The last 25 years has seen corporations move into the Times Square area and make it one of the most touristy and congested places in New York City. Interestingly, many of the non-corporate businesses that once dominated the area have migrated to 8th Avenue. Despite the boutique hotels that have risen on 8th Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets, the area has somehow resisted the gentrification. The Music Building is still there as well as a vintage liquor store, various bars, luggage stores, cheap souvenir stores, blue DVD stores, and New York eateries (I love that 2 Bros. Pizza opened a location in the area) beyond the usual fast food.
Since May of 2022, I have been spending some time in the area and my eye, as well as my camera by proxy, has been drawn to some of the fashions in that area. It is certainly not high-end fashion, but still interesting. It feels like New York City.
Last year I noted that 2018 was not a very productive year with regards to photography largely stemming from health issues. 2019 was not much better, but for different reasons. In the fall, I started a Master’s degree in Museum Studies at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. And just before I started at CUNY SPS, I spent time working on the two photography books I self-published in November. The first book, 21st Century Coney Island, is a collection of photographs taken over the course of three years starting in the summer of 2016 and up to August 2019. Proceeds of this book will be donated to Habit for Humanity of Puerto Rico. The second book, A New Yorker in New Mexico, collects photographs from two trips, one in 2012 and another in 2018. Proceeds of this book will donated to the While they Wait fund.
The photographs I am sharing here have not been published anywhere online or in print. They were taken between February and August of 2019. I hope you enjoy this collection.
A Garden Stroll The first picture of 2019. Taken at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Cherished Time. People watching in Chinatown on Allen Street. West Side Weather Vane As seen near Broadway and 100th Street. Sole Glamper This was taken on Governors Island. I wanted to take more pictures of this woman, but she noticed me. I wish she had not, because she was quite interesting. End of The Line A detail from the now defunct Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. This park is just wonderful. I recommend you visit—even if you don’t have a car, you can still get there via the Path train and then the Light Rail. Stand Out Even before I color splashed this photograph, this guy’s sneakers stood out! This was taken on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Two Benches People watching at Tallman State Park upstate. In the distance you can see the new Cuomo Bridge that replaces the Tappan Zee. I understand that when it is fully completed will have a pedestrian path—maybe I can get some photos next year! Cold Bench A chilly day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Big Hairy Pussy Perhaps the person who wrote this has a large cat…? This was taken in the East Village. Rockland Bench As seen at Rockland State Park. Yes, I photographed a number of park benches this year. Smoking I was out one day on a photo safari and was standing on Morningside Drive photographing the Manhattan Valley landscape and happen to notice these two young men below me on the steps smoking some weed. Save Us As seen in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. C From my last day out with my camera in 2019. An architectural detail from a building on 6th Avenue. Tallman View Another trip up to Tallman State Park. In the distance is the Cuomo Bridge that replaces the Tappan Zee. Pretty soon the trees are going to grow higher and block the view completely. Framing As seen on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
Colorful Sunset An outtake from my book, 21st Century Coney Island. I didn’t use this picture because I choose a different and smaller square size for the book.
Drummer Boy As seen at Washington Square Park. Scooted As seen in the West Village. Baby Birds This was taken inside a restroom at Rockland State Park. This picture reminds me of one I took in 2017 of a little turtle in this same park who was burying her eggs on shore. Iron Floral As seen at Riverside Park. Stone Cold As seen outside of the Brooklyn Museum on a chilly day! To Trains Another photograph from the now defunct Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. This building is still quite elegant. Time Out This young man was taking a break after making a delivery. This was taken in Chinatown. Anchor Up. As seen from a ferry en route to Governors Island. Manhattan What I love about this picture is that there is not a construction crane in sight! Happy Text As seen in Bryant Park. Roar As seen outside of the Brooklyn Museum. Good Night Coney Island I used a different photograph of this young man on the back of my book, 21st Century Coney Island. Crane Operation As seen from the ferry en route to Governors Island. Let Us Have Peace As seen at Riverside Park, Grant’s Tomb. Isn’t this what we all want?
Sometimes living in New York City can be overwhelming. Believe it or not, there are oases in the concrete jungle. I rarely share them, but when I do it is when I bring a close friend to experience it. Many of them are near water. I remember once bringing a friend to one of my secret places near the water and he noted how amazing it was to find this peaceful place surrounded by such overwhelming noise.
I experienced great peace and inspiration on the days I took these photographs. I hope they make you feel the same way too.
“Mist to mist, drops to drops. For water thou art, and unto water shalt thou return.” ― Kamand Kojouri
Two weeks ago, I hit the streets of New York City looking to foster some inspiration. With my camera, I traveled to Governors Island, thinking I was going to get some interesting landscape shots. Instead, I stumbled upon a most festive event: The Jazz Age Lawn Party! And it was exactly that— a gathering of many people celebrating the 1920s! What fun! It was almost as much fun as Comic Con. Here are some of the pictures I took. I did my best to not include any pictures with 21st century details taken with a 21st century camera. Enjoy!
As seen last summer while walking across the Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
Edwin Roman 