Flatiron District New York City

Flatrion District New York City

The Flatiron District is a common subject in New York City photography, with the Flatiron Building being a prominent part of most landmark shots. I have always found it a difficult area to photograph as there are so many truly fantastic shots that it is hard to create an original point of view. In these photos, I tried to take some pretty average New York scenes and with the use of HDR photography turn them into painting like pieces of art. Thanks as always for looking at my work and do let me know what you think!

Flatiron Building Skyline

 

Flatiron View Up Madison Avenue

 

23rd Street & Park Avenue

 

Hot Dog Stand

 

Flatiron Building & Subways

 

Crossing 23rd Street

Flight Deck

Flight deck at the Intreprid Sea Air & Space Museum

The Flight Deck Brings Back Some Memories...

I came to New York City some 18 years ago from my home in Trinidad in the West Indies having never seen snow. Without a proper coat, gloves, boots or any understanding of what it is to be in temperatures under 65 degrees, my first job was working as a security guard/tour guide at the Intrepid Museum. I had enlisted in the Navy with the goal of becoming a SEAL and securing a way to take care of my then pregnant wife. We lived in a single room with a mattress on the floor as a bed and I had a total of $500 to my name. I signed up for the Navy soon after getting here and since my wife was expecting, they gave me a job at the Intrepid to hold me over so I could be here for the birth of my son before I shipped out to basic training.

I was completely unprepared for the cold, both phyiscally and mentally- and my first day of work saw me shoveling snow in a storm bereft of gloves or a warm coat. To keep my socks dry I tied a garbage bag around my feet and I willed myself to keep going for those long shifts of snow shoveling and braving the harsh winter winds on the flight deck of the Intrepid. Not surprisingly, I developed an asthmatic condition not too long afterwards, which destroyed all hopes of my enlisting.

I remember standing on the flight deck completely devastated that my life dream of being a Navy SEAL wasn't going to happen, and dealing with the dread of how I was going to support my familiy. I had no friends and was very much alone in this cold and foreign city and I remember being surprised at how cold the tears would be when they ran down my face. It was there on this very same flight deck that I resolved that I was not going home, and that I would indeed make it here in New York no matter what.

Standing on the flight deck all those years later, I wanted to show the sense of hope and beauty that New York can inspire in us, and the resolve that I felt myself that day. My son, now in his late teens and almost off to college and I went to star gazing event at the Intrepid- and I couldn't help but take the time to reflect on how far I had come. I hope you enjoy my photos.

My Photo Is Chosen For The Save The Coney Island Save The Boardwalk Movement

One of my very first shots was chosen earlier this year out of perhaps hundreds of thousands of others for the Save The Coney Island Boardwalk website. Ironically, I shot this photograph one week after buying my first camera- a Canon t2i with the stock zoom lens that came with it. I took the shot but didn't think much of it until my son saw it and persuaded me that it was indeed 'post worthy'. Not too long after posting it I was contacted about having it used for their site and I could not have been more stunned or more honored.

The legendary wooden Coney Island Boardwalk is being slowly replaced by concrete, a move which many (myself included) feel will destroy the charm of the boardwalk itself. This photo shows what it looked like before the concrete additions and underlines the importance of having photographs of just about everything. As you never know when things are going to change. You can check out the Save Coney Island website here.

Welcome to Naturally Intense Photography!

Welcome To Naturally Intense Photography

It's been quite a ride since I first picked up a camera a little over a year ago to where I am now. I would like to thank everyone for their unerring support of my work and their encouragement for me to take my show on the road as they say. On the main site there are a host of photos available for sale, as well as e-cards, downloads and more. Here on the blog you'll get to see what projects I have been working on and get a description of what equipment I used to get the shots that I take. Thanks again for stopping by!

Brooklyn Bridge Photo Above- How Did I Do It?

Equipment: Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 24mm 1.4 L lens (MkII)

2 exposures at F 11- one at 15 seconds and one at 30 seconds blended together in Photoshop.