New York Daily Photo Analytics

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Get Your Doing Done

I had a close friend who was extremely neurotic and driven. Often, when discussing options for plans with others, one could see his impatience and edginess growing. Once, I recall speaking to him on the phone in the early evening. He was already finished with his plans for that night. When I expressed surprise, he said that if he was going to do something, "I like to get my doing done." He appeared to be turning recreation into a job guided by an efficiency engineer.

This website was inspired by Eric Tenin, who started Paris Daily Photo in 2005. The original concept was to share daily life, one photo per day. New York Daily Photo, however, has metamorphosed over time.

There is merit to the original concept, however, everyday life is filled with routine, and I did not want this site to become a tribute to the mundane without some special or personal ingredient added. The TV series Seinfeld, which purported to be a show about nothing, was really quite more than that. Although, on the surface, many of the plot elements were about the trite and trivial, without cleverly crafted comedic writing, plot twists, surprises and great characters, a show that is truly about nothing would bore audiences to tears and never survive.

Today, I left home for the office earlier than usual. For those who are early risers, the streets in the early morning are a special and pleasant time. There is the freshness of a new day, construction workers toiling away. In New York City, this is also a time where photo shoots and filming can often be seen on the streets - there is good light and the streets are less crowded. And best of all, for those who are so inclined, there is comfort in knowing that by starting the day early, there will be plenty of time to get your doing done :)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE your blog! I have never been to NYC but I am visiting (vicariously!) through you. When I do get there (and I will), I will see the city differently than a "normal" tourist would! Thanks for the time you take to photograph New York and, especially, to write about it!

Unknown said...

Brian, you have a great ear for phrases. (It goes without saying that you have a great eye.) And a great memory.

Good observation here. My husband is definitely on your side about early morning. It's part of what makes our life tohether so difficult.

Caity Rose said...

great writing on this entry. I love it, and you've almost motivated me to go out early in the morning here in DC :)

Bonnie said...

I love the way that your blog has "metamorphosed over time." I, too, visit NYC vicariously every day and the experience broadens my Midwest perspective tremendously. Thanks, once again.

Anonymous said...

My boss is a person like your neurotic & driven friend. She manages all aspects and projects in her life in same manner she manages her work. «I like to get my doing done.» fits so perfectly with her that it brought a giggle to my throat as I read your story. Thanks !

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that, of the nine people in the top photo, three of them have their arms folded and do not appear to be doing much of anything, two people seem to be supervising the cameraman who is sitting down on his job, two in the background are having some kind of conversation while between tasks, and the person behind the equipment is completely obscured so we can't tell whether they are doing anything or not. Nice work, if you can get it. But, then, I suppose all this just means they got their doing done, doesn't it?

Keep up the great work, Brian. I thoroughly enjoy my daily visits to NYC through your capable guidance and vision.