There is no doubt that there is no place like New York City.  And for someone from Arizona, it is a completely different planet.  I love visiting this city.

After a long day of traveling, I parked my car and carted my bags to my modest but clean hotel.  I checked in and called the elevator which was just big enough for two people.  I laughed.  They certainly have learned how to conserve space in this city.  And when I reached my room, I set my bags down, took off my shoes and went to the window to take in the view.  No view could have been more entertaining than the one I found.  Almost in defiance of my ridiculous view, I stood in front of the open curtains and took it in, as though I were at the top of the Empire States Building.  It was the perfect view.  To me, this is New York.  A strange, crowded world with completely different rules and expectations.  It fascinates me.

The crowds are never ending 24 hours a day.  I suppose living in this atmosphere is both invigorating and lonely.  There are simply so many people that everyone is lost in the crowd.  As I walk down the streets of New York, there are so many people dressed in every style imaginable, that it became harder and harder to place significance on any one person.  I think the same is true of imagery.  As photographers present more and more images, they create confusion for the viewer and make it harder for any one image to stand out.  The more crowded a portfolio becomes, the less impactful it becomes.  You may get someone’s attention by overwhelming them with the shear volume of work, but the impact  of the imagery is lost in a sea of visual noise that is almost impossible to break through.  I see this in many photographers’ portfolios, blog posts and client deliveries and I am convinced that it overwhelms the viewer to the point of shut down.  Less is more.

Of course, the architecture in New York is fantastic.  I particularly love the older buildings.  One of my favorites is the Flat Iron building and when it is shot from the right angle, it even looks more peculiar than it already is.  Every street in NYC is a visual feast.  It is a great backdrop, or it can be a great subject on its own.  I wish I had more time in the city…

And of course, when I think of New York, I think of the subway system, the under-world of the city.  And the fact that it was conceived and built so long ago, completely boggles my mind.  This photograph was taken late at night as I waited on my train.  I was struck by this scene as I compared the experience of the people in that car to my experience outside that car.  This image sums up my interest in New York City.  It is a city I love to observe, but I do enjoy being just an observer, because I think the sheer speed and density would eat me alive.