Wide Angle Wednesday

7WTC from 1WTC
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/2.8, 1/25sec, 3200ISO, 16mm

This shot was taken from the 63rd floor of One World Trade Center. Through the wide angle lens, Midtown appears so distant and tiny. 

Telephoto Tuesday

March left us, April came and went, and now it is the middle of May. The weather here in New York still feels like it could be March, as it has been cold and rainy.

The end of March saw my little family take a trip down to Washington, DC, and I took plenty of photos, some with the intent of posting here! Though my plans had been to post them in a little more expedient manner, life has a way of slowing down those plans.

Two Observation Decks Observed from One Observation Deck
Canon 60D, EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6, f/8, 1/1000s, 320ISO, 300mm

Today's post features three photographs I took from the 102nd floor of the One World Observatory. I had a friend in town, visiting from Canada, in April. This was the same friend that came about two years ago, mentioned here and here. This was also my daughter's first trip up to one of the observation decks. My favorite line from her 4 year old mind was "look daddy, we're higher than the helicopters!"

Looking at Midtown from Downtown
Canon 60D, EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6, f/8, 1/800s, 320ISO, 80mm

This second shot was captured with an old 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM Canon lens. That skinny rod shooting up is 432 Park Avenue, which will only be slightly shorter than One World Trade.

Oculus Rift
Canon 60D, EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6, f/8, 1/1000s, 400ISO, 75mm

This shot is looking down at the transportation hub, Oculus. This image is a panoramic image composed of 9 individual shots merged into this one image.

Two years ago...

Bronx Baboon
Canon 60D, EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, f/5, 1/125s, 160ISO, 50mm

Two years ago around this time, I had left a job I held for six years. I ended up starting work at another special event AV production company shortly after. This photo was taken between my last day at the old company, and my new job. The calm between the storms if you will.

It was a very nerve racking time for me, as I didn't know if I would be able to work with some of the same clients, how I would obtain new clients, among other things.

It was a rough transition at first, the events were slow to trickle in, adjusting to a new company. But two years later, I am very happy with my decision. I'm working with some great people, have done some incredible events, and am much happier overall. 

Summer dreaming on a Friday

It is snowing in NYC again today, but I find my mind wandering to a warmer time. Specifically, summer in Orlando. Thinking about the Walt Disney World vacation we took last August, wishing that we could go back right now to the entire resort. 

Spaceship Earth
Canon 60D, EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, f/8, 1/1250s, 320ISO, 26mm

 Amazing how one day can have such a momentous impact on our memories. Oh well, back to the grind for the day.

Friday's Wide Angle Post

Last weekend, I actually had the full weekend off, so my wife and I decided to take a last minute trip down to Philadelphia. We found a cheap hotel in Bensalem, booked it, headed down Saturday morning. Easy trip down there, I possibly may write more of that day, but this photograph is from Sunday. 

We just walked around the downtown area after checking out of our hotel. We didn't want to stay too long, back on the road by the mid afternoon since we had work and school the next day. So I had a cheesesteak from Jim's, the girls had a hoagie. We enjoyed the old buildings all around the city. Independence Hall is one of the last places we walked by before heading back to the car. We didn't actually see the inside this trip, or Liberty Bell, but my wife and I had done it about 13 years ago.

Independence Hall
Canon 60D, Tokina Pro DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/1000sec, 640ISO, 11mm

 

TGIF

Canon 60D, EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6, f/8, 1/60s, 1600ISO, 155mm

I hope everyone is able to just "hang around" this weekend!

Cunningham Park

Just Off the Motorway During the Autumn Season
Canon 60D, EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, f/8, 1/60s, 3200ISO, 29mm

New York City has many great parks, and another one close to where I live is Cunningham Park in Queens. You can read about the history of it here: http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/cunningham-park/history. For the past few summers, my wife, daughter, and I have attended the New York Philharmonic free performances that end with a fireworks show. In the autumn, we enjoy walking down the old roadway of the Long Island Motor Parkway, the first roadway designed for automobile use only, built by William Kissam Vanderbilt II. It was in operation from 1908-1938.

This park has served as the backdrop for a couple of my family portraits and Halloween portraits. If one finds themselves in Eastern Queens, I recommend a visit to this park.