The Blizzard that Wasn’t…at Least in NYC

I love a good snow storm.  A blizzard even better, especially if it shuts down the “city that never sleeps” for a day or two.  There is something special about the quiet and stillness that Mother Nature brings to us.  And it gives a photographer a clean canvas to create a new story.

The Weather Channel and local news were doing everything they could to prepare it’s audience for the “big event”.  Grocery and hardware stores were reaping the benefits of this forecast as customers waited outside in long lines, only to find empty shelves and longer checkout lines inside.

The Governor and Mayor of New York/City determined a State of Emergency would be best to keep it’s citizens safe for the anticipated weather event.  (And it allowed the folks that clear the roads a safe way to do their jobs.)

The impending doom would happen sometime in the overnight hours and throughout the day on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.

I listened to the forecast until 2:30am and determined getting up in a few hours would be a great time to see how this storm impacted New York City.  This is what I discovered.

 

Beyond the city limits and north to Maine, the impact was much greater.  People lost power.  Winds blew upwards of 70MPH.  Snow drifted to feet vs. inches.  I wish all my readers safety and hope recovery is swift.

Stay warm.  And thanks for taking the time to watch.

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

 

Procrastinating (or working?)

The summer solstice is soon upon us.  That means it’s time for the Coney Island Mermaid Parade!

In celebration, I decided to put together a special project.  Going through my archives of photo’s from the parades of years past, I discovered some pictures I haven’t looked at for quite some time.

Instead of working on the project (with a very short window to make it for Saturday, June 21), I edited my feathered friend below.

So while you wait for my next production, enjoy the company of the “un-official” New York City bird.

We spent an afternoon together watching the East River; her friends and the nearby sea gulls were investigating every movement on and off-shore for the food options of the day.

Me, I just sat with my old Leica M4 and Kodi George by my side waiting to see what would pass us by.

 

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

24 Hours on East 78th Street

When Hurricane Sandy was on it’s way, New Yorkers were still a bit skeptical about the storm’s potential based on our experiences from last year with Hurricane Irene.

As I did with Irene, my goal was to photograph the progress of the storm.

The city shut down late afternoon on Monday October 29, 2012 to brace for what was to come. That included all forms of transportation, so I spent time in my neighborhood.

I went out on 3 separate occasions during the 24 hours that Sandy came to town.  The first was around 4:00pm on Monday, as winds began to pick up and the East River began to rise.  It didn’t spill over at this time; that would come around 9:00pm when the tide was high and the moon was full.

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During the peak of the storm, not realizing how powerful the winds truly were I headed down toward the river.  (These images in the dark were taken around 9:30pm on Monday night.)  As a result of not heeding Mayor Bloomberg’s warnings, a gust actually lifted me, blowing me up East 78th Street.  I thank the gentleman (my guardian angel) that was ahead of me, as he stopped the momentum of that surge.

Next time the forecast calls for wind gusts of 80 mph+, I will think twice.  Today I count my blessings that from that night I have just a badly sprained knee.  However, I needed to document the event and would have stayed longer if not for what happened.

I did witness the East River at a height I’ve never seen before.  As I stood on the corner of East 78th Street and the FDR Drive, the water was up to my knees.

Things could have been much worse, as many residents of my city have lost their homes.

This is why I am thankful for the many little things that come my way.

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

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.

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

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!®

An Eye-Opening Spring Day

I began this blog as an extension to my stationery line “aTouchofYellowinNYC”. The note-cards are designed to share a bit of what it’s like to live here, a slice of New York City life.  So much happens that if you stand still on a street corner for a minute you will experience something unique, unexpected.  With my designs, the everyday/mundane has a bit of character and a bit of history to give perspective as to why the city is what it is today.  This entry shares what I experienced yesterday while walking my dog.

Our neighborhood is very nice by New York City standards.  The buildings that surround us are quite grand each with their own doormen;  the streets that grid the neighborhood are lined with very regal and very old trees.  We are right on the East River and stroll the promenade each time we take our walks.  Amidst all the landscaped beauty and the well coiffed people that live in this neighborhood, there are some folks that take temporary residence in this part of town.  They are transient folks, nomads that carry their goods on their backs.  These folks most of us refer to as the “homeless”.  They find sanctuary under foot bridges along the rivers’ edge, on stairs at churches and schools, in concealed doorways of darkened buildings.  During the late night hours these folks are sleeping in these places, but during the day what do they do?  Where do they go?  Since most of us are working, that question is not readily answered.  (Unless you ride the subway where entertainment abounds-sing for your supper I suppose…)

Yesterday, my dog Kodi and I had a glorious spring morning greet us.  On our walk, we passed the doormen and maintenance men & women washing their sidewalks.  This daily routine begins on the first warm day in spring and ends on the last warm day in fall.  With so many 2 and 4 legged friends sharing this space, the cleaning is a necessary task.

As we were watching the hose spray in the sun light, trying to avoid getting wet ourselves, I noticed a man walking down toward the river.  He was in the street and had a black suitcase in tow.  This gentleman was graying and I could only guess his age to be mid 50’s to early 60’s.  He stopped at the corner where a puddle of water was gathering from the side walk run off.  Letting go of his bag, he bent down to the street and began scooping the water with his hands, washing them.  It took a moment to realize what he was doing.  Kodi and I kept walking so as not to distract him.  We made the corner and when I turned back, he was gone.  For some reason, this act made me stop and I began to cry.  (Thank goodness for sunglasses!)  I bent down and hugged Kodi trying to shake off my emotion.  Once I was composed, the photographer kicked in.  I wish I had taken the shot of him washing, but in hind site I prefer to keep this man’s dignity.

We take so many things for granted.  This moment helps put things back in to perspective.  Such a basic need as having water to wash your hands becomes a challenge for a street person.  The expression “out of necessity comes invention” was demonstrated at a very rudimentary level.

There is an organization on the Upper East Side that allows individuals who want to improve their circumstances to do just that.  “Ready, Willing & Able” takes folks with the desire to enter back in to society and teaches them the necessary skills to succeed.  The progress is monitored ensuring each individual adheres to the program.  They have a very high success rate.  Please take the time to learn more about this group and do what you can to help.

All our life choices have brought us to this current place in time.  Most of us can navigate through the tough times.  Those that cannot, need to know there are groups that can help.  Empower each individual and watch what happens!

until next time!

teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

New York City Life Along the East River

As with most of us, the details of our surroundings are taken for granted until we are ready to see them.  As a NYC photographer, I am fortunate to live on the East River.  Each day I try to appreciate the wonder before me.  My view across to Roosevelt Island is not as exciting as the view back (where the residents see the NYC skyline), but I actually love watching the activity on and off the water.  There is a little stone house across the way and seems lost among the new buildings.  I wonder what its story is, how does it fit into the fabric of New York City history.  And more than once after a summer shower,  I have seen a rainbow end at this cottage.  Could there be a pot of gold?  Could the Wizard live there?  These pictures of landscape are magical!

As you discovered in the “East River Mystery” , the river is salt water.  Depending on which direction the wind blows it actually smells like the beach.  And just like the ocean, the water can be active or calm depending on the storms and the tides.

On a daily basis there are many pleasure crafts, barges, tugboats and working vessels that sail down to New York Harbor and back.   On this particular day, I noticed the water was very choppy and the wind was remarkably strong.  The sun was brilliant and reflected off the river back to me like shimmering diamonds.  I wanted to share these images with you so that you too could see what a beautiful, summer day was like on the river here on the East Side of Manhattan-a bit of New York City life.

When I came home that night the movement of the river was completely different from the afternoon.  The winds were gone and the surface of the water was still.  I wanted to capture the light reflection just as I did during the day.  The night seems to be a bit more intriguing.   I hope you feel the same.

Until next time!

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®