I love taking pictures on the streets of NYC. There are so many characters and opportunities to capture interesting moments in time. Going to a set location with anticipation of what I'll find fuels my inquisitiveness.
I went to Washington Square Park one Sunday afternoon. Years past this wasn’t such a nice place, at least that was my recollection. But now I found children and parents frolicking in the fountain, that was a surprising. It made me think of times long ago when children played in open hydrants to cool off from the hot summer heat. They control that sort of thing now with filters, not quite the same thing.
Fountain Play
There was dancing under the arch to a jazz band... everyone just having fun, grooving to the music.
Jazz Dance
To top it all off there was a women making gigantic bubbles. With the simple pleasure of just popping them, she was not lacking an audience of children. They were drawn to the iridescent colors, as was I. Interesting that I choose to develop the images in black and white. To me it added a timeless quality so you aren't quite sure what year it is.
Little Rascals
These children reminded me of “Our Gang”, the Little Rascals from the 1920’s.
Pop Goes The Bubble
The excitement of bursting a bubble is something that never leaves you if you have the curiosity and wonderment of a child.
Bubble Face
A second before the bubble bursts, with determination to get the job done.
Memorial Day
In Times Square, there was a marine standing next to someone who looked like a young Spike Lee. It was Memorial Day weekend after all. They were together and I knew the other guy wasn’t the director, but both of them wearing hats, standing next to hat vendor caught my attention. There was a story there, friends or relatives, each who's lives have taken them in different directions. That’s the story I see.
Music Underground
Under Bethesda Terrace there always seems to be some musician or singer trying to make a few bucks. I have to say the acoustics are fabulous. I love the juxtaposition of the instrumentalist against the worn arches. It made me feel like I was in Europe.
Night Ladies
Coming Home one evening, I passed these two young ladies going out for the night. I loved the look on one of the girls face as it had a look of anticipation of what the night might bring.
American Idol
In Madison Square Park I ran into the American Idol winner, Nick Fradiani doing a jam session with his band to promote his new album. With the paparazzi in me, how could I not take his picture. I liked the photograph on its own merit, a young musician playing on the streets of NYC. That's one of the things I love about black and white photography. It has a timeless quality, you can’t really tell what year it is, could be the 70’s or yesterday.
The city offers so many opportunities to capture interesting images.
Susan Marie