Splashing in The New Year Polar Bear Style

I spent New Years Day on Coney Island.  An annual event had sparked my curiosity and I wanted to experience it first hand.

Since 1903 the Polar Bear Club has been holding it’s annual New Year’s Day Swim.  I traveled the distance with camera in hand.  Clothed in my ski gear and feet protected by my yellow wellies, I figured I would be “water proofed” to get as close as possible without actually going in.

As I waited for the event to begin, my toes started to freeze up.  Standing in the ocean, they actually began to warm.  The outside temperature was about 38˚ F, the water temperature was about 45˚F.

The first group raced to the water at 1:oopm.  It was such a rush to watch-truly driven by adrenaline.  Such enthusiasm and zest for life!  Incredibly contagious!!

As I watched the bathers come back to shore, some had shear delight in their expressions, some had shear pain.  I myself was in about calf high and experienced just a bit of the salt water rush I was witnessing.

I wish everyone joy in the New Year.  To a fabulous 2013-take the plunge!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it!

Finding Christmas

For as long as I can remember, my family had a tradition of “finding” Christmas.  We would drive around the neighborhood seeking out the beautiful decorations of the season.

Living in New York, I now walk through my neighborhoods to discover beautiful, peaceful moments that get me closer to “finding” Christmas.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or a holiday I do not know, the joy in this season is the celebration of light and hope.

Throughout this time of year, I hope you too will “find” your Christmas.

This video was put together with images I have taken over the past few years walking from Central Park to the Upper West Side, down to Washington Square Park, up to Rockefeller Center and then on to Cape Cod.

Brooklyn based musician Derek Daisey provides this beautiful holiday song:  ”Can You Help Me Find My Christmas?”  (available on iTunes.)

I wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it!

A Big Thank You!

I just want to thank WordPress for Freshly Pressing my “July 4th, NYC Style” story.

And an even bigger thanks to all of you that have taken time from your busy day to read, comment and follow this blog.  I am overwhelmed!

I promise to do my best; to continue to bring you interesting and entertaining information in each entry.

Thank you again to everyone in the WordPress Community!

 

Until next time!

teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it!

July 4th, NYC Style

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  “Summer in the city…“

It is also the day that I kick back and see the world in a different way.  It’s a day I seriously “people watch” as you will find many wonderful things going on all around you.

Children acting without a care in the world-just relishing the  joy of being a child.  Families laughing, playing games, having picnics together.

It is also a day for hot dog lovers.  Enter Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island.

Last 4th of July, I braved the beaches and crowds of Coney Island.  Little did I know what lie ahead.  I parked myself on a bench and watched through my camera lens.  Fascinating. But then again, people watching always is….

I then ventured down to the waters edge.  And walked toward the main beach.  As I got closer and closer, the density of sun worshipers increased.  It seriously reminded me of being on the 6 train during rush hour.

Children and adults alike, did not seemed phased one bit.  Instead they were having a heck of a time rubbing suntan lotion on loved ones, digging holes and building sandcastles. Exactly what one does when at the beach.

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Tomorrow, I will probably find myself back at Coney Island once again.  Why not?  It’s how we celebrate July 4th,  New York City Style!

Have a Happy!

Space Shuttle Enterprise and Kodi George

As I woke up this morning and began the typical routine, I heard something in the news that took me from a casual approach to the day to the “photographer” mindset that kicks in anytime there is something worth noting.

Brian Lehrer, of WNYC was talking about a historic event going on right at that moment.  The Space Shuttle Enterprise would “fly over” NYC as it makes it’s way to JFK Airport.   [Early summer it will be transported to its final home at the The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.]  It would fly over the Statue of Liberty, up the Hudson River to the Tappan Zee Bridge and then circle around Queens.

Do I run across town?  Do I dash out of the house without walking Kodi?

I let a few minutes pass for logic and reality to set in.  If I were to get anything of value, there should have been a bit more planning on my part.  So I got myself and puppy dog dressed for our walk.  I took my trusty iPhone with me to document this historic flight, hoping I would be able to catch a glimpse from the East River.

As a few of us gathered at the corner of the East 78th Street Footbridge, we discovered the flight pattern and that from our vantage point the Shuttle would be crossing by the Triborough Bridge.  As we waited, Kodi also made a few new friends.  It was a joyful morning!

The Shuttle flew over at approximately 11:10am.  It was a beautiful site.  The sky was bright blue with just the right amount of clouds.  The Shuttle shimmered in the sunlight.  What I saw with my eyes was amazing.

I’ve attached a few links to close ups.  As you can see, I was a bit too far to get the details of the flight.  But I share with you what I saw, to give you a sense of the spectacle of these few historic moments.

Main Bridge Span Demolition: East 78th Street

Main Bridge Span Demolition: East 78th Street from teresa kruszewski on Vimeo.

In the overnight hours of July 30-31, a team of 26 men removed the 70 year old footbridge at East 78th Street. The FDR Drive was shut down from 2:00am-7:00am. During that period the bridge was lifted in 2 sections by one crane.

These men worked with such precision and sense of timing, a perfectly choreographed dance.

I had the privilege to work with this team, photographing the total demolition. This movie has been created from 1000 still images.

Thank you to all the men and women who participated in this historic event including Ferreira Construction Co., INC, The NYC DOT and the neighbors at East 78th Street.

Celebrating 5 Years

Thank you to all clients and friends of 51art for an amazing five years! On New Years Eve sitting along the East River,  a wonderful idea came to me.  This moment would define my new goals for 2011; two projects centering around the activities of the Upper East Side. Both based in photography; both based in community. -The first is 51art flavor, an online-magazine which brings together food, wine, art, photography-the “flavors” of the neighborhood.  There is so much creative energy in this part of town.  My goal is to bring it together here.  Bernadette who is interning this summer, will be writing fabulous articles about her discoveries.  Check back monthly for updates! -The second is a project which documents life on and along the East River.  Most recently I’ve had the privilege of working with the men and women who are rebuilding the East 78th Street footbridge.  Rain, snow, heat, these folks are out there everyday making it happen. I continue to photograph the work of some of the most talented interior designers here in New York City.  Their designs inspire and transform.  Truly amazing. I have also expanded my photography to portraits and headshots.   Clients include actors, musicians, singers, dancers, business owners and more. And when there is down time, I work on my fine art b&w’s where this journey began. Each day for me is full of joy, of passion, of creativity.  I can’t imagine life any other way. And could not do it without you. Thank you so much! Hold true to your passions and great things will come. -teresa adventure is life, live it!®

Balloons, Music, CELEBRATE!

On Thanksgiving Day in New York City, a one of a kind celebration marches down Central Park West to Herald Square.  This Thanksgiving will mark my third year as a balloon handler…a new tradition has begun for my family.  But how long has this event been going on?  What was it like in the beginning?  Read on….

Balloons, Music, CELEBRATE!*

In 1924 the first holiday parade was organized by Macy’s Employees.  Animals were featured from the Central Park Zoo.  The crowds loved it and a tradition was born!

In 1927 the first helium-filled balloons were included in the parade.  They were released as part of the grand finale, but unexpectedly burst over the city.

The following year the balloons were redesigned.  A return address was included on each balloon in case it floated away and a reward was given to those that returned it to the store.

Rain or shine, the Thanksgiving Day Parade marches from 77th Street and Central Park West to Herald Square.

*information found at www.macys.com

51st and Broadway

As a NYC photographer finding unique moments, unique opportunities to document black and white landscapes of the city is an ongoing challenge.  Over the next 25 entries, I will share with you images partnered with interesting pieces of new york city history.  Let the stories unfold…..

Dreams can come true!

Al Jolson lived “The American Dream.”  Born in Lithuania, Jolson rose through the ranks of vaudeville as a comedian and a blackface “Mammy” singer.  By 1920, he had become the biggest star on Broadway.

Jolson was born Asa Yoelson in Seredzius, Lithuania, sometime between 1883 and 1886 and was the first openly Jewish man to become an entertainment star in America.

Al Jolson was to jazz, blues, and ragtime what Elvis Presley was to rock ‘n’ roll.  He paved the way for African-American performers like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Ethel Waters.

*information found at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/jolson_a

It Happened on 125th Street

On June 30, 2009 I headed uptown to the NYC Business Solutions Center .  We were a few weeks into our marketing class so I was focused in thought on business as I rode the subway.  Not for a moment did I connect the dots to what had happened five days prior and how it would impact the next few hours of my life.

The class was located a few doors down from the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem.   As I climbed the stairs from the station to street level, I was hit by a wall of people.  It took a few moments for the activity to resonate and then clarity!  This was a celebration of Michael Jackson’s life.  The sidewalk was packed.  People were lined along the parade barriers on both sides of 125th Street.  Cars were not allowed to pass.  The road was empty except for police in bright orange rain gear monitoring the crowd on either side.  Stores had their doors wide open; mobile music devices were set up everywhere sharing the amazing music of Michael Jackson.  People of all ages were singing and dancing in celebration.

At first I was focused on getting to my class as I was already a few minutes late.  Going against the flow of the crowd was a foolish idea, so I walked east on the south side of the street trying to find where I could cross.  The police would not let anyone through other than the designated openings further down.  So onward I went.

With each step I began to engage more and more with the activity of my surroundings.  The longer I was part of the crowd, the more I felt the energy of the moment.  The life  celebration of such an amazing performer.  And I too began to sing “Billie Jean…”

Events happen throughout NYC every day.  And if you are fortunate to find one, stumble upon one, the experience will match no other.  Being part of this celebration connected me to Michael Jackson on some level knowing that he and his brothers performed right here on this street so many years ago.

This is also the day I came to realize the power of the small camera I carry.  The amazing (in my opinion) iPhone.  A celebration that would never be repeated again.  A celebration that needed to be documented.  A celebration that happened on 125th Street.

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it!