildings existed back then, and the park had just opened!

Global

The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

In my opinion, the impressive Queens Unisphere is one of the most under-appreciated landmarks in NYC. I am simply awed by it,but it is always hard to convey how gigantic it really seems. It is 140 feet (42+ meters) tall and you feel truly dwarfed standing in front of it. I always pass by it on my way into NYC but never stop. This time I did and hopefully will do so many more times.

Caught

Nathan's Famous, Coney Island, NY

Normally I only post photos taken very recently on this blog. But for this one, I am making an exception. After a major computer meltdown a few weeks ago, I was lucky to be able to rescue most of my photographs, but a few were irretrievably lost. This here is one of them and probably my favorite. The reason I can show it here is because I had previously uploaded a very much downsized version to Flickr. I love unpredictable street shots like this and am bummed that I won't ever be able to print it for my collection at a decent size.

Fossilized

Fossilized and vandalized Dial-Up Telephone

I see this phone every day on my way to work and have been wanting to photograph it forever. It speaks of truly bygone times. I am not sure that the children of the 2010s will be able to recognize it by sight. It also speaks of a story, especially if you zoom in closely and spot the three variations of the same telephone number carved or keyed into the outer casing. Since I wont' ever be able to find out what it's all about, I just might make it up...

Liberated

There are many different ways to "see" the Statue of Liberty in NYC

Sticking with the current theme once again, here's another shot of the Statue of Liberty, this one straight off a tour bus, which nevertheless will get you there eventually - after a boat ride, of course, and my guess is that it will cost you extra, but I really don't know for sure.

Framed

Distant Statue of Liberty, seen through a window on the Staten Island Ferry on a hazy day

Since I am at it, I thought a shot of "the real thing" might be in order. Despite the fact of having lived in or near NYC for more than 17 years and having taken many many photographs, it just recently occurred to me that I have very few shots of all the classic landmark buildings and locations. Yet, the typical tourist shots bore me and therefore mine always come out a little different. In this case, I was actually much more enamored with the turquoise worn out window frames.

Jaundice

Empire State Building glowing yellow tonight

I know, I haven't posted much lately - too busy with holiday preps and other things. But, I went to the city today for Christmas shopping, dragged my camera along "just in case". Wish I hadn't because now my shoulder hurts and I didn't really take any pics. But when I stepped outside the Manhattan Mall at 32nd and 6th, I couldn't help but be struck by the fact that the Empire State Building was yellow during Christmas season (usually it's red, green and white throughout all of December). But boy, did it look pretty against the darkening blue sky, so here's my shot for today. It isn't all that sharp because instead of my tripod all I had was a bicycle chained to a lamp post to steady my camera at 1/5 of a second. I still like it though, especially because the camera shake makes the moon look full although it wasn't ;). Oh - and why is it yellow? I had to Google that: "The Simpsons Movie DVD release from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment".

Rushed

Museum of Modern Art, NYC

These are two levels of the atrium at the Museum of Modern Art, and this is me in "city mode". Pretty pics go out the window fast and weird stuff pops up. Most people don't like it but, I do ;)