New York Daily Photo Analytics

Monday, July 26, 2010

At Least It's Water


In Back to Our Main Feature, I wrote that "the gifts nature bestows and the power she wields often feel secondary in a city like New York." Often, however, does not mean always, and even in the Big Apple, Mother Nature can show a dominant hand and deal a heavy blow - particularly, summer heat. As with other areas of the country, this summer has set all time records. Nothing is more oppressive than summer in the city - ambition to do anything withers in the blistering heat.

I had a friend that went to school in Miami, Florida. I asked how anyone could tolerate summers there. He assured me that no one spends time or walks outdoors - all human movement is from one air conditioned environment to another - car, store, home etc. The problem in New York City is that everything you do involves some walking. Even getting a taxi means standing in the street, sometimes with no success.

Subway platforms, although underground, offer no respite. They are subterranean infernos. The asphalt streets are like beds of lava, conducting heat to all who dare to stand on them. Tree shaded streets are few, and we walk in the shadows of buildings if the time of day is right.

Virtually everyone I have spoken to has had the same solution - stay in during the day, go out in the evening (if at all), and wait the heat wave out. Even in this fast paced city, where residents are undaunted by virtually anything, summer heat is suffocating and its effects visible everywhere and affecting virtually everything - shopping habits, work, and recreation.

For those who do not leave the city, heading for water is one solution, but New York City has few options. Sprinklers are sometimes mounted on fire hydrants for children. The beaches of Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway are popular. For those who do not live nearby, you could travel there, given that you are willing to make the long journey and be accompanied by (literally) a million other relief seekers. Buses are also available to places such as Jones Beach.

In Washington Square Park, the newly renovated fountain has been a water park both day and night for adults and children, with spectators sitting around the fountain's edge, watching the aquatic antics and cooled by overspray.

Lincoln Center's fountain (in today's photo) lures people in all year, and although immersion is not an option here, no matter how real or illusory its cooling effect is, at times like this, at least it's water...

14 comments:

Rolando said...

Nice job!

Brian Dubé said...

Thanks - and look at the other postings on fountains.

Unknown said...

Brilliant shot!

Naomid said...

Really beautiful shot!

Lianne said...

fantastic shot!

An Honest Man said...

A very artistic (commercial!) photograph.

Boom Nisanart said...

Very Very Cool shot !

Everyday Melbourne

Lisergic Synaesthesiae said...

Great composition.
Love the silhouettes standing on this frozen sculpture of shining water.
And the b/w choice perfectly works!

Sarah said...

This is a great image! I love the people silhouetted against the water. If it is as hot there as it is here the water is very inviting.

Anonymous said...

nice that they have a fountain there now...i lived right down that main street for a while...interesting area.

Joanne said...

Beautiful moment here... the heat here has cooled down a bit at last!!

X!ne said...

Beautiful image!

You gotta come out to Queens and see the renovation of the fountain/pool around the Unisphere statue in Flushing Meadow Park. Spectacular day or night.

Brian Dubé said...

X!ne - I did not know they redid it! I posted on the Unisphere some time ago - did u see it?
http://newyorkdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009/02/remembering.html

I was at the World's Fair in 1964 - it was wonderful.

Anonymous said...

My mom kept photo albums from before my birth until now and there's one photo of my very young mom and dad standing in front of the Unisphere when they visited for the 1964 World's Fair. All of my childhood, my mom would talk about going to that world's fair so I think it's really cool that coincidentally I now find myself living a short bike ride away.

They just officially opened the fountains again last week. I'd seen the Unisphere a few times this summer without the fountains and was still impressed but the day I went and a saw the fountains on, I stopped and gaped in awe.

You have to see it; beautiful! On until 10pm...wondering how it would look with a full moon.

Xine