Coney Island Enjoyed

Here are some shots of Coney Island taken on the same day as the Mermaid Parade, that could however, be almost any day.

A busy day at the famous Nathan's for hot dogs.



On the boardwalk. Nice belly dude.



This big dog was a hit with all sorts of passersby. People's reactions were quite entertaining. I thought it was a nice moment.

Last of the Mermaids

Here are some shots of other people that were hanging out in the staging area.

Here's the guy off to the side staring at all of the women. Despite his intentions, I liked the set up with the painted wall behind him.



This little boy is anxious to get the parade going.



More people coming in with their props.



This was a very typical scene with the girl surrounded by photographers. This was one of the more tame versions of the scene.



This is what was happening outside on the street as people gathered early to get a good spot.

Mermaid Parade Characters

Here are some more shots from the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. This is a collection of individuals I encountered in the staging area or in line.

Loved the eyelashes!



You couldn't miss this guy!



More fun with the Cyclone in the background. A very disturbing Ronald McDonald.



A few more preparation shots.





There's even more to come, so stay tuned!

Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2008

I ventured to Coney Island on Saturday to document the Mermaid Parade with oh...about a zillion other people. I paid my $5 camera fee and ventured into the staging area. This was the jackpot for photos and what I imagine it would be like to be a real deal press photographer. I had to jockey for position, duck, bob, weave...I kinda felt bad for the real press with all of us in there too, but what are you gonna do? Here are some shots of the preparation taking place.

The line to check in.



This poor mermaid wasn't enjoying her time in line with all the cameras and the heat. Trying to cut the edge...



Most people didn't mind the photos...some really didn't mind!



Amateurs, professionals and even other participants all crowded in for the shot.



I loved this angle with the Cyclone in the background.



I wish the light was a little better here, but like this shot.



The wide angle works with this bizarre scene.



I took heaps, so look for more posts soon.

High School Gone Wild

Last weekend I went to Beacon, NY for an art show with some friends. One of them has a friend that has a studio in an old high school up there that has been converted to artist studios. It was so fun to walk the halls with the added distractions of all of the art. A slice of heaven on earth.

I was obsessed with the lockers...some still in use!



This shot I think shows the marriage of the school and the artist inhabitants.



Inside the friend's studio. It says "I was bored before I even began."

Dead Horse Bay

Our latest adventure led us out to Dead Horse Bay in Brooklyn. The history behind this place is that the refuse from horse rendering plants and garbage of the 1920s and 1930s was deposited here when it was a landfill. The land was later filled over with sand to connect the mainland and Barren Island. Overtime, this has begun to erode away, exposing the remnants of the past. The beach is filled with mostly bottles, but some old shoes, rusted equipment and tools from days long gone can also be found. You can't help but create stories in your head of the previous owners and consumers of these things as you stroll through the historic trash.













The old beverage bottles were quite interesting. There were the classics like Coke, Pepsi and 7-Up, but I might have to research some of the more obscure ones we found.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Recently we took an adventure to Philly to check out the Eastern State Penitentiary. This is the preserved ruins of a prison built in 1829 where the concept of solitary confinement was introduced (until overcrowding). The complex was in operation until 1972 when it was abandoned. It's a photographer's paradise and we were there on a cloudy dreary day that just added to the mood and mystery.





This is actually death row.










This is the prison where Al Capone served time when things weren't going well back in Chicago. He had a plush cell compared to the others, but oddly enough none of us could get a good shot of it. Perhaps he didn't want us to.