Circumnavigating New York
I just returned from a trip to New York City where I attended PhotoPlus Expo, a large convention for editorial and commercial photographers which took place at the Jacob Javits Center. Between panel discussions about the state of the photography business, and presentations given by illustrious photographers such as Jay Maisel, and Greg Heisler, I showed my work to a number of gallery owners at the portfolio reviews organized by the Palm Springs Photo Festival.
After the conference, I stayed a few extra days in order to visit art galleries and to attend the Lucie Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall. I was happy to see a Chicago friend win the honor of International Photographer of the Year for the second year in a row - Sandro Miller. His project "Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich" earned him this honor. Using John Malkovich as his model, Sandro reproduced iconic photos made by photographers whom had influenced him.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Happily, I had a chance to do some exploring of New York. I got a New York Explorers Pass, which for a reduced flat fee, enables card holders to choose from a number of sightseeing tours and attractions. Visitors can select a pass entitling them to 3, 5, 7 or 10 attractions.
As part of the pass, I took the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise which circumnavigated the island of Manhattan. Circle Line has a variety of cruises, including a sunset excursion to choose from. It was a glorious day for a boat ride. I boarded the boat at the dock on 42nd Street. During the cruise, we passed by the Statue of Liberty, the towering structures of lower Manhattan, and traveled north to where the buildings stopped and nature began. The perspective from a boat ride gives one a spectacular view of New York. If you like bridges, you would like this trip. I think we passed under nineteen.
There is so much to see in New York, it's almost impossible to do it all in one visit. I did manage to go downtown to the Ground Zero Memorial site. It is a powerful tribute to those who lost their lives on that tragic 9/11 day in 2001. Nearby, soars the impressive new World Trade Center. A white, winged Santiago Calatrava designed building which will be the World Trade Center Transportation Hub is under construction close by. It harmonizes with a white, sculpture-like underground passageway near at hand that was also designed by Calatrava.
Of course, New York is known as the city that doesn't sleep. They've got that right. People are rushing around at all hours. The night lights are especially bright by Times Square where the larger-than-life neon signs attract the attention of passerbys.
Be careful of the ticket vendors on Broadway. I purchased tickets to Dangerfields from a vendor who told me that Tina Fey was one of the comedians performing that night, along with several others whom I recognized. That was not so. However, I still enjoyed the show.
