New York Daily Photo Analytics

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Small Gestures

Many cite the popular minimalist refrain - less is more. And what better example than the small gesture.
These colorful origami boats in a puddle in yesterday's rain were the small gesture of an unknown hand. They garnered quite a bit of attention, as many of us circumnavigated their small ocean and observed them from many vantage points.
I don't like a rainy day. Until I have surrendered to the rain. Then I find it quite relaxing. When the mind is in the spirit of surrender and no longer rebels against the elements, you can fully embrace the rainy day. The sunny day is a distant memory and you can enjoy the impressions that a rainy day brings. Like a child who does not need to go to school on a snowy day, a rainy day gives permission to play and indulge in the small things we often miss or forget. This opportunity can be for a pause for reflection - a welcome moment of respite for the weary New Yorker.
I photographed in the rain with a friend until we were quite wet - few will make the effort at times like this when the weather is so dreadful. But this is when one can capture some very unique images.
New York city in the rain becomes transformed with everything cast in a different light. New opportunities abound for photos - a second city is created and with the wetness and everything familiar becomes new and unfamiliar in some way. But do not be so blinded by the great and spectacular things in New York that you miss the small gesture ...

14 comments:

Pat said...

Brian, I like this photo very, very much. And I like the idea of small gestures just as much. How very true that most of us don't take the time to notice small things, or to make small gestures.

An Honest Man said...

I agree. Rain does give a different perspective to what we photograph always assuming it doesn't blur the lens too much!

Brian Dubé said...

bibi, an honest man - thanks. the quality of this photo could have been much better. I took it with my point and shoot. I carry this nearly all the time when I don't have my regular camera.
Especially when it rains.

Anonymous said...

i love those colorful paper boats and the reflection of the light in the water

Chuck Pefley said...

Brian, a wonderful photo courtesy of some unknown creative. Thanks so much for the reminder of opportunities in all circumstances. Great illustration of this oft overlooked truth.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful color in this image!

crittoria said...

Great little boats. I'm glad that you took the time to enjoy the rain and photograph them for us. It seems like we're always so afraid to get wet, until we do and we realize it's actually quite fun!

Litsa Dremousis: said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Litsa Dremousis: said...

I love how you captured the light bouncing around in the middle of the puddle. And the boats seem like they might sail off the screen. What a gorgeous photo.

Loïc BROHARD said...

I am glad I found your blog via Paris Daily Photo, very instructive and inspiring to get good insight of the city. Long time I have not spent some time in the Big Apple, will need to think about it ! Thanks for sharing photos and text, Loic http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com
http://www.photo.net/photos/Loic Brohard

USelaine said...

What a blessed soul, whoever gave those to the street!

Grand Life said...

Great photo's. You didn't say where it was but for them to be undisturbed it must have been a park. I love the reflection in it.
Judyu

Diederick Wijmans said...

Simple city art! Wonderful colours!

Katie said...

"But this is when one can capture some very unique images.
New York city in the rain becomes transformed with everything cast in a different light. New opportunities abound for photos - a second city is created and with the wetness and everything familiar becomes new and unfamiliar in some way"

^I agree, and what a great find!