Summer in New York

In August I spent 4-5 days in New York living at my generous cousin’s studio in the lower east side. First off, I have to say I love this neighbour hood. It is filled with tiny galleries and boutiques and feels very much like New York. I am blessed to not have experienced or stayed in a more commercialized area. This New York trip marks the end of my summer and it is become an annual tradition with my sister. We’re like identical twins but three years apart. We do almost everything together and people think it’s completely strange. We don’t look alike, the way identical twins would but we behave like we were in our mother’s womb side by side for 9 months before coming into the world. 

So on a lovely summer Sunday, we trotted down to Spitzer’s Corner on Rivington. When we got seated by a really gorgeous waitress (I swear she could be a model & I wouldn't be surprised if she is one), we had asked for the patio seat which is like a long bench that just faces the open street. I decided to place my little camera on the table and shoot 1 shot every time something seemed interesting for a 10 minute duration. Anything that seemed fun or happening I pressed my index finger down. I clicked my shutter button in a very nonchalant manner, while talking to my sister so that by-passers wouldn’t behave any differently in front my lens and notice what was going on. (although some of the keen eyed pedestrians couldn't help but notice.)

Here on the 4th row 4th & 5th column is the man who caught me catch him. 

He didn’t seem pleased. but I couldn’t tell behind the huge lens of his camera.

Rainbow afro on the small guy in frame 1 at the top left.

Girl with the flowers 2nd row on the left.  I wonder if they're real and who they're for. 

Waitress places my glass down in front of the camera.. I moved it. 

There were much more interesting things going on in front of the water.

...The shots stop. And then our delicious food arrived and might I say, it is as scrumptious as it looks. 

(probably because most of the ingredients were organic)

mouthwatering organic poached eggs on spinach quiche atop whole grain toast

fluffy buttermilk pancakes with a side of fresh organic berries

You might ask. Why do this? two words..Duane Michals. I saw his work on a projector in my History of Photography class in 3rd year and never looked at photography the same. I'm so glad I didn't dose off that day.  I love the way Michals uses photography as a tool of narration. His photo series Things are Queer was the first one I saw but not the only one I remembered. I also love how the way he uses props within a space to give us, the viewer, visual hints of where he might be leading us. Here is some of his stuff. 

Michals once said The keyword is having something to express. When you look at my photographs you are looking into my mind.”  What I would do to just see things from his eyes for a day.

 His work inspired my third year final a piece titled masquerade which I will include some shots here.

The project forced me to dig up tons of old frames and jewellery and it turned out to be one of my favourite shoots ever. 

They can also be seen on my website: www.akara.ca 


My friend, Hesh did my website, he’s a crazy & amazing graphic designer, if you’re more interested in graphic design work. go to his website: www.hdjd.ca 


Hope you can appreciate the Michal's series just as much as I have.