Series: New York City - 2017 Photography Adventures and Learning Experiences

What is up? What is going on, guys? I'm here today with my first post.

This year has been a learning experience for me. I've travelled to Iceland, the United States of America and parts of Canada that I have never visited before. Travelling has definitely made me realize more about myself despite having burnt quite a large hole in my pockets. Though expensive, I can see no better way of spending my money. Except food, I guess.

After my trip to Iceland and my Nikon d3400, I realized I wanted to take photography more seriously. So, I went out and did what every irrational amateur photographer would do - I bought myself a 5000 dollar kit. I picked up the A7Rii and two Zeiss Loxia manual focus lenses. I grew up using manual focuses lenses and figured I'd continue to use them. All I can say is, I see no reason to switch over to autofucus lenses because I am head over heels in love with the images I get from this set up. Don't get me wrong, the d3400 was a fantastic camera but I just couldn't let go of the a7rii once I had it in my hands.

My photography has dramatically improved over the last few months, or at least I seem to think so. I still have long way to go because I am an infant in photography. I am glad I made the investment and wouldn't change a thing if I could go back in time. Except maybe picked up the entire set of Loxias when they were on sale, but that's another story.

So let's get into it. This spring/summer my second trip was to New York City. My friends and I drove from Montreal (those that don't know what Montreal is, look at a map. We also have the best hockey team in the world here. Just saying.) We left around 3 AM so we could beat the border traffic. Guess what? We were successful. There were no cars at the border at this time. It was smooth sailing all morning with drive time being around 9 hours including stops. We didn't really regret the decision so much until we got there. We fell asleep for at least 5 hours taking away from a precious afternoon of activities.

It was still getting warmer but it was perfect weather for sightseeing. It was hovering around 20 degrees (I'm Canadian and don't understand the Imperial Units system. We use the actual method of measuring stuff, a.k.a the metric system.)so we didn't really need any jackets/sweaters.

On the first night we decided to explore the financial district. Let me tell you one thing, New York City is huge. Montreal is NOTHING compared to NYC. I can count the number of "skyscraper" in Montreal with one hand. The streets were bustling with people and taxies driving as if unafraid to run pedestrians over. It was a scary walk through the city. Once we got there, I was awestruck by the architecture of the One World Trade Centre and The Oculus.

I call this one 'Blooming Again' It has to be one of my favourite images I have ever published. The way the building rises through the Oculus also looks like a blooming flower, mature and strong. Once inside the oculus, I was stunned by the symmetry in of the structure.

I tried to get a perfectly symmetrical picture. We then wandered to the 9/11 memorial. I was debating if I wanted to take a picture. I thought doing so would be disrespectful to the memory of those that passed away on the tragic day. 

However, I did get around to taking one.  

Walking through the financial district, we then ran into the charging bull. I wasn't so impressed with it, however, The Fearless Girl caught my eye. I mean I don't really have to explain to you the symbolism of this young lady standing in the way of the charging bull, do I? We then called it a night after we grabbed some food from the street vendors. Seriously, what's with the over-salted and extremely hard pretzels? Why are all of the vendors owned by the same company? 

On the second day we decided to get a view of Lady Liberty so we hopped on to the Staten Island Ferry.  

The NYC skyline in the distance.  

Later that night we went shopping and explored Times Square. Unfortunately, I didn't take any share worth pictures that night but I can tell you it was one hell of an experience.

We then called it a night and decided to leave the rest for the next day.

In the morning we waled down to Central Park, the MET and Grand central station. I got my favourite picture of the trip at the MET. I captured a lady enjoying a series of images at the Irving Penn exhibit with one of my favourite quotes of all time - "To me personally, photography is a way to overcome mortality." -- Irving Penn.

I call this one 'I observe'

We then head out to the Grand Central Station and I was able to capture a part of the architecture I enjoyed the most. The ceiling.

'Grand Central Galaxy'

We then grabbed some cheap 1$ pizza and prepared ourselves for a night of clubbing. That however, didn't go as planned as all of us were exhausted and decided to enjoy the evening at our Airbnb. It was a good night filled with lots of laughs and heart to hearts. 

The next morning we were to head back but we were yet to see the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. So we head out to do so. It was a rainy morning so I was only able to capture a couple pictures. I posted my favourite below. 

'Rainy day in Brooklyn'

My friends and I then started our drive back home only to be stuck in New York City traffic for 4 hours. I think we averaged about 12kmph while driving on the highway. 

Interesting story from drive back at night. We decided to let one of our friends drive the 3rd leg of the trip - only to later realize he had NEVER driven on a highway before. Needless to say we were holding on to our doors while he drove 150kmph. He was later kicked out of the drivers seat and I took over. 

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the images. Please feel free to leave some feedback and suggestions on where I should go next. I will be posting Iceland images if I get enough response to these images. So, keep checking back.

Cheers and have a good one!

S