reviving my NYC b&w - old vs. new

saltydog

I used to be an enthusiastic NYC Street photographer and grainy pushed Tri-X/TMZ film disciple (for some examples of my "way-back-when" stuff, click here: http://saltydogphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/2588826). Then I quit bartending, couldn't afford my darkroom any longer, slipped into a 9-5 office job and for a while stopped taking photographs altogether. When I came to, I found myself living married life on suburban Long Island and started to learn (and even greatly appreciate) the ins and outs of digital landscape photography and the craft of understanding natural light.

Yet b&w street photography still holds a huge sweet spot in my heart, but I've only recently begun taking that spirit into the digital age. Here are some attempts taken last spring to fall. C & C are always welcome!


This one I took with my little Lumix LX-3 while walking to work early one spring morning of last year. Spotted on the seedy smelly backside block of Macy's, not usually inspiring the holding of hands. I thought it was just too
cute and loved the light and shadows...





I love it when you're not exactly sure what you're aiming for but suddenly know that you "got the shot". That's what happened when the guy stepped out from behind his girlfriend and looked upwards right in front of my camera. He makes the pic work:






And so does she! What could have been a generic shot of the World Famous Nathan's Hot Dog Interior on Coney Island suddenly turned into an old world classic by this girl turning around at just the right moment:





As a street photographer, I often annoy people and I usually feel bad about it. But sometimes it's a conflicting scenario because "attitude" also makes for very intense pics:





I just love oddities. And a pretty grown up woman sucking on a cigarette while clutching a teddy bear makes my day any time!





Two couples on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Notice how the guys are jovial while the gals look very serious? Comment by a friend of mine: "because the gals are talking about the guys and the guys are talking about nothing at all", lol...



Thoughts and critique are always welcome!

TY,
Jana

Coney_Island_Gary

Thanks for the “Nathan’s”, shot, that was my very first place of employment, many years ago. In fact a hot dog was only $.25 in those days.

Richard

Terrific series, Jana. Show us more.

lizzard_nyc

I'm very very excited:) Looking very forward to more from you.

I like the confrontational shot. It's something I never do, I've gotten good at being stealthy, but I really like and appreciate the face-on approach--don't know if I have the nerves for that.

Glad you woke up!

Flyinggina

Very nice series, Jana. My favorites are #2 (looking up) and #5 (smokers with teddy bear).

Virginia

sara505

Flyinggina wrote: »

Very nice series, Jana. My favorites are #2 (looking up) and #5 (smokers with teddy bear).

Virginia

Love the photos, especially the smoker, but would have preferred less chit-chat. These photos need no explaining or commentary.

saltydog

Thank you all for your compliments and comments, they are very much appreciated!

I had a hard drive melt down in the fall and lost a whole bunch of pics, but wil post more as soon as the weather turns a little more "street friendly" in NYC again.

@ sara505 - sorry, I happen to be the "chatty" type

Patti

Great series and welcome to the site. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

saltydog

Thanks Patti! I am hoping that the weather will break soon, 'cause a high of 23° F with a windchill of 0 will not produce any new pics, in spite of good intentions and all

jdryan3

Welcome back! I know what is like to drop out for a year or so from the photog thing, having recently gotten back into posting after a Death Valley trip that broke the rhythm of my other life.
I like the processing you did here. And to me what is great bout the guy in #2 is he looking so much in different direction than the others, like one of those movies where the main character creates chaos in stage left as he exists stage right.