Tag Archives: east village

Why children are kind of magic…

1 May

On my walk home the other day, I decided to take a slight detour to explore the Avenue B community garden for the first time this season.  It’s a great little garden in the neighborhood, with narrow pathways winding through all kinds of flowers, herbs and plants.  It has a messy, wild feel to it and you can almost forget you’re in New York while lost in this 1/2 block oasis in alphabet city.

As I walked around the garden, taking pictures of flowers in the spirit of spring, I ran into a little boy.  He was also taking pictures – with his mom’s iPhone.  He was the cutest little thing in a Curious George t-shirt.  I started talking to him about photography and showed him some of the pictures I had taken.  He was very personable and outgoing and was interested in my camera and my photos.  His name is Duy, he’s Vietnamese (his mother told me), he’s seven years old and he takes photography lessons from a classmate’s photographer father who lives in the neighborhood and teaches the kids in his spare time. (PS… I’d totally love to teach little kids photography!!).

Duy

I told Duy that I like taking pictures because it makes me notice things more and pay more attention to what’s around me.  He agreed and from that point on we were fast friends.  He’d wander off into another area of the garden and then call me over to come look at a variety of flower.  Then he’d take my hand and pull me over to see the turtle swimming around in the little pond. It was so cute.  We probably hung out for almost an hour, taking pictures together… much more time than I would have spent in the garden if I had just been exploring alone.

This is why I enjoy children so much. Spending time with them tends to awaken the inner child in me.  It feeds that sense of discovery and exploration and fun – just being in the moment, wandering around with nowhere to be and no time constraints. With children, the most simple and mundane experiences can become an adventure.  Imagination takes over.  Boredom doesn’t exist.  Everything suddenly has a little more magic.  I think my photos benefitted from hanging out with Duy that day.  His awe and contagious excitement inspired me.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Woodstock On My Mind

8 Mar

Hello faithful readers!  I know I’ve been MIA for a few days but before I get into that, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading my dishes and specifically to thank you for commenting – especially on my last post.  I’m obviously someone who thinks deeply about things and I’m constantly pondering my life, the decisions I’ve made, those I have yet to make and everything in between.  Sometimes I feel like sharing and writing about what’s on my mind and sometimes I don’t.  But when I do decide to share and I get comments from you, with your stories, your support and your words of encouragement, it truly means so much to me.  It makes me feel like all this is for a reason… and maybe I’m too close to it all now to see what that reason is, but it gives me such a lift and makes me want to keep going and sharing.  So thank you… really.

Anyway, I left on Friday afternoon for a weekend away in Woodstock with some friends.  It all started back during the Woodstock Film Festival.  I had some trouble with the house we rented, and the house manager was kind enough to offer us another weekend away at a gorgeous luxury property to make it up to us.  We decided to take advantage of it this weekend.  So at around three o’clock, we piled into our friends’ old beat-up Honda Civic, “Goldie Honda” is her name, and we hit the road with puppy Lola (apparently a car puker) along for the ride.

We made it all the way to Woodstock with no doggy accidents and were eagerly anticipating our first view of the house when we took the final turn and joy… our super steep private mountain road was covered with a sheet of ice about three inches thick.  Goldie Honda wasn’t exactly feeling that.  Gunning the engine and putting the car into low gear did nothing.  So we attempted a three-point turn… again… a challenge when you’re on a steep hill covered in solid ice.  The car did some sideways sliding down the hill (I’ve seriously never seen anything like it) – but we were finally able to turn around and get back down to some flat ground, where we could build up some momentum again.  We made one more failed attempt at the hill, then retreated, defeated and hungry.   We had chains in the trunk, but none of us knew how to put them on and it was getting really dark, so we decided to go into town, get some groceries and a flashlight, figure out how to put the chains on in the grocery store parking lot and then we’d go back and tackle the hill once again.

Unfortunately, that idea didn’t go so smoothly either.  As we drove into town, the car started acting up and was no longer switching gears.  We literally coasted into a grocery store parking lot in neutral.  Now Goldie Honda seemed to be dead.  We had all our luggage with us, we were hungry, we had little Lola puppy with us so we couldn’t eat dinner in a restaurant and we hadn’t even seen our beautiful house yet!!  Thus, plan B was put into effect.  I called Woodstock Taxi service and spoke to a guy on the phone who made everything seem ok.  I told him what happened and asked him if he had four-wheel drive.  He said he knew about cars and claimed he wasn’t worried – he’d made it up every mountain road in town before.  He was confident he’d get us up that hill.

He arrived twenty minutes later in a piece of crap old mini van with over three hundred thousand miles on it.  It was making whining noises.  We were not confident.  We drove back up that windy mountain road and when we got to the steep part, he gunned that mini van engine and up, up, up we went until… nope.  He couldn’t make it either.  Now he’s cursing and we’re out of luck.  It became clear that no car was getting up that hill so we did what we had to do.  We unloaded the van – through the front – so as not to be smooshed by the van sliding backwards down the hill, and we hoofed our luggage up until we arrived at driveway number ninety.  Sheesh.

Considering all the drama, we were all in fairly good spirits, so we cooked up our frozen burgers (eh) and immediately switched into party mode – wine, Scotch and rummy 500.  Way to make lemonade right?

The next day we found out that Goldie Honda was indeed dead so we made the arrangements to donate her and we took a taxi to Kingston to rent an SUV with four-wheel drive!  The rest of the weekend went much more smoothly – lots of rummy 500, some cheese fondue (Comte, Gruyere and a local Colby) and some nice Woodstock chill time.  Unfortunately, by the time we actually got to slow down and relax it was pretty much time to turn around and head back.  But hey… it was an adventure!

Here are my long overdue photos from the last five days:

Photo 328 out of 365 – “The Birds”

"The Birds" - Settings: ISO 400, f/11, 1/320 sec, 50mm lens

On 7th street in the East Village, there is a big family of birds that hang out on the roof of one of the buildings and every few minutes, they all take off and fly around in unison a few times and then land again.  It’s crazy.  I’ve actually taken a bunch of photos of them in action and I plan to do a series of three images – maybe with some funky sky colors in the background?  Anyway, someone told me that the birds are sort of cared for by this man who has lived in the neighborhood for years and years and he is the one who trained them to fly around like that.  I don’t know if it’s true… but it seems just crazy enough to be true in this neighborhood.

Photo 329 out of 365 – “Oh No Lola”

"Oh No Lola" - Settings: ISO 6400, f/2.5, 1/30 sec, 85mm lens

I took this the night of all our car drama.  This is little Lola – you’ve seen her in previous posts.  Now Lola would never do anything wrong… she’s a little angel pup.  But in this photo doesn’t it look like she’s done something bad and she’s about to get scolded?

Photo 330 out of 365 – “Retro Basement”

"Retro Basement" - Settings: ISO 1600, f/4.5, 1/80 sec, 50mm lens

This is a sweet basement that belongs to a work colleague of Adam’s.  We went to visit his place in Woodstock and his basement is pimped out straight from the seventies!  Gotta love disco balls.  Sexy.

Photo 331 out of 365 – “Intimidating Adam”

"Intimidating Adam" - Settings: ISO 640, f/2, 1/400 sec, 50mm lens

I took this picture of Adam as my first homework assignment for my portraiture class.  I had to take two portraits of the same person.  One was supposed to make the subject appear powerful, strong and aggressive.  The other, was supposed to make the subject appear docile and vulnerable.  Adam was my model.  Here’s the vulnerable one:

"Vulnerable Adam" - Settings: ISO 640, f/2, 1/400 sec, 50mm lens

And finally…

Photo 332 out of 365 – “Fur and Fleece”

"Fur and Fleece" - Settings: ISO 200, f/3.5, 1/60 sec, 50mm lens

Yesterday I was standing behind this woman, waiting to cross the street at Astor Place.  I pretty much always want to take pictures of old people.  There’s something about them that inspires me.  And this woman was no different.  She looked so proud and capable – walking by herself in her fur coat and this bright-colored fleece scarf around her head.  I’m glad I caught her – even if just from the side/back.

So that’s all for tonight folks!  Private Parts is on and I’m going to go flop on the couch.  Hope everyone had a good weekend!

PS… what do you think of the new design?  I thought it was time to spice things up a bit!  I’d love to hear your feedback!

And… I’m BACK!

7 Feb

So – it’s been several days since my last post, but I am about 95% healthy again!  Yay!  The chicken soup, neti potting, ten thousand cups of tea and massive amounts of clementines definitely seemed to do the trick.  I love when the body rallies!

Anyway, tonight I had a divine cheese experience at Casellula – a place in hell’s kitchen I’ve been dying to try.  They had quite an extensive cheese menu and I went with a couple cheese-maniac friends of mine – Manuela, my fellow Murray’s cave intern and Andrew, a monger at Murray’s.  We got to sample ten cheeses – each served with a pairing treat of some sort – almost all of the pairings were made in-house.  The cheeses were awesome!  Our tasting tonight blew away the tasting experience Manuela and I had at Artisanal the other week.   I brought home the menu so I can list for you all the cheeses that we tried.  However, I’m going to do that tomorrow because it’s already almost ten and I need some QT with the hubby!

Here are my pictures from the last four days:

Photo 300 out of 365 – “Monger Madness”

"Monger Madness" - Settings: ISO 1600, f/5, 1/60 sec, 85mm lens

Yes… just another day at Murray’s buying cheese.  I was there last Thursday and this monger in the picture here is Michael.  It was his birthday and he was dressed to impress!  There’s always a lively time to be had at Murray’s!

Photo 301 out of 365 – “Bird Watching”

"Bird Watching" - Settings: ISO 100, f/4, 1/250 sec, 85mm lens

I took this photo last Friday.  I was walking by Tompkins Square Park in the East Village and there was a tree just on the inside of this fence with hundreds of these little birds in it.  Every couple minutes, they’d venture out from the tree and would line up on the fence or poke around on the sidewalk – until someone would walk by.  Then they’d spaz out and all fly back to the tree.  I was there taking pictures for a good ten to fifteen minutes before I got this photo I wanted – of the little bird on the fence in sharp focus with the neighborhood behind in blur (shallow depth of field).

Photo 302 out of 365 – “Dave”

"Dave" - Settings: ISO 6400, f/2.5, 1/60 sec, 85mm lens

Here’s our friend Dave again… he is super photogenic – it’s such a blast taking pictures of him!  I’m going to do head shots for him when it warms up a bit outside, which I’m really looking forward to.  Anyway, I’ve decided to spend the next week or so shooting in black and white – just to focus more on light and shadow and form.  I started this on Saturday and I’ve been enjoying the change of pace!  Everything sort of looks more serious in black and white – a little more artful in a way.

Photo 303 out of 365 – “Jake Plays Piano”

"Jake Plays Piano" - Settings: ISO 6400, f/2, 1/100 sec, 85mm lens

This here is little Jake – serenading us during the Superbowl halftime show with a piano recital.  He is gooooood.  I’m talking serious musical gift good… which is really quite inspiring and amazing to see in a five year old child.  It also makes me want to go back to taking piano lessons.  Another thing to add to the list!

Ok – signing off for tonight.  I’ll report more on our delicious cheese selection tomorrow!

Robinson Farm Cheese

28 Jan

Happy Friday everyone!  I want to get to cheese right away… but first, I’ll post my photo from yesterday… you can see NYC in it’s snowy splendor!

Photo 293/365 – “East Village Snowed In”

"East Village Snowed In" - Settings: ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/80 sec, 24-105mm lens (24mm)

Now on to the good stuff.  I’m sitting at my desk with a plate of three Robinson Farm cheeses in front of me.  This is a sight I enjoy throughly.  Again, I want to thank Bennett, who works with my friend Faye.  He found out about my love for cheese and had these samples sent to me a couple days later in the mail. That totally rocks and it totally made my week!  Bennett’s family owns Robinson Farm in Hardwick, Massachusetts and they make these cheeses! I can’t wait to visit.  Now, I’m going to do some tasting…  and I think I’m going to type while I taste!

Here is the plate (pardon the light… it’s dark out and my lighting kind of stinks in here):

Robinson Farm Tasting Plate

The cheeses from left to right are Robinson Family Swiss, A Barndance and Tekenink Tomme.  All three cheeses are a nice golden yellow in color.  That is one hint to the consumer that raw milk is being used.  When raw milk is used (instead of pasteurized), the beta carotene from the cow’s diet (grass/clover) passes through the digestive system into the milk and gives the cheese this rich golden color.  Also, many would argue that using raw milk gives the cheeses much more nuanced flavors! ** (I was actually corrected on this point by one of my cheese aficionado friends from Murray’s… while the rich golden color in cow’s milk cheese does come from the beta carotene in the grass, which cows do not convert into Vitamin A during digestion, pasteurization does not really have an effect on this!)

We’ll start with the Swiss:

Robinson Family Swiss

The Robinson Family Swiss has little holes throughout – mostly pea-sized or smaller.  The cheese feels pretty soft and pliable in my hand – but not soft and runny… more like really firm tofu.  When I smell the cheese, it smells really buttery and bright – and a little like fresh hay.  And with a second big whiff – I totally get buttered popcorn!  Now it’s time to taste…  the first taste sensation I get is sweet… then a little nuttiness comes through… then a little bit of that bitter (but delicious) taste that I often get with swiss cheeses and then I got a little bit of the salivating under my tongue.  And the taste really stays on my palette… it’s delicious!  I love the texture – smooth and creamy.  This is a cheese I could definitely snack on.

Ok… on to the next:  A Barndance:

A Barndance

Also golden in color, A Barndance is semi-firm and pliable as well.  It feels a tad bit drier than the Swiss.  When I smell it, it smells a little garlicky almost… but mild.  In terms of taste… the first taste sensation I get with this one is sour.  Then salty.  As I get closer to the rind, I get a little more nutty and damp cave taste.  But this cheese to me is definitely more tart than the Swiss. And also more subtle.  I like this one as well… but I like the Swiss much better!  I’m starting to find I like cheeses with much bolder flavors these days though… so it’s entirely personal.  This cheese is supposedly an excellent melter – fondue or grilled cheese perhaps?!

Finally – on to the finale… Tekenink Tomme:

Tekenink Tomme

The Tomme has a similar color and consistency to the others.  The rind is a little more orange – it is a washed-rind I believe, but I can’t seem to confirm that on the website.  So… let’s sniff.  Oooh… this one definitely has a more piquant smell… it also smells more animaly than the other two.  It kind of smells like wet hay mixed with barn.  I’m excited.   Now to taste…  the first taste sensation I get with this one is bitter (but in a good way).  The taste instantly travels to the back of my throat….it’s a much bigger taste than the other two.  It’s salty and creamy and buttery, but definitely has a more animal funk flavor.  I think it’s my favorite of the three.

So – all in all, really tasty cheeses from Robinson Farm.  I read that they are pretty new to the cheese making scene (since 2006) – and that is so cool, because in a relatively short amount of time, they have created some seriously delicious cheeses.  I’m excited to plan a visit in the spring/summer – perhaps they’ll let me take some pictures of the cheese making process!  Oh – and for those of you in Massachusetts, check the site out!  They sell organic beef, eggs and veggies in addition to these awesome cheeses.  I’ll be following along their cheese progress on Facebook!

Well jeez.  That’s fun.  Anyone else want to send me samples of cheese?  I’ll take pictures and blog about it!  :)

It’s All About The Light

25 Jan

I’m always in love with the warm afternoon light that falls over the city at certain hours of the day.  Over the summer – that light was around more like 7:30 in the evening – but now, in the middle of the winter, it’s really more like three to four o’clock.   Yesterday, I was gazing out my window at 3:44pm and admiring the smoke stacks spewing out steam.  The steam was so white and cloud-like against the blue sky, and the afternoon light was perfect, making everything in the foreground so vivid.

Photo 290 out of 365 – “Smoke Stacks”

"Smoke Stacks" - Settings: ISO 100, f/13, 1/160 sec, 50mm lens

Then, a little over an hour later, at 4:57pm, I noticed that the scene had totally changed.  Instead of the steam being white, it now had a purply hue.  Instead of the smoke stacks and other buildings being bathed with light, they looked more like silhouettes against the lit sky behind them.  I tried to take the exact same photo as earlier as a study on how light changes a photograph dramatically.  Here is the second one:

"Smoke Stacks II" - Settings: ISO 200, f/9, 1/200 sec, 50mm lens

I enjoy the first one much more!  What do you think?

The East Village’s Little India

21 Jan

Photo 285 out of 365 – “Little India’s Restaurant Row”

"Little India's Restaurant Row" - Settings: ISO 1600, f/4, 1/50 sec, 24-105mm lens (24mm)

I took a Pilates class last night and ended up walking home from 24th and Lex.  It was a nice power walk.  My friend Erin gabbed to me on the phone for most of the time while I hoofed it.  Anyway, by the time I got to the East Village, I was having some crazy paneer cravings.  So, I headed over to 6th street and 1st Ave and ordered me some Indian takeout.  Yum.

While my food was being prepared, I went outside to snag some pictures.  This neon madness is on 1st Ave between 5th and 6th street.  It is called “Little India’s Restaurant Row”.  There are some decent spots here – I’ve eaten at a few of them – Brick Lane and Banjara to name a couple, but I believe the best neighborhood in Manhattan for Indian food is “Curry Hill” on Lexington in the upper 20′s.  I was right there!  But the cravings hadn’t kicked in yet.  Ahhh…. next time.

Anyway, it always cracks me up… these guys stand outside these places and call and wave you in as you’re walking by.  They can actually be quite aggressive at times!  I thought I should document it as I walk by fairly frequently and find it to be a funny scene.

 

 

Now I love Beets.

10 Jan

We had the pleasure of having Adam’s niece Michele in town for a visit this weekend.  She is on holiday break from her freshman year of college in California.  While Michele was here, Adam and I were constantly trying to get her to expand her horizons… from tasting new foods, to trying out a new haircut, to trying on new styles of clothes, etc.  At times she seemed frustrated by the pressure we were putting on her, but by the end of the weekend, she seemed like a new woman… more confident, more open-minded and more happy with herself.  (Am I right Michele?  I know you’re reading this).

This experience made me think of how much I’ve grown as a person since I was Michele’s age.  When I was in college I…

  • hated tons of different foods that I love now (sushi, beets, ginger, cilantro, salmon, spinach, blue cheese, olives, sausage, white wine, pork)
  • hardly ever cooked – mostly because I was intimidated
  • smoked cigarettes
  • had a mini identity crisis because I got rejected from my top choice sorority (I really wanted to be one of the “cool” girls and believed that was my way in)…. in retrospect, it was the wrong place for me anyway.
  • never had a boyfriend – most likely because I was constantly attracted to the wrong guys
  • was lazy and complacent in regards to finding and exploring my passions

Now – after ten years in NYC, I am living a much richer and more fulfilling life than I ever did in my college years and before.  The biggest part of that, has been keeping an open mind and trying new things all the time, paying close attention to what makes me happy and what doesn’t (that also includes relationships), changing things when they’re not making me happy (even if its REALLY hard to do so), and no longer trying to be ‘cool’ – instead – just really trying to be me.

It felt good telling Michele that so far… the older I get, the happier I get.  It makes me excited for what lies ahead.

Anyway – let’s catch up with the photo project!  Here are my photos from the weekend:

Photo 273 out of 365 – “Statue in Tompkins Square Park in Winter”

"Statue in Tompkins Square Park in Winter" - Settings: ISO 100, f/3.2, 1/400 sec, 50mm lens

 

Photo 274 out of 365 – “Congee Village”

"Congee Village" - Settings: ISO 100, f/1.2, 1/250 sec, , 50mm lens

 

Photo 275 out of 365 – “Glass Bottles on the Barber Shop Windowsill”

"Glass Bottles on the Barber Shop Windowsill" - Settings: ISO 200, f/5, 1/2000 sec, 50mm lens

 

Good Morning Monday!

22 Nov

I must say this was a super relaxing and enjoyable weekend.  It was very chill, with lots of time spent cozied up at home with Adam.  I also saw two movies, several friends and re-discovered a yummy little restaurant just a few blocks away!

Movie #1 - Harry Potter.  LOVED IT!  Seriously, I was so sad when it ended, I could have spent another five hours in the theater immersed in the world of Potter & gang.  I now want to go back and watch every Harry Potter from the beginning as I’ve forgotten many of the details – plus, it’s fun to see them all as little kids now!

Movie #2 - 127 Hours.  This was obviously a crazy film… and I totally liked it!  I definitely had to close my eyes through the whole arm-cutting scene – but James Franco was amazing and the story is incredible.  I can’t believe it’s true.  It is one inspirational survival story.

As for the rest of the weekend, Saturday after hanging out at home for most of the day, reading, photo-editing, catching up on emails, etc, Adam and I went out for an early-bird dinner at around six o’clock.  I’m telling you… that’s the way to do it on a Saturday night in Manhattan.  We didn’t have to wait for a table, the neighborhood was still quiet and we were home and in our PJs by eight o’clock.  Yes, we’ve become little old people.  But we like it.  So it’s cool.

We went to this place called Sake Bar Satsko on 7th street between B & C.  It is such a cozy spot with a nice variety of Sakes on the menu.  We decided to go for a bottle… needless to say, we got rather smashed!  The chef/owner was there and we got to meet her, which was fun.  I’m actually sending her a few photos fr0m dinner that I took!  We ordered delicious gyoza (pork/beef dumplings), edamame, tuna tataki and chicken curry.  It was a great meal – my favorite parts were the dumplings, the music they were playing and the overall ambiance… very enjoyable spot.

Photo 225 out of 365 – “Condensation”

"Condensation" - Settings: ISO 6400, f/4, 1/30 sec, 100mm macro lens

I took this photo at dinner with the macro lens.  It is a closeup of an ice bucket, with condensation on it.  The red color is the reflection from the red beaded lamp hanging above our table.  I’m just so amazed and awed by the incredible detail this lens allows me to capture.  Lately, you can find me taking photos about an inch away from such things as brick walls, tree trunks and the textured metallic surface on the inside of the new subway cars.  I’m looking at everything in a new way now.  It’s refreshing.

Photo 226 out of 365 – “Jonny H.”

“Jonny H.” – Settings: ISO 6400, f/3.2, 1/50 sec, 100mm macro lens

Sunday I had the pleasure of enjoying catch-up sessions with a few special peeps.  My friend Jonny – of the wonderfully talented and rocking Jones Street Station was one of those people.  Thank you Jonny for allowing me to photograph you.  I still have a huge desire to get better at photographing people – and I’m still not very comfortable with asking strangers on the street.  Thankfully, I have lots of awesome and attractive friends who don’t mind humoring me.  Thanks friends.  I eventually want to do photo shoots of every single one of you!  So get ready. :)

Anyway, with Thanksgiving quickly approaching, we’re tying up some loose ends here and taking off tomorrow night to ride back to good old Westborough, MA.  Have I mentioned Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday?  I think it’s because it involves family, friends, going back home and eating a huge array of delicious food.  What’s better than that?

 

Photo 214 out of 365 – “Cat in a Second-Story Window”

10 Nov

"Cat in a Second-Story Window" - Settings: ISO 200, f/18, 1/125 sec, 50mm lens

This is the scene I stumbled upon literally one door down from my apartment building yesterday when I left to go run some errands.  I love it!  The cat is just chilling… watching the passersby, getting some fresh air.  I love his stance… and how he’s looking away from camera.  I have another one where he’s looking right at me, but this one was more powerful.  And that lens flare just makes it for me.  I knew it would be my photo of the day even though it was the first photo I took!  It just has that magic in my opinion.

Meanwhile, I seem to have a bug up my butt for some reason this week… some sort of restlessness.  I think it’s because I finished with the prints for the photography show, which was a big, challenging task – and now I’m done with it and I’m feeling like – “ok… what’s next”… you know?  This photo project and blogging is definitely both stimulating and difficult, though because I do it every day, it is starting to take on a more routine feel vs. a big exciting challenge I have to rise to.

I had the craziest most exhausting dream last night.  I was at my friend Faye’s wedding weekend (which happened already), and I was SUPER late for the brunch because I couldn’t find my hotel room.  I felt really guilty!  And panicky!  I kept running around the halls of the hotel endlessly and couldn’t remember which room I was in.  Then, after the brunch, I was supposed to pack up and catch a bus somewhere, but I kept losing my suitcases.  I gave them to an attendant and then I couldn’t remember who I gave them to – and again, I was running around in circles for what seemed like HOURS – looking for my bags – and all of the hotel employees were rude and completely unhelpful.  I was happy to wake up to the fact that it was just a dream – but it definitely seems related to this little bit of anxiousness I’m feeling this week.  Dreams are so interesting.

I have a few projects I’d like to start working on, which will hopefully ease this feeling, including re-starting a yoga practice (I just bought a beginner’s package and will go to my first class tomorrow).  And today, I’m working on a shoot for Bodega, which should be really cool.  We’re doing time-lapse photography of the Barneys holiday window being put together.  This is my first exposure to time-lapse photography, so I’m excited to learn something new!  Plus – it’s the Barneys holiday window… how fun!  I am working on this today, Friday and next Tuesday – and then Tuesday night is the big unveiling party and I believe I’ll be there shooting party footage as well.  That should be really cool!

Anyway – that’s what’s on my mind this morning.  Oh yeah, and the healthy tuna meal I made last night was NOT very good.  I didn’t like it at all.  It was too salty and needed a sweet taste to balance the salty soy… maybe honey?  The little parchment packets were fun to make though – and they made cleanup quite easy!

Here is the runner up for photo of the day, which was the last picture I took yesterday.  The cat wins… but I like this one quite a bit too.  A totally different vibe.

"Roses" - Settings: ISO 400, f/2.5, 1/100 sec, 50mm lens

 

It’s Monday Again… The Weekend Catch-Up

11 Oct

Happy Monday everyone!  So… in continuing where I left off the last time we spoke, Friday night I worked alongside Adam and a small crew covering the Burger Bash event – part of the New York City Food & Wine Festival.  The event was pretty awesome.  It was held at the Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo, Brookyn.  It is this open-air brick structure – half torn down, which used to be a tobacco warehouse… just guessing.   But it’s right on the water with views of Manhattan and it is directly below the Brooklyn Bridge – so the setting is just SICK!  I was hired as an Assistant Camera… but while Mark (director of photography and best man at our wedding) was filming the interviews with Barney’s’ Simon Doonan and several famous foodies, Adam told me to take my camera and my tripod and get some party and burger footage!  I was a bit nervous at first – being off on my own with no direction… but once I got going, I got really into it!  It was a blast!  I had an all-access badge and got to tell everyone I was shooting for Food Network, which helped me get in closer to the action.  I got some really awesome footage – burgers, chefs, partygoers, signage, flaming grills, etc.  It was a definite sink or swim moment and I believe I swam quite nicely. :)  Can’t wait for the next shoot!

Here is a light projection on the wall of the warehouse during the event:

Photo 182 out of 365 – “New York City Wine & Food Festival”

"New York City Wine & Food Festival" - Dumbo, Brooklyn

On Saturday afternoon, Adam left for California for the Carmel Art & Film Festival and then for a Subaru Shoot later this week.  I was so sad to see him go!  This is going to be the longest separation we’ve ever had since meeting each other three years ago.  The truth is… when I go away (like when I went to Guatemala with my friend Amie for a week in February) I’m totally ok.  I mean, I always miss Adam – but I’m happy to be traveling.  On the other hand, when he leaves town and I’m home alone… I don’t like it very much!!  Home feels incomplete without him.  So, Saturday I was a little blue.  I walked around the East Village all by my lonesome, took a bunch of pictures, strolled through a flea market and then decided to treat myself to a pedicure.  Well… nothing beats my blues like a little pampering and this was the best pedicure I’ve ever had in my life!  They took such good care of me for almost two hours!!  What a good idea that was.  Here is the spa I went to… the Galleria Nail Salon… seriously, they rule.  And here is a photo from the flea market:

Photo 183 out of 365 – “East Village Flea Market”

"East Village Flea Market" - Settings: ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/320 sec, 50mm lens

Saturday night I ordered Italian comfort food from Il Bagatto and chilled solo for the evening.  Though I was sort of bored and missed Adam, it was nice having some quiet time – we’ve had a lack of that lately!  Mental note for the future… pedicures, Italian food and some good TV are a perfect cure for a sad Nell.

Sunday, after brunch with my friend Wendy at a new place (well… new to me) called Jo’s, I walked around some more and did a little shopping.  As I walked home – through Soho, I heard some good music happening through the hustle and bustle of the traffic.  As I approached Broadway, I saw this group of Doo Wop singers performing on the street.  They were awesome.  My dad would have loved them… he loves Doo Wop… I thought of him. :)   I listened to a couple songs, took some pictures, gave the guys a few bucks and continued on my way.

Photo 184 out of 365 – “Doo Wop on a Soho Street Corner”

"Doo Wop on a Soho Street Corner" - Settings: ISO 100, f/8, 1/125 sec, 50mm lens

As for this week… today I went to the framing store, where I’m having my prints framed for the show I’m doing at Brooklyn Victory Garden.  I had to sign all the mats before they framed the prints and put the backings on.  It’s all a pretty steep learning curve – but hey… this is my first show… I suppose I can take whatever I learn this time around and do it better next time right? I’m psyched about my photos though – they’re big and pretty.  Here is a link to the ones I’ve decided to display:

Nell’s BVG Photo Show

It was a tough decision and several friends helped me out with their opinions.  In the end… I figured, I have to assume that I might end up keeping a lot of these if they don’t sell.  So… I chose photos that I’d actually want to hang on my wall in my apartment.  I was hemming and hawing about including people pictures… like the random people I’ve been meeting around the East Village.  I decided not to this time around.  I love them… and I love taking them, but I don’t know that I’d want a 20×30 picture of my neighborhood drunk dude on my wall.  I also wanted consistency, so I only chose landscape images – no portraits.  I don’t know if that was a good move or not – but it made sense to me after seeing the space.  So – there you have the decision-making process.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!  And in November, when the Grand Opening of the store happens… I’ll keep you posted and I hope you’ll join me if you’re in the area!

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