FlipGloss Magazine contacted me and asked if I would be a photography contributor for their magazine. Hell Yes! Here is a NYC travelogue feature which I wrote that went live today.
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Today I went to Katz’s Deli. This Jewish kosher style delicatessen was established in 1888. This is where Meg Ryan had the fake orgasm, ‘I’ll have what she’s having’, scene in ‘When Harry met Sally’. This place is also famous for its hot dogs and pastrami sandwiches. Each week, Katz’s serves 5,000 pounds of corned beef, 2,000 pounds of salami and 12,000 hot dogs. I had the American institutional dish – Philly cheesesteak which is so bad for you but so so delicious.
I was waiting for a train today and this guy starts pacing up and down the track singing high pitched R&B at the top of his voice and doing all sorts of hand movements. Quite entertaining. I hesitated taking the shot for a while because I wasn’t sure whether he would sing to me or beat me up if he caught me.
Some NYC bars’ bathrooms have guys servicing them. They do jobs like hand you paper towels (because clearly it’s something you’re incapable of doing yourself) and sell you products like mints, gum, cigarettes and sprays of cologne. I know this is common in many other cities but I’m not too keen on having someone watch me pee and pay for services I don’t need.
Shot taken at The Dressing Room.
No not me! I was in the police station today making a report and this kid gets dragged in all cuffed up. I pounced on the opportunity and secretly fired off a shot. 10 minutes later a 13 year old, half the size of this kid, gets dragged in because he was fighting other kids with a razor blade. Crazy times we live in.
Sometimes I forget I’m not home anymore. I would then look down the street and see miles of endless buildings and the realisation hits me like a slap in the face, I am in New York City.
A common street scene in East Village.
Another busy weekend exploring this city’s diverse offering.
> Owned by Tim Robbins, the Back Room is housed in an actual Speakeasy during the prohibition days.
The entrance is disguised by a toy store that says “Lower East Side Toy Company“.
> Alcohol is served in tea cups and paper bags.
> This is Ojay who hosted a party at Happy Ending – This place used to be an erotic massage parlour.
Hence the name.
> One of the steam rooms from Happy Ending’s former life.
> The milk man outside Happy Ending.
> Santos Party House is where you will find Q-Tip from Tribe Called Quest as resident DJ on Friday nights.
Classic & dance floor hip hop mixed with soul and funk.
> Floor suddenly clears and breakdancers start to bust their moves.
> A fight breaks out during one of the battles.
> From the battle of the dance moves to battle of the creative minds. Cut&Paste is an international design tournament. 2D/3D/Motion designers are given a topic like ‘predicting the future’ and have 20mins to battle it out in front of an audience.
I traded this guy a ciggarette for a photo.
Today was all business. First I met with the associate creative director of SYRUP – one of the hottest creative agencies right now in NYC. Then I visited the TBWA TEQUILA NYC office. TEQUILA was where I spent the last 3 years of my life in Australia so it was good to catch up with our US conterpart. You will see the receptionist hiding – this is because he didn’t want to be seen hungover after a massive night. We’re talking 4pm here!
> Meet Aramique Associate CD of SYRUP.
> TBWA TEQUILA NYC office.
I was fortunate enough to be taken on an ‘insiders’ tour of the United Nations. The feeling of awe was overwhelming to be within such a monumental establishment of significance. While lunching in the dining hall, it was interesting to hear all the different accents concentrated within one place.
> Outside the United Nations building.
> The General Assembly hall
> The following 2 photographs are of a scuplture carved from Ivory. A gift to the UN from China before the Ivory trade was banned. The detail on this thing is amazing.
> One of many meeting halls within the UN building.
So today was St Patricks day. I guess you’ve all heard of it. Unexpectedly, I became part of the experience, entangling into and untangling myself out of mammoth crowds. The experience was seeing seas of green and pale skin, hearing cheers and swears, smelling bagels and hot dogs, feeling excitement and tasting Guiness of course! Even though chaotic, it was great to see a large community joyfully celebrating their culture with many other communities. I am certain there will be many sore heads tomorrow.
This past weekend was spent roaming the streets of Manhatten and Brooklyn at night, journeying from one venue to the next. Here are some street/bar/people shots. As of today I have been in NYC for 1 month. My how time flies. I am so glad I took up this photography project. Not just for the memories but for the many interesting people I’ve met, me behind the camera and them behind the photo. Everyone has a story to tell and are all more than eager to share it – all you need to do is ask nicely.
Today I saw my first squirrel. We stared at each other and shared a moment. I have never seen anything go through a nut as fast as this animal.
Last night I went to a fashion networking event organised by fashion designer twins To-Tam & To-Nya.
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