A ride on the subway

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited March 11, 2008 in Journeys
Hi y'all,

Somebody asked me the other day if I missed living in NYC. After two minutes of sustained laughter I said "no". One of the "highlights" of living in the Big Apple is the NYC subway system. The subways got their start in the mid 1800s when resort owners on Breighton Beach and Coney Island encouraged the building of above ground transit systems to bring patrons to their resorts. The first underground system in Brooklyn was started around 1904. Since then it grew into its current self of 468 stations and 840 miles of track. An average of 4.6 million folks ride the subways daily, 1.5 billion yearly.

Here's a public domain map of the system
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Here are a few of my shots of the subway exerience, most were taken with my Sony-717.

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there are always a few strange characters around
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entertainment too
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But as always its the folks that are the most interesting. You will note that no one looks at anyone else. They will block out their surroundings by reading or taking on that thousand foot stare where they look out but they never fix their eyes on another person.
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end of the ride
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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Comments

  • Mr. 2H2OMr. 2H2O Registered Users Posts: 427 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2008
    Your're right...that is one strange lookin' dude in the overcoat talking on his phone...rolleyes1.gif

    Your pictures are like the ones I have in my mind but haven't gained the skill to take yet...I'm still working on it!

    - Mike
    Olympus E-30
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  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2008
    Great stuff Harry! thumb.gif

    Love the 3rd one
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  • TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2008
    wow the one of andy ( i assume) it gives me a virtigo type feeling with that subway train rushing by...
    jeez...seems dangerous.....

    btw, love the last one.
    Aaron Nelson
  • Dramatapix®Dramatapix® Registered Users Posts: 430 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2008
    Geeeth, that Andy sure ith a handsome man!
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  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2008
    Nice series. I'm surprised that they allow photogrphay there with security being what it is now days. They don't in Los Angeles.

    Maybe you went commando and shot in secret like I did in LA.
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  • leaforteleaforte Registered Users Posts: 1,948 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2008
    Some very cool shots!
    Growing with Dgrin



  • brianhanleybrianhanley Registered Users Posts: 49 Big grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    the nyc subway system is as disgusting as it is confusing. deal.gif
    Nikon D50 brianhanley.com
  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Great series Harry. I remember the subway well. For non-New Yorkers it's considered extremely rude to look another passenger in the eye! It's an invasion of privacy when one is so packed in with other strangers. I don't know if this has changed since the 1960s...

    And, no talking on the elevator either! (Unless you know someone already). I never saw the last photo, World Trade Center stop... kinda sad.

    You can imagine my culture shock after I moved to California where it's considered rude not to actually say Hi to a stranger you meet walking on a trail. Startled the heck out of me at first. You don't stop and talk, but you do say Hi and keep on moving.
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Dee wrote:
    Great series Harry. I remember the subway well. For non-New Yorkers it's considered extremely rude to look another passenger in the eye! It's an invasion of privacy when one is so packed in with other strangers. I don't know if this has changed since the 1960s...

    And, no talking on the elevator either! (Unless you know someone already). I never saw the last photo, World Trade Center stop... kinda sad.

    You can imagine my culture shock after I moved to California where it's considered rude not to actually say Hi to a stranger you meet walking on a trail. Startled the heck out of me at first. You don't stop and talk, but you do say Hi and keep on moving.

    Thanks Dee and I had the same experience when I moved to Florida. I just wasn't used to having folks talk to me. It took some getting used to. I'll always remember when Linda and I first got down here. We were starting to cross the street when a car came up. Being New Yorkers we stopped for the car to pass but the car stopped. So we waited, the car waited. Finally the driver rolled down his window and said "You're not in NYC anymore, down here pedastrians do have the right of way". I don't know how he figured out we were from NYC. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Very nice series nice to see you in a city :D
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  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    Thanks Dee and I had the same experience when I moved to Florida. I just wasn't used to having folks talk to me. It took some getting used to. I'll always remember when Linda and I first got down here. We were starting to cross the street when a car came up. Being New Yorkers we stopped for the car to pass but the car stopped. So we waited, the car waited. Finally the driver rolled down his window and said "You're not in NYC anymore, down here pedastrians do have the right of way". I don't know how he figured out we were from NYC. :D


    Oh my gosh, you really had me laughing out loud there. Almost woke up my husband! Laughing.gif!

    I'm sorry, I still don't trust that the drivers here WILL stop. I understand it's more strictly enforced in the Los Angeles area. I still have to remind Ed he can get a ticket if he doesn't fully stop and wait for pedestrians to cross! And he's from Texas! Laughing.gif
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  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    "You're not in NYC anymore, down here pedastrians do have the right of way". :D

    Ouch, I guess NY'ers are rude after all. It's the same here. If someone walks onto a street, most cars will stop in CA, even if it's not a crosswalk.
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  • summerzsummerz Registered Users Posts: 494 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Great shots.thumb.gif I don't like being in crowdseek7.gif but enjoy watching them from afar.:D
  • Hyllmark92Hyllmark92 Registered Users Posts: 97 Big grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    I like everyone, except the one with the guy playing the guitar. That is to "regular" for me. But the other ones are great!(Y)
    Smile
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Mr. 2H2O wrote:
    Your're right...that is one strange lookin' dude in the overcoat talking on his phone...rolleyes1.gif

    Your pictures are like the ones I have in my mind but haven't gained the skill to take yet...I'm still working on it!

    - Mike

    They don;t come much stranger Mike. :lol4

    Thanks and keep working on it. deal.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    anwmn1 wrote:
    Great stuff Harry! thumb.gif

    Love the 3rd one

    Thank you kindly Aaron
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    They don;t come much stranger Mike. :lol4l
    umph.gif
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  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited March 7, 2008
    Nice set, Harry.

    I enjoyed this little history lesson on the NY subway.thumb.gif
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    AaronNelson wrote:
    wow the one of andy ( i assume) it gives me a virtigo type feeling with that subway train rushing by...
    jeez...seems dangerous.....

    btw, love the last one.

    Thanks Aaron. Folks have said that my photos made them nauseous before but this is the first time I've caused vertigo. I really must be improving. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2008
    Dramatapix® wrote:
    Geeeth, that Andy sure ith a handsome man!

    Your are either very kind or very late with your visit to you optometrist. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    Tee Why wrote:
    Nice series. I'm surprised that they allow photogrphay there with security being what it is now days. They don't in Los Angeles.

    Maybe you went commando and shot in secret like I did in LA.

    Its still legal to take pictures in the NYC subway. I was only hassled once and that was Andy's fault.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    leaforte wrote:
    Some very cool shots!

    Thank you very much
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    brianhanley wrote:
    the nyc subway system is as disgusting as it is confusing. deal.gif

    I never found the subways confusing, I guess it may a tad perplexing for folks new to the city. As for disgusting thats the one of the attractions of the subway. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    Very nice series nice to see you in a city :D

    Enjoy it while you can, I have no intention of returning.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    summerz wrote:
    Great shots.thumb.gif I don't like being in crowdseek7.gif but enjoy watching them from afar.:D

    Thanks and I'm satying away from crowds these days unless its a crowd of egrets of course.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    great series of shots,

    You made me truly miss the smell of ur*ne, graffiti, getting pushed by old ladies carrying paper bags, unbelievable noise level, watching people ignore each other as much as possible, getting free papers people leave behind and of course the crazies yelling to the invisible audience. Thank you so muchrolleyes1.gif
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    Hyllmark92 wrote:
    I like everyone, except the one with the guy playing the guitar. That is to "regular" for me. But the other ones are great!(Y)

    I had that same feeling about that shot when I previewed my post.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    pathfinder wrote:
    Nice set, Harry.

    I enjoyed this little history lesson on the NY subway.thumb.gif

    Thanks PF it the pics don't grab 'em I try to throw in a tad of history. :ivar
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • jthomasjthomas Registered Users Posts: 454 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2008
    Thanks for the reminder, Harry. The CFO and I will be ridin' those rails this coming week during our annual visit to the Big City. Frankly, we haven't had any bad experiences on the subway. Yet.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 10, 2008
    dadwtwins wrote:
    great series of shots,

    You made me truly miss the smell of ur*ne, graffiti, getting pushed by old ladies carrying paper bags, unbelievable noise level, watching people ignore each other as much as possible, getting free papers people leave behind and of course the crazies yelling to the invisible audience. Thank you so muchrolleyes1.gif

    Oh those happy memories :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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