"Secret Garden" - Settings: ISO 1600, f/2.5, 1/125 sec, 50mm lens

I had some trouble picking my photo of the day today.  I chose the one above “Secret Garden” because I love the scene – the old rusted chairs being enveloped by the wild brush and vines.  Again… it’s that sad, abandoned vibe I’m sort of drawn to.  I have actually taken this photo before during my photo project, but ended up choosing another as my photo of the day that time around.  The garden is right down the street from me and sometimes when I am looking for photo inspiration, I go in with my camera and poke around.  I love this little secret garden.  The other day, I brought my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew in to show them.  The little enclosed space always fills me with a sense of wonder and of being a child again as I brush aside the wild overgrowth to make my way along the path.   When you get to the back, it opens to a surprise sculpture garden – it was such a discovery the first time I found it!  Unfortunately, when I brought everyone in the other day, there was a dead mouse lying on the ground right where you enter the sculpture garden.  We were all a little skeeved – so I wasn’t able to fully share my magical little garden with the family.  Bummer.

Anyway, these are the other two photos I was debating about today:

"Bare Bulb and Ceiling Fan" - Settings: ISO 400, f/4.0, 1/50 sec, 50mm lens

I took this one in Cafe Pedlar (on Clinton).  I met my friend Robyn for lunch, as she just moved back to NYC from Geneva (YAY!!) and she got a phone call so I was occupying myself taking pictures around the restaurant.

"You Are Here" - Settings: ISO 6400, f/3.5, 1/125 sec, 50mm lens

I took this one in the hallway of my apartment building while waiting for the elevator.  It’s sort of interesting to me as I see it as a kind of symbol for my life right now… right now I am here, doing this blog, taking photos, studying cheese, living in the East Village.  Where will I be a year from now??

So which of the three to you like best?  I always find it super interesting to see what appeals to different people!