New York Daily Photo Analytics

Friday, March 04, 2011

The Real New York



One of my favorite childhood toys was the homemade periscope. With this, one could spy, i.e. see other people secretly in a candid state. Media often tries to provide a periscopic look at the world with the investigative report, the behind the scenes inside look and with programs like 20/20 or 60 Minutes.

We want to see people, places and things in their natural setting. We want it all and we want it unadulterated, unexpurgated, uncensored, uncut. We want to see what's behind the curtain or that closed door.

There is a New York City guidebook called Not For Tourists Guide to New York City and a little tome I really enjoy from 2002: City Secrets - New York City. There are numerous websites promising to show you the hidden side of New York City: forgotten-ny, vanishing new york, Lost City, Ephemeral New York, Undercity and Overheard in New York.

In this website, I have endeavored to show you New York City in as real a light as possible,
I am not a particularly private person and have revealed to you many aspects of my personal life, work, family, background and interactions with others as well as my personal perspectives and experiences in the city.

Whether visitor or native, we grasp at all the things promising to show us the secrets because we want to see the Real New York - unvarnished, unsanitized and uncolored by the Curse of Trade. The city we have read about, heard about, dreamed about and portrayed in film. We want to see what lurks behind the shadows and fog and experience The Real New York ...

Photo Note: this is a view looking south along East Broadway from the Manhattan Bridge. The two illuminated towers in the rear center are the Woolworth and Municipal Buildings. The photo effect was achieved using a Photoshop filter to remove the shadows and reveal all.

10 comments:

Isabel said...

Wow!!! Both beautiful.......a little more the first one!

Pedi said...

And it is so cool to see New York through your "eyes". A couple of minutes ago i said to my husband how nice it would/could be to live in NY :)

H and G said...

My wife and I are coming to New York for a week on March 16. This will be our sixth visit to New York since 2005.

I found your blog a couple of weeks ago while surfing for New York stuff and I am hooked! I like both your pictures and your writing. From my brief time here, I can say that you have shown a view of New York that is both nostalgic and inviting. I thank for your efforts.

jbworks said...

Brian... I continue to enjoy your perspective of the great city ... and the insights with your commentary. ciao jeremy

Unknown said...

First photo is brilliant! nice! :)

time traveler said...

Outstanding views of the city..captures all the hustle and bustle-the vitality,,all there..Thanks once again for capturing the texture, the feel of the city..

Karen said...

Beautiful New York. I know what's going to happen to me one day during a visit. I'm going to call my family and say, "I'm not coming back, just pack my stuff and send it to New York." All your faithful readers know that we'll always get the Real New York from you Brian!

Jack said...

The top photo is gorgeous, Brian, with the flow of lights below and the darkness above.

Anonymous said...

So very nice!

Alices och Lyras Bokhylla said...

First time I was in New York was in -99, as a toddler. Don't remember anything, of course. Second time was in october -09, and even though it was very little time and very much to see, it was one of my best experiences ever, and always will be. The thing I found weirdest about New York is that it actually looks and feels exactly as you think it will. And growing up in a tiny Swedish town like I do, it's sort of a relief coming to something so different from grey suburban everyone-knows-everyone to New York. There will always be something for everyone in that place. At some part of life I will move there.
I think I'll like your blog, and follow the best I can.

Lyra