My first time to Manhattan

urbanlife · #1 Posted **Dec 6, 2009, 1:01 AM**

I figure I should get around to posting these pics....seeing that I took the trip back at the end of September....maybe if I stop being lazy I will post all the other pictures I have taken from my other trips over the years (With many of them being in Chicago.)

Anyway, along with the pictures I will make comments of what I felt about the city...I will say this, for the cost of living, I would much rather live in Manhattan than San Francisco, both are amazing cities, but if they both cost about the same, why would anyone want anything less than Manhattan.

This trip was a 4 day trip to New York, for the most part it all takes place in Manhattan because I wanted to limit myself so I didnt try to see too much which allowed me to really just enjoy what I saw and take in the city as naturally as I could...but I will say, 4 days is not enough time to see Manhattan. I think I need something more like 2 years to fully take in the city.

Now on to the show.

My first photo in NYC, I was testing the lighting and I accidentally pressed the button too hard and it took this shot.

This is what I meant to take.

Not sure how I feel about Obama condoms, but I liked the composition with the condoms and Madonna billboard.

An interesting piece of architecture that I couldnt get a good shot of and had zero desire to get close to it...Time Square was already starting to get on my nerves.

Just off of Time Square, I am definitely not a fan of this area, but I found that during my trip I would end up walking through the area alot because my hotel was just south of this area.

Not a great building, but in the right light it does photograph well.

If anyone wants to go to New York and not be impressed with the city, then go to the Hudson Yard area and I can guarantee that will happen...though with that said, some amazing photos of the midtown skyline can be found in that area.

For some reason, the ESB felt very much at a human scale to me. It felt like it was big, but not bigger than me....I am guessing that sounds weird, but that is how I felt about it. I have to say it definitely impressed me to see this icon in person.

I was happy to stumble across this project, though I totally forgot to go the the High Line park and see the Jean Nouvel building...guess a future trip will definitely be in my future.

I seriously could of spent the entire trip taking photos at the subway stops. The composition and play with lighting is so much fun down there...except for at the Grand Central Station stop...that area is like an oven even in late September.

Little did I know when I got off of this train, what would be waiting for me at the stop I got off at.

LSyd · #2 Posted **Dec 6, 2009, 1:26 AM**

cool. are these film? i like the look.

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urbanlife · #3 Posted **Dec 6, 2009, 1:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSyd

cool. are these film? i like the look.

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Nope, digital camera...it is my Fuji single lens SLR. It is extremely light and I enjoy the grainy quality I can get from it, which really shows up at full size.

Oh and there is alot more to come...I have over 200 photos that I found worthwhile to post, but I figure I will take my time doing it.

ue · #4 Posted **Dec 6, 2009, 2:58 AM**

^Would that be a bridge camera?

Anyways, interesting pics, looks like an amazing city. Good idea by not trying to Overwhelm yourself.

urbanlife · #5 Posted **Dec 6, 2009, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmontonenthusiast

^Would that be a bridge camera?

Anyways, interesting pics, looks like an amazing city. Good idea by not trying to Overwhelm yourself.

Yeah, it is a bridge camera...I really enjoy it.

I about crapped my pants when I saw the Ghostbuster firehouse (which is used in just about every movie that is about firemen as well.) This was a complete accident to stumble on this building. TriBeCa is definitely that NYC movie area which makes you truly feel like you are in the same New York that you always see in the movies.

I am a huge fan of Martha Schwartz and is was so much fun seeing this park in person...though I must say, some money needs to be spent repainting the park because it is starting to look aged.

This building has always been one to impress me, it was so exciting to see it in person.

Growing up, I had the biggest architecture crush on the Woolworth Building. My love for historical architecture stems from this building and it was just as moving to see it in person...as a matter of fact, I miss it ever since I left New York...no other city has a building that can rival the beauty of the Woolworth.

I was told that the hotdog cart at the Brooklyn Bridge was the best one in town...I have to agree after consuming several hotdogs all throughout the city during my trip....I was walking so much I felt like a baby, I was eating and drinking something like every two hours.

I am afraid of architects like Frank Gehry, while this tower looks cool in the skyline and would look like a unique building for any city to have, there is nothing different from this compared to the glass box office buildings that were built in every city during the past 50 years or so. If you notice, this building is nothing more than a slab tower with a unique skin, nothing about this building describes New York and Gehry never even needed to see the site to design this building...it can basically go anywhere. Also the base of the building feels really weird in its surroundings, as if it just feels like it doesnt belong.

If I didnt have good reception on the Brooklyn Bridge, I knew where I was gonna go to yell at someone.

Well that is it for this segment...if you are following, these photos are in order so you can basically map out my travelings of the island. I am off to work, I will try to post the rest tonight before I go to bed. I hope you have been enjoying my little tour.

urbanlife · #6 Posted **Dec 7, 2009, 10:44 AM**

The cables kept screwing with my focus and I became tired of trying to fix it before moving on, so this is the best of the blurry shots.

Me personally, I wish more of these seaport blocks along the water survived over the massive office buildings that replaced them....granted this one is now just a tourist trap, the architecture is still amazing.

A nice detail shot.

I only spent a short amount of time in Brooklyn, but I can definitely see the appeal of the area.

This district just makes me laugh.

This is going to be one of the best parks in the city.

Even from afar, she is still impressive.

Brooklyn Heights.

I love these trees.

Not in Brooklyn anymore.

You really feel like you are indoors when walking around the streets in downtown.

I love this yellow and black building, I just wish they painted the base bright yellow so it would stand out when walking around downtown...but they didnt, so I walked by it without even knowing the first time.

In case you are wondering where all our money has disappeared...they hide it behind the giant flag. No one would think to look under there.

It smells like Jersey...nah, just kidding with you Jersey, that smell is actually coming from their politicians.

In case you are wondering, the officer had no interest in the black man listening to his iPod...he was actually just patrolling the area because all the UN people were staying in Battery Park.

Jersey City does have an impressive skyline.

This sums up my experience and opinion of Battery Park...it is for those that want to live downtown, but dont want all the "dirty" things that come with downtown.

The Irish Hunger Memorial...much better than anything they have at the WTC site right now and this is a very moving memorial...I needed a quiet walk after it because it stuck some emotional cords in me after walking through it.

You wouldnt be able to guess I was in the middle of towers with this shot.

I am in love with the buildings in SoHo...the people...not so much....though lots of tall, hot models...so the area is a toss up for me.

The wealth that went into the Rockefeller Center was impossible for me to grasp, I couldnt imagine what NYC was like when something of this scale was constructed.

In case you are wondering, no tripod, a really steady hand, and about 15 photos trying to get a great non blurry night shot.

Top of the Rock...I think this might be one of the best date spots in the city...and a much better place to propose to a girl (or guy, its all good) than the crowded and cramp top of the ESB.

The MetLife Building, ruining photos since 1963....that is what a plaque at the base of the building should read.

When flying out of NYC, I could totally spot Time Square from the plane...it is by far one of the most surreal areas in New York...regardless if that is good or bad.

For some reason I had this rage inside of me and wanted to punch someone in the face at this moment....I wonder why..."News Corp, making up the news as we go on a daily basis." Now that should be their slogan.

Paley Park in Midtown is heaven in case you were wondering.

So when the German that painted this...do you think he ever knew this would end up in Manhattan and have some random dude texting in front of it without the slightest care where the chunk of concrete behind him came from? By the way, that is a piece of the Berlin Wall...another moving find for me in the city.

The bird in the photo was a complete random fluke...I didnt even see him until after I looked at the photo.

The reason why this tower is much better than the Gehry building is because the shape of the building reflects the unique lot that it sits on. The one set back that it has exposes the brick of the building next to it, kind of like pulling back the curtain on a stage to see what makes it work. The darkness of the building blends into its surroundings while the spots of yellow draw your eye upward to the sky...thus it causes people to look up.

If you squint, you wont notice you are in a tourist trap.

Brooklyn skyline.

I thought this pavilion would be done by the time of my trip, but I was wrong so all I got is construction shots.

By far, the funniest moment of my entire trip.

Oh why cant the inside of you be as great as the outside...the interior of this building makes me want to punch the architect in the balls.

Cant take photos in the museum, but seriously this is the only good shot that anyone could take inside this museum anyway.

It's staggered boxes? You could of fooled me when I was walking around inside it.

Next up is my last day in NYC...I hope you have been enjoying the tour and commentary of the trip...I seriously cannot wait till I get to visit that city again.

ThisSideofSteinway · #7 Posted **Dec 7, 2009, 12:02 PM**

Glad you had a great time!

Quote:

For some reason I had this rage inside of me and wanted to punch someone in the face at this moment....I wonder why..."News Corp, making up the news as we go on a daily basis." Now that should be their slogan.

No worries - my wife still laughs at me for shouting something similar at the building in a semi-drunken haze a few months ago.

ColDayMan · #8 Posted **Dec 7, 2009, 3:16 PM**

Fun stuff!

peanut gallery · #9 Posted **Dec 7, 2009, 5:32 PM**

Nice tour!

urbanlife · #10 Posted **Dec 7, 2009, 8:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisSideofSteinway

Glad you had a great time!

No worries - my wife still laughs at me for shouting something similar at the building in a semi-drunken haze a few months ago.

Nice, I have a feeling we are not alone in our hatred when standing next to this building.

urbanlife · #11 Posted **Dec 7, 2009, 10:59 PM**

This might be one of the best ways to start a morning.

The ESB really needs to take some advice from the Rockefeller Center and switch to glass walls, it was annoying trying to take photos through the fencing.

It was bright as hell out, it was so hard to get good shots of the city, but the view was definitely worth it...though I have to say I prefer New York from the street than I do on its tallest of buildings...but that should be a given.

My mom asked me when I got back if I went to Macy's and I told her that I wasnt even near it my entire time there...it wasnt till I looked at this photo that I realized I was only ever a block away from it during my walks around the city.

I love the New York Times and their building...though surprised there isnt a giant New York Times logo on the top of the building.

I call this the "Simcity Angle."

A classic example of NYC architecture.

I made a run up to the Guggenheim, only to remember they are closed on Thursdays...but I at least got to go to the Whitney Museum...I skipped the MET because it is too big and I didnt have enough time to take that place in, and I skipped the MoMA because it had a line halfway down the block and I hate trying to look at art in a crowded museum.

Nothing like seeing the work of a Portlander in the Big Apple...I am sure some dont like the renovation of this building, but I personally loved it.

My last hour in New York I spent it sitting on Broadway, enjoying the view of the Flatiron while chatting with a New Yorker that has lived in the city his entire life while he was on his lunch break.

I hope you enjoyed my tour, this is not all of the photos that I have from New York, there is more on my flickr page if anyone cares to check that out. Anyway, I enjoyed my time there and have to say it is one of the most impressive cities to walk around in and I cant wait till I get to do that again.

Though, like I mentioned earlier, I have a ton of Chicago and Spokane photos that I havent gotten around to posting...with these extremely cold weather we have been having in Portland, I might just get around to finally doing that.

Wheelingman04 · #12 Posted **Dec 8, 2009, 2:03 AM**

great work!! I am glad you loved the city.

urbanlife · #13 Posted **Dec 14, 2009, 7:40 PM**

figured I would give my own thread at least one bump before it leaves the first page.

koolkid · #14 Posted **Dec 14, 2009, 10:41 PM**

I have to agree with Tribeca giving off that "new york" vibe we see so much in the movies. It's my favorite neighborhood to explore, especially at night as it gives off a very "gotham" feel. It's always interesting to read someone elses' take on my city. Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed this concrete jungle I call home.

urbanlife · #15 Posted **Dec 15, 2009, 9:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by koolkid

I have to agree with Tribeca giving off that "new york" vibe we see so much in the movies. It's my favorite neighborhood to explore, especially at night as it gives off a very "gotham" feel. It's always interesting to read someone elses' take on my city. Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed this concrete jungle I call home.

Well I am also apart of that rare breed that feels more at home the bigger and denser the city is. I am not sure if I will ever have that chance of living there, it is hard to say what the future holds, but New York would be the only reason I would ever move back to the east coast.

boden · #16 Posted **Dec 15, 2009, 10:15 PM**

Thanks for the tour!

fleonzo · #17 Posted **Dec 28, 2009, 4:24 AM**

I'm glad you enjoyed "The City" and please post more pics when you get a chance!

urbanlife · #18 Posted **Dec 31, 2009, 9:12 PM**

1500 views, sweet, I didnt think it would get that many.

William of Waco · #19 Posted **Jan 1, 2010, 12:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanlife

1500 views, sweet, I didnt think it would get that many.

You've earned them.

I look forward to more of your NY photos in the future.

urbanlife · #20 Posted **Jan 1, 2010, 12:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by William of Waco

You've earned them.

I look forward to more of your NY photos in the future.

I hope to make more new york trips in the future...though my next trip will probably be Chicago, seeing that I make that trip each year...I really should post my photos from my previous trips to Chicago.