I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving holiday.

Enjoy the leftovers!

This week I continued to head out with my 1.8 lens and search for interesting scenes in the low light of a mostly rainy week.

One of the things all New Yorkers know is that getting a cab in the rain can be tough.  The first shot is of some folks leaving a black tie event trying to get a cab around 10:30p.   In the distance you can see the new Highline Park winding through the scene.

The second shot is all about wondering why the new sidewalk ramp areas are so bright and bumpy - it would seem harder on a wheelchair - but i'm assuming it's like the rumble strips before a highway toll - suggesting anyone in a wheelchair slow down before crossing... 
They look like a large Lego mat and they work to make the scene a bit more interesting on a dreary day.

With all of the fancy features on today's cameras it is easy to lose sight of the speed of the lens - which is an important part of the photographic process.  Zoom lenses have proliferated leaving the once common f/1.8 a forgotten relic.

I've decided to use my 1.8 lens for a week and see what I could do.

These two images show what is possible with the street lights only.  The fire hydrant made me reflect on the rundown nature of some of the city's areas.  The yellow tree is something we all see when we stroll down the street - the streetlights backlighting the fall colors for a few weeks here.

Today my regular thoughts on what to send were pre-empted by an unexpected invite to a choice spot for the big parade at 1 Broadway.

The confetti and cheers were flowing and the streets were covered in the aftermath of it all.

A couple of famous new yorkers are in the photo below - and I suppose most of you will be able to ID the characters.  If you need a hint let me know.