Iphone: Toyota Land Cruiser

I'd love to have one of these. Shot and processed with the Iphone.

The Hassy Book Movie

Here's my Hasselblad featured photographer book...in movie format. The book is on sale here.

Vintage Camera: Kodak Bullet

The latest add to my vintage camera collection: a Kodak Bullet Camera. BAM!!!! This 1936 model is pretty simple. The viewfinder consists of a pair of frames and the lens is assembled on a helicoid slope, at the end of which a shutter release is located. I've had my eye on one of these for a few weeks and finally sniped it for $9 on Ebay last week. It cost me a little more than than I like paying but I couldn't resist the Art Deco styling. This is a Walter Dorwin Teague designed camera, as was my last find, the Brownie Special Six-20. For more on Teague and some of his classic designs, hit up Camerapedia.

First Visit to the Iron Triangle (Part II)

Some more shots from my first visit to the Iron Triangle in Willets Point from back in December, 2008.

Vintage Camera: Kodak Six-20 Brownie Special

Say hello to my little friend. This past weekend, I welcomed a Kodak Six-20 Brownie Special to my vintage camera family. The camera sold new for $4 from 1938-1942. It features a fixed-aperture meniscus lens, a straight top optical viewfinder, single speed shutter, and two focal distance settings (5-10 feet and beyond 10 feet)--about a simple as things can get (although I'm also scouting out some box cameras). This one was on Ebay for $0.99.

High Line: Getting Ready for the the Spring Opening

I took a quiet walk through Section II of the High Line early on the morning of Columbus Day. No work was happening that day due to the holiday. The place was all mine. Magical!!! Be excited for it to open in the Spring.

First Visit to the Iron Triangle (Part I)

Here's a few shots from my first visit to the Iron Triangle in Willets Point from back in December, 2008.

Iphone: Ice Cream Trucks

Shot and processed with the Iphone.

Vintage Camera: Minolta Autocord

Confession: I have been bitten by the vintage film camera collection bug. On Saturday, I hit a local estate sale and picked up this little orphan for $10.

Say hello to the 6x6 twin lens reflex Minolta Autocord. Never heard of it? Well, it was it was designed to compete with premium TLR cameras such as the Rolleiflex. Many argue that the Autocord's ergonomics, focusing, and optics are unmatched among TLRs, even the legendary Rollei. It's also a pretty great looking piece of camera history. I'm thrilled to now own one!

Tuscany

Tuscany, 2005.

Feast of San Gennaro: Authenticity Lost?

I used to go to the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy every September. My friends and I would have a few drinks, go sit and have our pictures taken in the "big chair", and people watch. There's nothing like a festival to draw out the city's characters.

Even though we always had a good time, something about the festival always bothered me. It all just felt so manufactured and watered down. Another chance for the same old street vendors to set up and take advantage of the throngs. Walking the feast, I passed table after table of imitation Forza Italia jerseys, bad techno CDs, and plastic saints. Every one of the restaurants has the same outdoor setup and seemingly the same menu. I guess I had expected a taste of the authentic old school Little Italy, scenes out of the Godfather II, and some real Italian food. For my two cents, like much of New York, the festival has become a victim of its own success. Its so big now that its lost the character that made it great. I suppose if you look really hard, you can still find the quiet scenes, the vignettes you hope to find, but they are harder and harder to find with each passing year.

Iphone: Box Trucks III

Shot and processed with the Iphone.