Thanks so much to everyone who came out for the For the Love of Brooklyn meet-up last Thursday evening! As planned, we all met up at the awesomely comic-book-themed Gotham City Lounge in Bushwick before embarking on a tour of the neighborhood, including Brewer’s Row and the brewmasters’ old mansions, beautiful old churches, and an interesting conversation (to say the least) with a tow truck driver. Check out a few of Kruger’s shots below from our pre-game meet-and-greet festivities, and find a bunch more in the Flickr pool! I’m sure you’ll also see some beautiful shots from the walk featured in the upcoming weeks…
Also, got an idea for an upcoming meet-up or neighborhood tour? Contact us here or tell us in the comments below!
While it’s no secret that the view of the Statue of Liberty from Brooklyn is nothing short of stunning (especially Sunset Park or Red Hook!), I must’ve missed the memo. Did you know there’s a replica at the Brooklyn Museum?!
I was recently there for one of the fantastic free First Saturdays, and turned a corner in the stairwell. There she was, peeking up at me from the parking lot. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped, because I had no idea she was there in the Sculpture Garden. And though the vision was definitely inspired, I couldn’t help but chuckle and recite:
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to park for free.”
Peter’s post last week reminded me how much I enjoy shooting in Gowanus, and exploring the area’s unique charm and subculture. These shots are from a recent late fall / early winter trip I took to the area to shoot at night. Gotta love Gowanus. Click on each panorama if you’d like to see it bigger!
It was fun meeting up at Gotham in Bushwick last night. It felt like a secret base hidden below the JMZ. Now all we need is a tough sounding name for our photo-gang.
In my opinion, one of the more satisfying things to do in Brooklyn is go for a long late-night walk and enjoy the solitude of a borough at rest. Soft light filters through brownstone windows, can collectors push their heaving carts through the streets, and the sidewalks rest peacefully. Lately, however, the cold has been bracing and bitter, and I’ve had little motivation to roam or risk frostbitten fingers.
So tonight, I’m excited for a great excuse to bring out the gear with some fellow For the Love of Brooklyn photographers! As promised, here are the details of our first photo meet-up, and please come join us TONIGHT if you’d like!
Place: Gotham City Lounge
Address: 1293 Myrtle Ave (map)
Time: 7:45pm
See you there, and have a great week!
When I think of places I love to shoot in Brooklyn, one of the first areas that comes to mind is Gowanus. Gowanus used to be a major point of industry for Brooklyn thanks to its canal, but now the majority of that industry has left. With the flight of the industry, the area was left decrepit. In addition, the high levels of pollution have led this area to acquire the Superfund designation. There has been some rebirth in the area over the past few years. More and more artists studios are popping up, and more businesses are moving in. There is even a great concert venue right by the Carroll St Bridge that holds shows in the summer. All of this adds up to a very interesting place that is a pleasure to photograph. If you haven’t done so already, take a trip down to the Gowanus canal and bring your camera, you won’t be disappointed. This first picture here was a big one for me personally; it has had significant influence on subsequent photos I’ve taken. It was taken on the first night I took photos in Gowanus.
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Lately with my photography, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting, and not only in my work (as in the shot below of Atlantic Avenue). It’s interesting to take a step back and see how much this passion has been redefining and shaping my life for the last 2+ years. I feel I’m at an intersection of sorts, caught between the digital and film worlds… and don’t even get me started on elements of style.
But what I do not question is the wonderful community that we have started to build here at For the Love of Brooklyn. The photographers I’ve met, the passionate folks I’ve spoken with, the artistic borough that supports and kindles our passions — all of this is wildly inspiring. And to that end, I’m really excited to announce that we are beginning an ongoing series of photo meet-ups in Brooklyn!
If you’d like to participate, please be in touch either via Flickr or via the Contact page here on the blog — we’ll send you details, and the first meetup begins later this week! Stay tuned for more details…!
As Peter said, it was cold as hell in Coney Island Thursday night. So cold my freshly charged battery died after 4 shots. I think I need to get a new battery to keep warm in my pocket. With 30mph winds and temperatures near zero, my battery wasn’t the only one dying. It was kinda creepy to be the only people out in Coney Island with the near full moon. The wind was creating a sand/garbage storm that made this shoot feel a bit like warfare. Get in, get your shots and get out alive.
During this week’s Feature Fridays, we’re excited to bring you Claire Voelkel, whose recent black and white film work amazes and inspires us, especially in the unique way she sees light. Claire took some time this week to answer some of our questions, and we’re extremely grateful for her insight and thoughtfulness. Check out the interview below!
Make sure to check out her Flickr photostream here!
For the Love of Brooklyn: We see Brooklyn all over your work – where do you live? Where are your favorite places to shoot?
Claire Voelkel: I live in Park Slope, though I rarely shoot there. Instead I love to walk west through Gowanus and over the 3rd Street bridge – possibly my favorite spot in Brooklyn. Beyond that I adore DUMBO, the bridges, the steps of the Brooklyn Museum and Coney Island when it’s cold and deserted. Actually, let’s face it, there are few parts of Brooklyn I don’t love.
LoB: What brings you inspiration?
CV: I was always surrounded by photography growing up. I considered my dad’s Leicaflex to be my untouchable little brother- it got almost as much attention and affection as I did. A few years ago my father went digital and passed on his camera to me. My ‘little brother’ has been with me and inspiring me every day since. Together we are constantly drawn to diagonal lines, light and shadow, crosswalks, reflections and stairs. We love to go to museums and capture how people interact with art and architecture. As an only child, I’m finally realizing the benefits of having a little brother.
LoB: Your recent work has been primarily film-based and self-developed. What do you find satisfying about the analog medium? Any advice for digital photographers transitioning to film?
CV: Advice? Yes, do it! And prepare to be revolutionized! I strongly feel that analog and digital photography are two separate mediums. They both have incredible benefits and rewards. From the digital world we learn to be rebellious, to take risks, to stretch our ways of thinking and to see compositions as something flexible and transformative. I think once you’ve explored the digital world to the point that you know well your own style, making the switch to analog is invaluable in really fine tuning your sense of composition and thoughtfulness. Particularly when you do your own developing and printing and are involved in the beauty of the entire process (and can revel in those darkroom smells), you are very aware when out with your camera that every press of the shutter is a thoughtful decision, a conscious statement about how you see the world.
LoB: You’re also an accomplished knitter! [ed. note: Check out her knitting blog here!] What is it about fiber arts that brings you satisfaction? Is it similar in practice to photography?
CV: There’s nothing nicer than getting some colorful yarn in your hands after a stressful day at work. It’s a great way to unwind and it’s so satisfying to actually create things that bring warmth and cheering to others. I actually think the two practices are quite different though. Whereas knitting gives me time to relax and relish in the comfort of a pattern and the quiet of home, photography gives me time to hit the streets, create my own rules and relish in the vibrancy of the city.
LoB: What’s the craziest photo story you have while shooting in NYC?
CV: Hmm, I don’t know that I have any particularly crazy stories but I certainly do have a favorite one. Back when I was taking my first photography class, our professor gave us an assignment to approach and take portraits of strangers. This wasn’t exactly within my comfort zone and I spent many an hour on the street unsuccessfully building my nerve. On one such occasion as I was hanging out on a street corner on the Lower East Side, a man jokingly yelled to me, “Hey baby, it’s my birthday. Come over here and take my picture!” He had no idea what a favor he did me. Gotta love New York!
Thanks so much to Claire for the interview, and have a fantastic weekend!
Scenes from a Coney Island Thursday night. Since neither Matt nor I have been shooting in Brooklyn at night recently, we decided to take a drive to Coney Island. We really underestimated the wind. It was about 20 degrees out, but close to zero with windchill. We didn’t last long in that weather (mainly on account of the sand flying into, and getting stuck in the cracks of the lenses and camera gear), but a few photos were snagged before mother nature got the better of us.
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 by Jill
tags: events