There are phenomenon in New York City which are the result of the unique confluence of numerous factors - population density, large ethnic groups with their cultural traditions and what I perceive as a certain lawlessness and laissez faire attitude regarding victimless crimes in New York.
It’s really a question of numbers. Any densely populated city affords opportunities not found elsewhere. For example, there is always some need for emergency umbrellas with the onset of an unexpected downpour, but only a place like Manhattan will offer enough potentiality to actually buy umbrellas, set up on the street and make it a venture - see my post, Opportunity, with photo of a street umbrella salesman in a rainstorm. Read the rest of this entry »

Yet another shuttering for 7th St–the Vintage Outlet is having a closing sale:

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America’s image is synonymous with self-empowerment. However, even in the land of opportunity, there are reasonable limits on what a person can do. It is unlikely that a person in their 40s can become a competitive gymnast or someone with an average GPA will get into Stanford University and become a research physicist. The idea that you can be or do anything in the USA is oversold. Most of the late night self improvement televangelists are just not being honest. The world is built on the backs of ordinary people, working hard and doing ordinary things. Starting a business and entrepreneurism is something in your blood. A workshop or book will not turn a company man or woman into business tycoon. And that’s good - someone has to do the heavy lifting and keep the engine of our country operating.
Photography is a field where making a living is quite difficult, particularly if one wants to find work other than weddings or functions. There has been criticism of photography educational programs - very few graduates will ever make a living working in the field. And to sell substantial amounts of work is not a small achievement.
However, it is good to think outside the box and not take the advice of naysayers and self defeatists to heart. And for the driven, ambitious, talented and tireless self promoter, the land of opportunity and streets paved with gold does exist. has leveraged his skill set quite well.
I happened across a new gallery of photographer Peter Lik in the heart of SoHo by accident and was drawn in by what appeared to be work of extraordinary craftsmanship and detail. Read the rest of this entry »

In just the past five years, Carroll Gardens has undergone the same super-gentrification that almost every other New York City neighborhood has. Court Street is filled with loud people on cell phones and stores selling baby things that look like space-age torture devices.

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Miracles do happen! Armando’s of Brooklyn Heights, which I visited before its closure a year ago, will be reopening in the same spot. Now if only that neon sign can come back, too. [Gothamist]

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NAVIGATION NOTE: Each of the images below are linked to the original posting.
Yesterday was the third anniversary of New York Daily Photo - 953 postings and thousands of photos! I have put together a collage of 48 photos from the last 12 months, featuring many favorite postings of mine and visitors to this site. I have assembled as wide a spectrum of photos as I have on this website - street life, parades, architecture, food, vistas, art, music, nature, local businesses, the unusual, the hidden and whimsical. In the last year, I have provided a more personal view in many of my writings, with this site becoming not only a window to New York City, but a window into my soul as well and how I see the city, with stories and anecdotes from my life both here and and outside of New York. Thanks to all of you for visiting. Read the rest of this entry »

Remarkably, in response to my WalMart nightmare, a number of people have commented that they welcome WalMart to the city and what’s wrong with it because it’s such a helpful store. To those who believe that WalMart is anything but evil, please take a look at this website. And see the movie if you can.

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Snow mounds in New York City are like shag carpeting in a cheap motel - better not look too deep inside, because the contents are not pleasant at all. And no need to, because soon, when melted, all will be revealed.
To some, mounds of snow appear to be a good place to discard all manner of trash and for their dogs to do any business. As if somehow the refuse will take on the properties of snow and melt along with it or perhaps, seeing dirty piles of snow as sanctioned trash receptacles, permitting them to add to it incrementally.
Whatever the case, when snow accumulates in this city (and it does from time to time) and is shoveled and plowed, remaining piles can become temporary embalming sites.
For a time, dirty mountains of snow become temples for garbage. Trash pickups are reduced by the city and street sweeping delayed until snow is gone. Bags of garbage accumulate to adorn the mountains of dirty snow.
Just as autumn leaves require certain conditions for optimal fall foliage color, ideal conditions for large captures within snow temples also exist - amount of snow, length of time on the street, temperatures during various periods with adequate time where the snow is soft enough to swallow and entomb any trash deposited on it. A nice freeze gives the whole thing the aura of secret treasure until the days of melting. I’m reminded of the 50 cent secret prize of childhood that you could order, guaranteed to be of greater value than 50 cents. That prize, unlike the treasures entombed in the gray snow temples of New York City, was worth waiting for Read the rest of this entry »

Along with frozen yogurt joints, the East Village has been overwhelmed by ramen noodle shops. Ramen shops are the new banks–one on every corner. And now another one is coming…to the corner long occupied by Love Saves the Day.

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What do yunnies do when you give them a bailout? They spend thousands on champagne brunches in the Meatpacking District, then dump the champagne all over themselves. “Its like, ‘What recession?’” says one. And who’s financing it? You are. Says another, If youd asked me in October, Id say itd be a different situation, and I dont think Id be here. Then the government gave us $10 billion. [NYT]

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