DSLR Practice Time!

This past weekend I decided to head down to the southwest corner of Central Park in NYC to get some DSLR practice. The photos I enjoyed the most have been digitally water colored and are displayed below. I’ve added a few words to link them together- but it’s all conjecture.

Enjoy.

As I walked into the park from Columbus Circle on this brisk spring afternoon, I wondered what might draw others to the park on a day like today. It wasn’t particularly warm, and there weren’t too many flowers or out just yet. Most leaves at this point are still cellular specks inside knobs on a branch.

My first thought was that most people would come to the park for the nature. Central park being the great escape from the concrete wonderland that is Manhattan. And from the squirrels to the newly blooming flowers- the park is a natural haven for an otherwise forgotten natural world.

Of course, not all flowers can be winners.

As you can see, this set of blooming flowers is quite popular this time of year. Not to mention its close proximity to Columbus Square. The grass can barely gain traction with the constant hammering of leather and rubber from above. I made an observation: most of the people in this section of the park did not seem to be coming here to admire the flowers- but rather to take their photo with the flowers.

Instagram is quite the powerful force.

Umpire Rock

As I made my way further into the park, I began approaching Umpire Rock. One of my favorite spots in NYC, and one of the first places I ever visited in the city. It holds a special place in my heart. Turn one way, and you’re surrounded by trees and fields. Turn the other, and you have a magnificent view of skyscrapers rising above, not unlike crayons peeking out of a box.

The part of Umpire Rock that faces the city is always crowded with a sea of people standing, taking photos, and having their moment in New York City. Go a little deeper to the rocks that hide midtown, and you’ll find a more leisurely pace. Sitting and catching your breath is the norm here.

Across from this rock was a blooming landscape.

A place where the dominance of humanity and a small field, reminiscent of an untamed past, can share a stage together.

In many ways, much like the street, the rocks emphasize our waste. Sometimes beautifully.

Sheep Meadow

Another favorite location of mine is Sheep Meadow. Especially for people watching. It was here that I started to doubt that people were venturing to the park on a brisk afternoon just to enjoy nature. They made the trek in order to enjoy each other.

Bottles of wine seemed to be standard among the picnic-going public.

There were plenty of sporting activities happening too. Although most people did not seem to be coming to the park to play, the ones who did seemed passionate and, above all, confident.

Something tells me this rock is often occupied. And that they knew I was taking their photo. oops.

Among the camaraderie was the lone bookworm. I’ve been to this exact spot to read before. Something about being surrounded by it all, with fresh air whisping around you in the shade, makes it a little easier to read.

Failure and Triumph

Giving up is easy.

I caught this instructor packing up his training hoverboard after one of the students in the background had fallen. They weren’t hurt. But they were defeated.

I couldn’t help but wonder what led them to defeat.

Maybe they weren’t really interested in learning how to hoverboard anyway. Maybe learning something new isn’t enjoyable- at least not as much as it used to be. Or maybe it was just time to call it a day. It was Sunday after all.

Just up the road there was triumph. A small DJ with their equipment propped up on a cardboard box. Playing music for a group of older, yet extremely energetic rollerbladers.

Golden Hour

I left the park for a moment to grab a warm coffee in order to counter the chilly air.

Along my path, I changed my mind about why people might come here once again. My final judgement was that yes- many people come to the park to admire nature, to get a good Instagram picture, to learn something new, to play a sport, or to picnic with friends.

Yet the further I wandered into the heart of the park, those groups seemed to fade away to reveal the intimate. Groups of 2 or 3, holding one another in silence. Spring puppy loves and long-joined hearts sit nearby one another. A child shares a moment with their parent.

A dog runs to get the ball.

P.S.

Copyright 2023. Benji Arrigo. Email me at ben@arrigolighting.com if you want to license any of these photos.

I hope you enjoyed this Photo Journal entry. To reward you for making it to the end, see the Watercolored outtake below. I didn’t notice it until I was editing.