Hey, Nice Camera!

Draining

2012-02-25T22:38:00.001-05:00

No, this was the pool drain:

But is it art?

Don't answer that.

Poolside

2012-02-24T23:40:00.003-05:00

Is draining:

Is that a drain? Or is it that other thing that you can hear the water sloshing around inside? I don't know since I don't have a pool of my own, and didn't grow up in one of those pool houses. Will there be more pool shots to come? I don't know. I do know it's been like bananas over here, even to the point that I barely even have time to develop film. So maybe there will be more pool shots to come. Then again, maybe I'll see what I can do. I'll talk to a man about a horse. A horse that develops film.

Pool Stuff

2012-02-23T22:45:00.002-05:00

You know, by the pool:

So what happens if you just put the whole tube of cookie dough in without bothering to break it off into little cookie sized pieces? I think tonight's the night I find out.

One World Trade

2012-02-22T21:40:00.002-05:00

Coming along:

Okay, now we're square. Now what the hell do I get for dinner...I'm thinking a ginger ale and a cookie might suffice.

Looming Over the Pool

2012-02-22T17:17:00.002-05:00

Is a building:

I like the dude in the pool swimming at us on the lower left.

I owe you a picture. I'll get on that.

Storm's a Brewin'

2012-02-21T23:51:00.002-05:00

Up in the sky, where the storms are (wasn't that a Connie Francis song?):

This is truly a momentous occasion. It's the first time Connie Francis has been mentioned on this blog in some 900+ posts. Who knows where this thing may lead!

PS: I didn't forget, I still owe you a picture.

Rooftop Pool Aerobics

2012-02-20T20:32:00.002-05:00

Okay, someone's not with the program here:

In another 30 years or so, that'll be me in that pool in the sky finally taking steps towards getting in shape.

PS: I know, I missed a day. I owe you a picture.

Buildings! Modern!

2012-02-18T19:06:00.003-05:00

Everywhere you look! Piled on top of another!

Dig that perspective or lack thereof!

Hmm, if I could only remember where I was when I took this photo...

Solitary Building

2012-02-17T23:11:00.002-05:00

There it is again, after a long absence from this blog:

Where was I again....

Pool Water

2012-02-16T19:56:00.003-05:00

In black and white:

It sure looks cool and summery like that, no?

A Heap of Stuff

2012-02-15T16:29:00.002-05:00

In Bushwick:

Yeah, this photo is a heap of something alright...ugh.

Bushwick Building

2012-02-14T17:13:00.003-05:00

In Bushwick, Brooklyn:

I'm all out of alliteration for the day.

London Terrace

2012-02-13T20:29:00.002-05:00

On 23rd Street:

Pretty impressive, wouldn't you say?

Taken From the High Line

2012-02-12T21:23:00.002-05:00

I have no idea what this is:

Like seriously. I don't even know what this is or where exactly I took it, other than it's from the High Line.

Just One of Those Shots

2012-02-11T17:29:00.002-05:00

You know?

I mean, it's just one of those shots that I find myself liking, even though I'm not entirely sure what's going on with it. It's like there's all this stuff going on. There's these people walking, there's this chick on the phone, there's these mannequins that I find somewhat arousing...come to think of it, this photo has it all!

We Will Take Our Country Back

2012-02-10T18:30:00.002-05:00

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yes, I counted. There are 17 exclamation points down there):

Ahh, remember way back in October of 2011 when you'd be standing on the corner minding your own business and then all of a sudden there's like thousands of people walking from downtown to Times Square? And what's up with that, "The people united will never be defeated," chant? It doesn't even rhyme! I'm not sure I could ever put my support behind a movement that cant even get a decent rhyme scheme going.

Guardhouse

2012-02-09T22:25:00.004-05:00

It's well guarded, behind all that barbed wire:

Lately I feel like I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there. Maybe one of these years I'll put some meaningful words down around here.

Morgan Avenue Subway Station

2012-02-08T16:08:00.004-05:00

On Bogart Street. How that makes any sense I have no idea:

I've been riding the L lately. Also, every time the train goes through the Montrose Avenue station I hear "Bad Motor Scooter" in my head. That's normal, right?

The Streak

2012-02-07T16:48:00.002-05:00

What were you expecting, Ray Stevens?

Well, here's that streak I was talking about. Now this film was Verichrome Pan from the 70s, and I used some ratty looking Diafine (5+5) on it. It almost looks like a drip down the side of the film. Now this was developed in an old FR tank, so there was no inverting, just twisting the little knob back and forth to agitate. Of course, I used more than the recommended amount of developer (500ml instead of 475ml), yet still, I got this on several of my negatives. I don't know what this is all about. I didn't have this trouble with another roll of the same film also using Diafine. Or maybe it was the fixer? The stop (which was just water, as per the Diafine recommendation), Maybe a lack of stoppage? It happened on nearly half of the negatives, and sometimes on consecutive shots. Maybe something with the camera (though I haven't had this issue before)?

Hmm....

Gravel Plant II

2012-02-06T23:29:00.002-05:00

I told you we'd come back to it!

You see that light band on the left side there? I don't know what that's all about. It turned up on other pics too, and I have a feeling it might have to do with the developing process. I'll post another picture tomorrow which shows it off a bit better and I'll get more into it. Now I have to get back to watching the last episode of the heavy metal documentary on VH1. Prog rock, baby.

Roy's Taxi

2012-02-05T22:54:00.002-05:00

In Texas, 1999:

Okay, so maybe we'll have to wait until tomorrow to get back to our Bushwick Business.

Anybody catch Puppy Bowl VIII?

Redscale Chrysler

2012-02-04T20:19:00.001-05:00

Building, that is:

Back to our Bushwick Brooklyn Business tomorrow...

Barbed

2012-02-03T23:08:00.002-05:00

Of the wire variety:

In Bushwick, of course. They have a lot of it there, come to think of it.

Gravel Plant Parking Lot

2012-02-02T21:44:00.002-05:00

No relation to Heavy Metal Parking Lot:

Have I ever mentioned how much I love the Photoshop clone tool and how it's great for getting rid of dust? Trust me, I spent an hour de-dusting that parking lot with NatGeo on in the background. Yeah, it isn't a full de-dusting, but if I truly had nothing going on in my life, I would have.

Oh, who am I kidding...

Gravel Plant

2012-02-01T18:46:00.001-05:00

Not in the botanical sense:

Yeah, I got confused too.

Bombs Over Bushwick

2012-01-31T23:36:00.005-05:00

Okay, not quite. Maybe it's just a non-bomber kind of plane:

You had best prepare yourself, there's going to be a whole Bushwick thing going on here for potentially as long as 11 days.

NON-SEARCH RELATED SCREENCAP DEPT:

I saw this on the NY Daily News site last week:

I swear I thought it said "Hitler."

Okay, there's too many jokes to make and I'm too tired to get any of them out.

Nuzzling

2012-01-30T22:25:00.002-05:00

Bottom right:

That's a nuzzle, right? A nose nuzzle? A nozzle? A couple of eskishmoes or something? I'll get to that VP 616 tomorrow. All sorts of running around today. Where did I run around to? Well that's for me to know and for me to know.

Did I put this picture up already? Yeah, it's from the archives (if you haven't figured that out already). I can't remember anymore, even though I do searches on the blog for such telltale keywords as "fisheye," "fountain," or "eskishmoes," and come up with nothing. Then again, there's nearly 900 posts on this thing so cut me a break, will ya?

Oh, today I overheard the following statement spoken by a homeless woman to some homeless men who were on line with a bunch of other homeless people waiting for alms:

"You niggas talkin' bout pussy ain't never get some!"

Words of wisdom Lloyd, words of wisdom...

Take a Picture,

2012-01-29T20:33:00.003-05:00

Check the shot:

And repeat...

I'm hoping to have my act together tomorrow reasonably enough so I can develop this roll of V616 (yeah, I'm being aloof like that) I shot last week. And here's a preview. I shot it in Brooklyn. GASP! What was I doing in Brooklyn? Worse yet, I was in Bushwick! What the hell was I doing there? Of all places? I'm still not sure what happened. The photographic evidence will tell everything.

That's not true, it's just pictures of stuff. I have to go wash out a pot.

Nondescript Photo

2012-01-28T20:29:00.003-05:00

...from the Occupy days:

I almost wrote "undescript." Someone needs to get some rest.

Me fail english? That's unpossible!

Engaged in Conversation

2012-01-27T21:21:00.002-05:00

You can tell by the head tilt:

Boy, I sure do spend a lot of time shooting in Washington Square Park. I wonder how long it will take until these photos look dated.

Look at me trying to be profound. Yuck.

Judson and Clouds

2012-01-26T18:31:00.003-05:00

That's what's in the picture there:

Yeah, when it comes to titles for these things, I sure am literal. I also sure am tired. Been hectic around here lately. Not hectic bad or anything, just a bit hectic.

Hectic.

Grimace

2012-01-25T16:14:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm not sure it was really a grimace, I just caught her at that exact moment when her face was in flux:

I'd like this a whole lot more if it were in focus. I should probably keep an eye out for this lady once it gets warmer and thank her, since she's accounted for three separate entries on this here blog.

Can I stretch things or what?

PS: I'm going to refix another roll that was even more poorly fixed than this one, but don't be sitting on the edge of your seats or anything.

Jump

2012-01-24T16:42:00.002-05:00

In a fountain:

When I first saw them, I thought they might have been Kris Kross, but they obviously aren't because they are not wearing their clothes backwards.

Arthur Conan Doyle ain't got deduction skills like that!

Needs Fixing

2012-01-23T19:11:00.003-05:00

Or should I have said, "fixer?"

Can you see how it's kind of cloudy in the middle there? That's the unfixed part. At least I think it is. I'm not sure that would make the picture any better. I really need to get to developing more film. More and newer film. Shooting some might help too.

Posing for Two Pictures

2012-01-22T16:29:00.003-05:00

Mine being the second, though I don't think she noticed. Either way, thanks for the shot Toots!

"Toots?" What decade am I living in? I must have picked up this sort of language from watching too much TCM. You see, TV does have an influence on our behavior!

Land of the Thieves

2012-01-21T18:31:00.002-05:00

Home of the Debt Slaves. From back in the Occupy days:

It looks like I had some focusing issues with this one too. Or movement issues. Or an issue of focus and movement. I wouldn't be surprised if this entry has lost your focus already.

The DMZ

2012-01-20T21:26:00.003-05:00

Back in the Occupy days:

I think there's a bit of a focusing issue with this one, or something going on with that center blur/mush. Then again, this negative was a bit cloudy (which is a sign of exhausted fixer), so it could do with another trip to Fixland (that's not only an official technical photographical term, but an actual place).

Eh, I'm not up to going to Fixland right now. That would mean having to put on pants, and that would take too much energy to endure at the moment. I'll just sit here instead; pantsless and unfixed.

You can take that any way you see fit.

White Guy Dreads

2012-01-19T17:41:00.002-05:00

Holy crap, it's 1990 all over again!

Okay everybody, put in your Faith No More tapes and jam that shit!

Yellow Cabs in Redscale

2012-01-18T19:16:00.003-05:00

From the archives:

So maybe I'm going to be developing new film tonight instead of last night or during the day today. But I'm not sure any developing will get done during Top Chef: Texas, or whatever they're calling it this time around. Although there is this new NOVA on tonight titled, 3D Spies of WWII. That might merit some watching as well. It's amazing I get anything done around here (how many times have I typed that sentence on this blog?)...

Happy Chanukah!

2012-01-17T20:11:00.002-05:00

I think that's what it says...

I think the Shroud of Turin is clearer than this photo. Don't worry, I've got some new rolls about to get the developer treatment (new, non-vintage rolls), so you'll be seeing my usual, run of the mill photo fare soon enough.

Bowl o' Rama

2012-01-16T17:00:00.001-05:00

In Texas, 1999:

These Texan backyards have everything!

Minetta Lane

2012-01-15T16:56:00.002-05:00

Another view:

It's not quite as dramatic as when you're looking the other way with the bend in the road. I'll get back to you on this one, there's a football game on.

A Stroll in the Park

2012-01-14T15:02:00.003-05:00

Right foot, left foot. Right foot, left foot...

Over on the right, if you can see in the dark there, you might spy a grand piano, and standing in front of it would be Colin Huggins. He's been dragging a piano to the park for a few years already to the delight of those within earshot. Lately he's been fighting the good fight against Bloomberg and the park cops. A few months ago, Bloomberg started cracking down on buskers in the park, equating them with vendors, basically shutting them out of the park (long story short. It's been in the news, look it up). He's defied these orders and has accrued plenty of fines, which are being fought in court. Ron Kuby's on it, so here's to hoping.

Outside there's a wind chill of 24 degrees (I know that's not super cold, but just go with me here), and in here it's a balmy 80.

It's official, winter has winted!

BY THE WAY:
I had the chance to meet Richard Benjamin some years back and didn't even ask him about Saturday the 14th.

WHAT THE FUCK WAS I THINKING??????

Judson on Old Film

2012-01-13T21:27:00.002-05:00

You can see it there, right?

I submit this photo as proof that just because you take a picture on old decrepit film doesn't mean it's necessarily a good picture. And that goes for pictures that are made to look like they're taken on old decrepit film.

Do you hear me all you Instagram Motherfuckers out there?

I suppose the big deal is Instagram now. I'm not really seeing the Hipstamatic thing getting any play so much anymore, at least not in my corner of the internet.

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

Someone's gotten me figured out.

Is the Developer the Difference?

2012-01-12T18:17:00.006-05:00

You be the judge:

or

Both shots were taken the same day under nearly identical conditions (you can see the sun hitting Two Fifth Avenue on the left in the first shot while the second was completely overcast). Do you see a difference between the two?

Now both of these rolls were of the same batch. They were both that "No. 2 Brownie" marked film that was also marked 120. Remember when I said I'd see if I could find out anything more about that? Well, today I happened to happen upon this:

Now the film I got was unboxed, but the spools were all metal; not with the wooden core as featured in the 1930 model above. I don't know the date when they switched over from wooden cores to all metal reels. I'll get right on that.

I also know that to do true justice to this test, I have to shoot one roll and cut it in half (King Solomon style) and develop each half in different developers and see what happens. Though part of the fun of working with such old film is the unpredictability of it all. Or maybe I'm just trying to control the uncontrollable. But isn't that what life is all about? There's the people trying to control it all and the others who accept that they're really not in control? What the hell am I talking about? I need a ginger ale and a cookie.

Whiteface Dave

2012-01-11T20:24:00.004-05:00

I think this is my first Number One Party post of 2012!

If I only knew how to shoot a really pale guy with a flash at night in the first place, then I wouldn't have to learn how to photoshop down the whiteness after the fact.

I saw a near fistfight break out after the last act of Tosca last night at the Met. The Fuck Yous were flying with wild abandon, along all sorts of finger pointing (and no, none of it was directed at Roberto Alagna. Or perhaps somebody saw Luc Bondy or Peter Gelb and was letting them know how they fucked up an otherwise wonderful Franco Zefferelli production). I was shocked at such low behavior in such a high place. I thought that sort of vulgarity only happened at the New York City Opera, which is basically falling apart, and which is a very sad thing. Seriously.

Making the Move

2012-01-10T16:01:00.002-05:00

In Union Square Park:

I wonder if Bobby Fischer ever played using a closed cardboard box taped to an open cardboard box as a table.

Kneeling

2012-01-09T13:26:00.002-05:00

In Union Square Park:

If I were in the psychic business, I'd greet everybody with, "I've been expecting you." But this doesn't really surprise me. I've seen rational looking people hand money over to people on the street claiming to be psychics with hardly any accoutrements, sometimes with just a cheap plastic chair, footstool, and a deck of tarot cards. Oh, and they'll have some poorly handwritten cardboard sign too. I think even if I believed in the whole psychic thing I wouldn't be giving my money to just anybody on the street. Then again, this broad does seem to have a crystal ball of sorts. And she's got that whole African thing going on. She's going to be putting him in touch with all sorts of ancient spirits speaking that click language. She should have a Coke bottle there so she could exclaim, "The gods must be crazy!!!"

Someone out there got that, right?

Bison Bust

2012-01-08T23:16:00.002-05:00

Texas, Summer 1999:

Holy crap am I tired. Like seriously tired. Like I fell asleep sitting up while watching football tired. So why am I up now? I'm not sure. But I won't be for long...

Sunny Arch

2012-01-07T21:06:00.002-05:00

On old old film:

I got four rolls of unboxed film that are marked not only as Verichrome and 120, but also as "2-Brownie." So far my research hasn't been able to figure out when this film was made. Going on the backing paper, I'm thinking 1940s. Maybe even the 30s. Verichrome was made from 31-56. According to another site, it said that the 2-film designation was done before they started using the 120 number, but they were using the 120 number long before Verichrome came along.

Let's face it, I'm too tired right now to deal with this. I'll dive into it another time. If I figure out what's going on, I'll let you know (I'm sure you'll be on your tippy toes waiting...).

Who Are You Going to Believe?

2012-01-06T23:05:00.002-05:00

Me, or your lion eyes?

That's terrible, I know. Even more terrible because there aren't even any eyes of this stone animal featured in the photo. I was just forcing the issue (but since when is that news?).

Minetta Lane

2012-01-05T16:17:00.002-05:00

In Greenwich Village USA!

It looks peaceful now, as it was last sunday afternoon. But in a few hours Van Halen (With DLR, without Michael Anthony) will be playing at Cafe Wha just behind where I was standing. Wha is only a 250 seat capacity venue, but I'm sure more than 250 people will be converging down there tonight.

VH is back! But are they better than ever?

On verra.
On verra.

Chestnuts

2012-01-04T18:35:00.003-05:00

In midtown:

There's nothing like shooting uncovered lightbulbs at night, eh?

So I mentioned I'm reading The Grapes of Wrath for the first time. I'm finally catching up to 1939, and boy howdy am I hooked. The only other Steinbeck I've ever read is Of Mice and Men, but this thing is really unbelievable. That motherfucker could write. Also, it's full of sex talk! I'm surprised they'd assign this to high schoolers. I'd be curious to find out if it was ever banned in Boston (or anywhere else) because of the sex content (and I'm only 130 pages in).

Yes, I'm finally getting with the program 73 years later.

It's All Greek to Me

2012-01-03T19:50:00.004-05:00

Okay, that's terrible:

Has everyone forgotten their 2012 resolutions yet? And wouldn't it make more sense if we made resolutions on our birthdays? And screw resoluting (yes, that's a word), just fucking do it. A resolution is just another way of putting off shit that you should be doing, either for yourself or for others (Or in the Buddhist way of thinking, if you're doing things for others, you are in turn doing it for yourself). So just do it already. Turn off that TV, pick up that pen, do whatever the fuck it is you've been stopping yourself from doing already. Get out of your own way for crying out loud.

Now if only I could do that...

A Bunch of Bikes

2012-01-02T23:15:00.003-05:00

That's the technical term, "bunch."

The shot is a little busy on the left side, don't you think?

Battlements

2012-01-01T18:37:00.002-05:00

Well, not really. It's just Central Park South:

Or then again, maybe you could show up in your Lord of the Rings LARPing costumes and have a blast. I'm in no position to judge.

Menorah

2011-12-31T16:41:00.003-05:00

By the Plaza Hotel:

But not just any menorah, but the "Worlds (sic) Largest Chanukah Menorah," as provided by the Lubovitchers. Now I don't recall seeing any big TV special about the lighting of this menorah. I don't think Justin Bieber dropped by with Mariah Carey. Hell, they probably didn't even get Matisyahu, especially now that he's shaved his beard. Who knows, he might even start playing Friday night shows.

Of course, as I type this, I'm listening to Bach's St. John Passion, which is one of the more anti-semitic passions. Then again, aren't all the passions anti-semitic by definition? Well, they're probably no more anti-semitic than your average South American Fox News poll (Look it up, it was just in the news).

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

Oh yeah, my blog's chock full of them...

St. Pat's

2011-12-30T22:49:00.004-05:00

The new one, not the OG one on Mulberry:

You know, I'm finally beginning to get into this podcasting thing. No, not making podcasts, but listening to them. I know, I'm a little late to the bandwagon here, but I find there's nothing more entertaining than hearing someone talk into a microphone into their laptop computer on their kitchen table. This is some internet we have, no?

SEARCH OF THE DAY:
Okay, I just about give up here. UNCLE! UNCLE!!!

I know all these words are in my blog, but definitely not in that order. I did search these words in Google Images, and here's what came out, just a few rows down:

So on the left is a fictional product, apparently endorsed by Chris Pronger, captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, and on the right...I don't know which one of them's McNulty, but I sure don't see no gaping vagina. I didn't even know there was a gaping vagina of the week to be had. And in the middle is my giant zipper photo saying, "What do you want from me?"

I'll go back to that line as often as God lets me (and why wouldn't he?).

Rock Reflection

2011-12-29T18:22:00.003-05:00

And some kind of makeshift ice rink:

I didn't notice the reflection of 30 Rock (I hear there's some kind of show by the same name) in the plaque when I took the shot, but I'm glad that it's there. But on the whole, this is just a very run of the mill photo.

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

Okay, this is the third search about group sex that has somehow found someone to this site in as many weeks (or less). What are you people thinking when you click here? Can't you see the URL is "heynicecamera.blogspot.com?" There's nothing in there that would suggest anything different. "black gang fuck?" I mean, I'm not judging anybody here. If you want to see the entire cast of Madea Goes to Jail having an orgy that's entirely your right, but do you really think you're going to find it here?

Oh, and how disappointed are you when you find out this isn't the place for all African-American action? You could at least leave a comment.

The Number One Finger

2011-12-28T20:09:00.003-05:00

At the Number One Birthday Party of the Number One Birthday Boy!

Remember yesterday when I said I didn't have heat? Well, now I have heat, but no thermostat. So that means I turn on the baseboard directly with the breaker and it jams at full blast, and once it gets too hot I shuts it off. The thermostat comes tomorrow so they say. So I hope. So I hope at a reasonable hour so I'm not just sitting here waiting for them to come, "from any time between 8AM and 9PM, and without any warning," as the cable company usually says. That reminds me, I should get one of those DVR cable boxes. It's not like I don't watch too much TV already, and I haven't had my VCR connected in ages. Maybe the DVR isn't such a good idea. I'm about to sit down and read The Grapes of Wrath for the first time in my life. Wow, I've finally made it to the 9th grade.

It's about time.

Central Park South

2011-12-27T17:34:00.004-05:00

Not a bad view from the Subway entrance:

I love modern life. I can sit here and send this blog page out to the entire planet, yet not have heat in my apartment. You should feel how cold my little hands are. It's either that, or both my shoulders have bloodclots going. maybe I should sleep in a blanket of newspapers tonight. It seems to work on the outside, so why not in here?

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

Okay, so I can almost understand people finding this site by doing a search on "west village gang bang," but Portland Oregon? Is this a new thing going on out there that hasn't reached us yet? Are they going to cover this on Portlandia? I'm pretty sure I don't want to see Fred Armisen naked (I'm sure he'd feel the same way if he saw me).

Okay, it's time to put on some heavy socks and long underwear since I'll be staying in for the night.

Sheepy (c) and Unidentified

2011-12-26T13:03:00.003-05:00

Yes, this is Sheepy formerly of the Ron and Fez show. I think he was an intern. I mean, I'm not sure if he did anything else for them in a producing capacity (I should know this, since I've only been listening to Ron and Fez since the first night they were on in nyc in 2000, minus the JFK years of course), but somehow I don't.

Some fan I am.

The Rock

2011-12-25T21:02:00.004-05:00

Or Rockefeller Center to you:

I probably should have called this "30 Rock" so people searching for the show would happen upon this page by accident. Well, hopefully me just putting that in there did that just the same.

So I went out to shoot our fair city on Christmas Day today but didn't get farther than Washington Square Park. I probably shouldn't have stayed up until 5am watching "Oddities" on The Science Channel (I think that's where that show lives). Though I was happy to see the Mitzvah Tank blaring out its Maccabean message of Hannukah happiness on this Christian holiday which somehow is also a national holiday even though I thought I read something about there supposing to be a separation of church and state in this country.

Go figure.

Unoriginal

2011-12-24T12:27:00.004-05:00

Like nobody's ever done this before:

Though I do like that the SWC got St. Pat's in from across the street.

By the way, La Fille du Regiment is now being broadcast live from the Met. I suggest you tune in. Right now, Tonio and Marie are telling each other how much they love each other.

That's nice, no?

PS: Happy birthday Dad.

Davey Mac In Your Face!

2011-12-23T22:21:00.004-05:00

With a microphone, no less!

Despite a bit of Unsharp Mask, this is still a little blurry. What I'd like to know, is how the fuck did OG photographers focus on people in low-lit indoor situations? I mean, it's pitch fucking black practically, and you're trying to get a read on someone maybe moving around a bit and you keep moving that lens in and out and it all looks like mush. HOW DID THEY DO IT? Tell me Weegee, how did you get all those great nightlife shots (He did more than just shoot dead people, you know). I mean, did those photogs just close down that aperture and then jam on the flash? You know, so you get that greater depth of field with a smaller aperture and have to compensate with a much brighter flash, but I'm assuming you knew that already.

I need to ouija Weegee and get the lowdown.

(you see what I did there, right?)

Light and Ivy

2011-12-22T20:46:00.002-05:00

They gots it all over this city!

Oh, and it's that time of the season again. Of course, I'm talking about Bachfest on WKCR. It's running from now until New Year's, and it's nothing but ol' JS 24/7. Right now they're banging out Von Karajan's Brandenburgs. I remember once in Tower Records I was perusing one of the Passions and had Von Karajan's version in my hand. One of the guys who worked there walked up to me and took it out of my hand and said, "This is overblown shit. Here's the one you want," and put a different version of the same Passion in my hand."

"This one is 36 dollars," I said, putting down the CD. I picked up the Von Karajan version and said, "This one is 12. Give me overblown and cheap."

You know, I feel like I already told this boring story on this blog before. I'm afraid to look, since I probably did.

Yecch.

Fleas

2011-12-21T21:19:00.002-05:00

At the flea market:

Sometimes they look like skulls, sometimes they look like big stone penises. I don't know what the entomological classification would be.

I'm watching The Front for the first time in ages (despite the poster being up on my wall since 1994). Zero Mostel's suicide scene is something that's always stuck with me, even since childhood. It's one of the great scenes in cinema.

I have to go now. Howard Prince is testifying.

Unintended Double Exposure

2011-12-20T20:40:00.004-05:00

Featuring Washington Square Park in one, and Rat Bones in the other:

It turns out I like this more now than when I first realized I goofed. Upon closer examination, I really like this:

Pretty cool, eh?

I never thought an SOD shirt could look so good.

PVC Boyce

2011-12-19T18:21:00.004-05:00

Yet another view of the Boyce Institute, featuring some PVC pipes in the foreground:

I think I've just about run my course with the Boyce pictures. you know, I think I like this one a little, even with the pipes there.

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

Once again, I'm sure each of these words has appeared in this blog before, yet I'm pretty sure they never appeared in that order.

I give up.

Concrete Rows

2011-12-18T22:29:00.003-05:00

In Yonkers:

Yes, with more institute in the background. Will this Boyce Institute nonsense ever end? Who knows!

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

My own search of "urinal porn" turned up a whole lot of gay porn sites, but not this site (which isn't a gay porn site, which should be evident). Then again, if this were a gay porn site, I'd be getting a hell of a lot more hits.

Plywood and Ivy

2011-12-17T19:29:00.003-05:00

At a certain institute I've been posting picture of, as of late:

Wow, I actually posted a picture on a Saturday.

I have no idea where my brain is right now.

Big Tree

2011-12-16T22:23:00.003-05:00

And behind it, a big Boyce Institute:

Anybody getting the sense that I'm milking a roll that I shot a the Boyce Institute a while back and haven't been developing film lately? Well, I have been shooting, but it's been for more of a top secret kind of thing. I mean so top secret that I'm not going to be sharing it here. I'm not even going to be talking about it anymore. And no more teasing. Seriously. This is something I ain't talking about from now on so don't ask (seriously). But seriously, I have been chasing a shot lately. Actually more than lately, I've been chasing it for nearly a year I think, and still haven't gotten it. It's just that I've gotten a bit obsessed with getting it lately, and have been just chasing this one shot probably to the detriment of all my other work. I'm going to have to start branching out a bit again.

Just like that tree? Get it? You know, branching out? And there's a tree in the picture? A big tree?

SEARCH OF THE DAY:

What the hell man, what the hell. I just did the search and didn't see any of my photos come up. I'm not sure I'd ever say "gang bang." I'd probably say, "gangbang." Then again, when's the last time anybody ever used the word gangbang (or gang bang), or "orgy" to describe group sex? I mean, I don't think I've heard anybody say gang bang (or gangbang) since the great John Valby.

When I was younger and in my prime, I used to gang bang all the time.
But now I'm older and turning gray, I only gang bang once a day....

In the Weeds

2011-12-15T17:31:00.001-05:00

Stands an institute!

Better get more of that picture in that picture next time.

Boyce Balcony

2011-12-14T23:30:00.002-05:00

Though is it really a balcony if it doesn't overhang the building? What would that feature be called, excatly?

I almost feel like I posted this shot, though I did a search and I didn't see this one pop up.

By the way, listen to The Nick and Artie Show, like I am right now. I like it. Maybe you will too. I'm sure they don't need my endorsement, but why not?

Ichiban

2011-12-13T21:48:00.004-05:00

It's a Japanese word for something. I just can't put my foam finger on it....

There's something about this one I like. I'm not sure what I like about it. Hell, I'm not even sure why. But I like this one. Maybe it's the finger going into the eye (but not really).

SEARCH OF THE DAY:
Sometimes you learn things. For example, today I learned that horsehair is used as a binder in plaster.

What Niagara has to do with it I have no idea.

Northern Dispensary

2011-12-12T23:18:00.002-05:00

Facing East:

Okay, all caught up now. Maybe I'll take some time tomorrow to shake some chemicals around and see what develops.

SEARCH OF THE DAY:
Maybe not as good as "curcuncized," but if you were wondering where a certain someone lives, well...

Who knew!

Lounging

2011-12-12T16:28:00.002-05:00

In Washington Square Park:

Yep, raiding the archives again. Besides, I still owe you one more shot.

Dave Drinks While Sam Fingers

2011-12-11T19:37:00.005-05:00

Because you see, he has the miniature foam finger in his finger:

I owe you guys another shot.

After Opie and Anthony Live

2011-12-09T22:28:00.003-05:00

Live from the Hard Rock:

I like this shot. I like the look on Troy's face. I even like that Sam's arm is blocking Bobo's head, just leaving his Kamala painted frontside. It's a little known fact that when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, they were greeted by a guy from Long Island in Kamala makeup.

Seriously.

Matt (l) and Bobo (r)

2011-12-08T20:51:00.004-05:00

Yes, that's Intern Matt on the left, and Daniel "Bobo" Kurlan on the right. I've had Bobo's picture up here before, but also as a candid shot, not as a proper profile shot (which this isn't). It looks like everyone had a #1 Birthday sticker on that night (except for me. I was being a fancy boy in a cashmere sweater and I wasn't about to sticky it all up. Well, not with sticker adhesive, at least). The following week, Bobo was arguably the star of the Opie and Anthony Thanks For Nothing event at the Hard Rock. I have shots from there too. Maybe this is turning into a Sirius/XM Virus Channel, I mean, Opie and Anthony Channel photoblog after all...

East Side Dave

2011-12-07T19:44:00.002-05:00

Slightly blurred:

The overexposed hand needs a little help though.

So, you may ask yourself, is this turning into some kind of East Side Dave photoblog or something? When will he start posting boring pictures of NYC again? Will we have to put up with various Sirius/XM personalities from now on?

Who can tell Neil? I'm a strange guy.

Sam

2011-12-06T17:08:00.005-05:00

The last time I posted a picture of Primetime Sam Roberts I wasn't happy with the results. I think this one is much better. As you can see by the sticker on his shirt, he's at East Side Dave's #1 Party!! Yeah, I'm much happier with this shot than the other one. I'm not even providing a link to the previous shot, I'm so ashamed of it.

I'm thinking of starting a new feature here. Maybe I'll call it, "Search of the Day." I'm talking about what people put into a search engine to find this website, since sometimes I'm pretty shocked at what people are trying to find, or maybe I'm more shocked that they'd think I'd have what they're looking for. I think that has something to do with my sometime potty mouth that I use around here.

The latest one that caught my eye was this:

I'm not quite even sure where to start with this one, but I'm sure as shit that I haven't written "curcunsized" anywhere on this blog since I started it two plus years ago.

Yeah, I think this is definitely going to be a feature.

Green Lizard in Black and White

2011-12-05T16:34:00.002-05:00

From last year:

Though I only developed this film a month or two ago. But wait...I don't remember if I developed this before or after Roxy died, which was almost two months ago. I finally began to empty out his space. Last week I gathered up the fortitude to dispose of his pillows. Before I did so, I had to look at pictures I took of him on my phone just to remind myself that he actually existed (despite this monolith of an enclosure still standing in my apartment). It's amazing how quickly I've gotten used to not having to care for another living being in my apartment after doing so for over 14 years. Though it's hard not to check out the greens when I go to the grocery store.

So this is my second post for today, thus making up for missing on Saturday. What a lulu! No, there was no lulu, but I don't want to come off as lazy or anything...

Boris

2011-12-05T13:48:00.002-05:00

This is his second appearance here. Photo taken in the summer of 1999, at Todd's house in San Pedro:

I'm posting this to appeal to all of the cat lovers in my audience. I still owe you guys one more picture to get me up to speed.

Stroller

2011-12-04T18:58:00.004-05:00

If it works, it works, right? Gay Pride Parade, 2009:

I mean, if a urinal can be a fountain, why not? That's why the lady is a Duchamp! I'm not sure if I feel comfortable with the imagery of a black child behind bars. I should probably stop talking right about now.

PS, I owe you another picture.

Horsehair on Catgut

2011-12-02T23:18:00.002-05:00

Circa 1999-2001:

I've been reneging on my promises to develop lately. Not good.

You know, Bobby Fischer really let himself go at the end.

Hood Nap

2011-12-01T22:37:00.003-05:00

Circa 1999-2000, Manhattan:

And a closer view:

I think it would be easy to assume this gentleman is homeless and just happened to take a moment of repose on a car hood with all of his possessions in tow. Perhaps it's his car, and he just couldn't find the keys. Wouldn't you take a rest as well, especially if you had all that stuff with you?

Live Accompaniment

2011-11-30T20:29:00.003-05:00

That's how Dave rolled at the Number Ones birthday party!

Watching Patrice O'Neal's Elephant in the Room on Comedy Central right now. At least CC had the decency to show it. I've been on somewhat of a Patrice overload today. More comedians than I've ever heard in a single day all talking about him, reminiscing, laughing, sharing stories never told before...it was a fun but sad listen. You wish it wasn't necessary, yet it is.

Special thanks to ESD for the shoutouts today! The least I can do is share the link for The Stanley McDonald Fund. If you already know who Dave is, then you know all about the fund. If you don't, click the link, read a little, and if you have anything to give (and are so inclined), Dave and Casey surely would appreciate it. I mean, it's almost Christmas for crying out loud, if you're going to feel charitable for just a few days out of the year, why not help some nice people out for crying out loud.

Dave Sings While Sam Claps

2011-11-29T20:48:00.003-05:00

And some chick I don't know has her arms crossed in the background:

Patrice O'Neal died today. I never met the man, but I felt like I knew him. I guess all of us did who heard him on the radio, we who were made to laugh and think when he shared his insights on the world. He had a lot more to give, but his body betrayed him...betrayed us. Of course, it's selfish to say that we won't have his humor when his mother has lost her only son, his wife a husband, and his wife's daughter (not biologically his) a father. It's a sad thing to see great minds go at such a young age. I guess that doesn't really have to be said.

Goodnight big guy.

Greenpoint Pier

2011-11-29T00:10:00.003-05:00

Circa 1999-2000:

I wonder if this thing is still decrepit, or if it's now a Whole Foods. I don't get out that way so much anymore. Hell, I think it's been years since I was last in Greenpoint. Then again, why would I need to go there? I have everything I need right here in Manhattan.

Woody Allen never made a movie called "Brooklyn."

Okay, I'm almost caught up. I just have to post one picture in the next 23 hours and 45 minutes. I can do that, right?

Hmm....

Garbage Shot

2011-11-28T23:38:00.003-05:00

In Greenpoint, circa 1999-2000:

Speaking of garbage....wow. I'm getting sloppy. I'm still down a photo, not having posted one yesterday, so I'll get this one up now.

I'm refraining as hard as I can not to make a "getting it up" joke, but I did say "as hard as I can," so I don't even know anymore. I got nowhere near enough sleep this weekend, and am probably still a little on the short end there.

Gay and Waverly

2011-11-27T00:30:00.003-05:00

I think there's a light leak:

I mean, I've heard of flaming, but this is ridiculous. I mean, ridiculous like Aristophanes.

Only someone who's wasted their life in front of a TV set (like I have) will truly understand and appreciate that last sentence. I'll give you a hint though, if you were watching channel 11 in NYC on Thanksgiving Day you should know exactly what I'm talking about.

I owe you another one later today.

I Have No Idea

2011-11-25T23:07:00.002-05:00

Who these people were:

Well, the woman we saw yesterday, and this is the first we're seeing of this man, though he wasn't hte man who implored me to shoot the women. That man did not have his photo taken. I'm not really paying too close attention to Gigolos on the TV right now, I'm just waiting for Dave's Old Porn to come on. Tonight's episode features Seka and Jim Norton! That sounds like quality television indeed.

I Was Forced to Take Their Picture

2011-11-24T23:24:00.002-05:00

Well, not really "forced," but more like implored. Maybe strongly implored. A man who might have already had a few that evening told me that there were pretty girls I should be taking pictures of, and led me to these women whom I captured on film. As you can see, sometimes aiming a twin lens reflex camera in the dark isn't always the easiest thing to do (for me at least).

Okay, I'm distracted by part 2 of the Woody Allen documentary on PBS, I admit it.

East Side Dave

2011-11-23T23:12:00.003-05:00

On the mic:

I forgot what song he was doing here. Though my favorite detail of this photo are the miniature "#1" foam fingers that are sticking out of his jacket pocket, which he was giving to everybody in attendance. Later that evening, he was dolled up in a giant #1 outfit. Despite my foreknowledge of this, I left at midnight. I had miles to go before I slept that night. No, that's not true, I had miles to go early in the morning after I slept that night, so that's why I needed my sleep before my miles. Come to think of it, I could use some sleep right now.

Sweet Caroline

2011-11-22T17:57:00.002-05:00

Featuring East Side Dave (L) and Anthony Cumia (R)!

I'm going to have to take this one to the darkroom so I can properly burn in Anthony's face to make it a darker shade (Sorry about that Ant. But then again, I have seen Rotgut's "Live At The Apollo" album cover...), but for now, this will have to do.

Yes, this was taken at Dave's more ones than imaginable birthday party. Either way, I enjoyed myself, as I'd daresay most everyone else did too. Lotsa booze flowed that night, boy howdy.

And if you're wondering if more photos from this event will be posted soon....you'd be correct!

Tyler

2011-11-21T18:10:00.003-05:00

Taken in Dallas during the 1999 Recess Records tour. Tyler played in a band from Portland (Oregon, not Maine) called Berzerk. He was nice. They were all nice. I don't know whatever happened to those nice people, since I didn't bother to keep up. Maybe that wasn't so nice of me.

Yes, yet another day went by that I didn't develop any film. But at least I've been busy with other photographic pursuits, so it's not like I'm stagnant over here. I just have to get into the bathroom and get shaking mit der chemicals what whatnot.

Broken Busker

2011-11-20T20:24:00.003-05:00

In New Orleans, 1999:

I really have to get to developing.

I know, I know...

By the way, Haagen Dazs now has Peppermint Bark ice cream in stock at their stores. If you need me, I'll have my head in the freezer.

The Dark Tower

2011-11-19T17:54:00.001-05:00

Ooh, scary!

Yep, that's me hitting the archives...

Once Upon a Time

2011-11-18T17:36:00.003-05:00

It was occupied:

Nowadays, not so much (no photos taken by me as of yet).

I like the dude poking up at the bottom. I wonder if he got to finger any chicks in a tent while he was down there.