Polaroid #20 - Port Authority & NEW BLOG

Adieu, dear readers! Thank you for much for following the blog all this time. It was truly a great experience for my first blog! Please keep spreading the word about this blog and check out my new blog!

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MY NEW BLOG! - Sleep Is For the Weak

I'm collaborating with my friend and fellow blogger Mara (I mentioned her in an earlier post). You can check out her blog at tumblr. The blog is about a sleep experiment Mara and I will be doing over the break. With all the work and studying to do and fun we want to have, we find it hard to get everything done during the short days. Our solution is simple don't sleep or rather don't sleep at normal standards. The blog will be updated daily on both blogspot and tumblr. Check it out!

Another cool blog that I'm involved in is Emerson College's Research Writing Medellín Project.  It's a collaboration or Emerson students, Duke students, and Colombian artists to create peace through art in Medellin, Colombia.

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People waiting in line at the Port Authority Bus Terminal

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

The line was wicked long for the NYC to Boston buses. Since there is such a big crowd during the holidays, the Greyhound/Peter Pan buses just run buses all day instead of having actual schedules buses. It was so INTENSE!

Polaroid #19 - Port Washington Train Station

Readers, we are very close to the end. Thank you for following the blog. Please continue to spread the word.

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Port Washington, Long Island Train Station

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

To tell you the truth, I ran out of time to take more pictures in the actual city, but this one turned out pretty cool.

Polaroid #18 - "next to normal" sign

Readers, thank you for following the blog. Please keep checking daily and don't forget to spread the word. Comments are appreciated!

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The sign for the musical, "next to normal", outside of the theatre.

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

This musical was featured on NPR and I almost went to see it when I was in New York.  I chose "Hair" instead, but I think I'll see "next to normal" next time I'm in New York.

Polaroid #17 - Food Stands

Readers, I am forever in your debt. Thank you for checking the site and spreading the word. Please don't be afraid to comment.

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Sabret's and Nuts4Nuts Stands

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Both of these stands are staples int he city. I throughly enjoyed the coconut from Nuts4Nuts. If you are in New York, you absolutely have to try the vendor food.

Polaroid #16 - Radio City

I am very thankful to all of my readers.  I appreciate your daily visits and efforts to spread the word about the word. Comments are always lovely.

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Radio City Music Hall

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Iconic Radio City all decked out for Christmas. Surprisingly, this landmark did not make my original list of places and things I wanted to photograph.

Polaroid #15 - Time & Life

Readers, thank you for following the blog and please continue to show your support by checking the blog daily and spreading the word to your friends and family. I LOOOOOOVE comments!

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Time and Life Building

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Both publications are prominent and world renown. Plus, I didn't know this place existed, so I thought it was a great find.

Polaroid #14 - Lady Liberty

Readers, thank you kindly for following my blog. I'd be much obliged if you continue to stop by daily and keep telling everybody about the blog. Comments are most welcome.

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This past Saturday, I attended an end of the year party hosted by Robin Erb Skincare.  You should check out Robin Erb's website for great beauty tips and her products.

Picture taken from the Robin Erb Skincare Facebook Group

I was invited to the event by my friend, Mara Martin.  Mara's blog is a great place to find interesting travel and beauty tips, funny, witty, and cute pics and videos.

Taken from Mara's blog

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 View of the Statue of Liberty from the New York Shore

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

The monument is the most left object in the frame. The big statue looks surprisingly small on the Polaroid.  A different perception of "Liberty".

Polaroid #13 - Ground Zero

Please excuse my tardiness, dear readers! Thank you for reading my blog and please continue to check in.  Please spread the word and remember that comments are LOVE.

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The construction site of the memorial for 9/11

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

I've always wanted to see Ground Zero and I think not visiting the site would be a mistake.

Polaroid #12 - The Metropolitan Museum

Readers, thank you for following! Keep checking everyday between 3 pm - 6 pm EST for a new post and keep spreading the word! Comments = <3

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 The Met

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

One of the many infamous hang-outs of the Gossip Girl gang. I had hoped that they would be shooting, but I still got a nice pic. 

Polaroid #11 - Central Park

Thank you readers! As promised, here is a new post on time. Please keep checking the blog everyday from 3 PM - 6 PM EST. And please keep spreading the word.  Comments = LOVE <3

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Central Park

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Famous for romantic strolls and carriage rides. This photo was the first of my second pack.  Night was falling fast , but I was determined to get one last picture in. 

Grande Post - Polroids #8 - #10 (NY Pulbic Library, Grand Central, Carnegie Hall)

Readers, I'm sorry for the lack of posting recently! My life has been crazy with final exams and projects looming over my head. To make up for my absence, I'm posting all three Polaroids that should have been up for your viewing pleasure by today. Thank you for all the support and I promise to not let this happen again! Please keep spreading the word about the blog and I LOVE, LOVE comments!

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New York Public Library

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

The library is a great piece of architecture. And what journalist doesn't love a library?

Grand Central Station

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

So, I underestimated the lighting in Grand Central and the picture came out dark, but I literally had no room for re-takes and decided that this picture was actually a conceptual picture of "Grand Central: the Indoor City that Never Sleeps". 

Carnegie Hall

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

 

Carnegie is one of the many musical meccas located in New York. It is synonymous with talent and prestige.  And my favorite unknown musical Brooklyn, featuring the wonderful Eden Espinosa (LA Original Cast Elphaba for Wicked), had a scene here.

Polaroid #7 - Empire State Building

Thank you to all my readers! Please keep checking the blog daily and spread the word. Remember comments = LOVE!

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Empire State Building.

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

The building is still synonymous with NY and is a major landmark. A definite must-see when in the city,

Polaroid #6 - Live Music on Thanksgiving

Thank you to all my readers! Please keep checking the blog daily and spread the word. Remember comments = LOVE!

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Friends gracing us with their musical talents

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Thanksgiving dinner party made better by live music! We're that cool. 

Polaroid #5 - Birdland

Thank you to all my readers! Please keep checking the blog daily and spread the word. Remember comments = LOVE!

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 Jazz cafe where many of my favorite singers perform

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

So, I stumbled on this wonderful place while I was looking for the Al Hirshfield theatre, where I watched "Hair".  It was a very pleasant surprise.

Polaroid #4 - The New York Times Building

Thank you to all my readers! Please keep checking the blog daily and spread the word. Remember comments = LOVE!

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New York Times Building located on 8th

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Another journalism related pic.  NY is considered to be the center of the news world and so I absolutely had to take a pic of the building otherwise I would be an epic failure. People were walking by like mad! Also, at this point it startled to sprinkle every so slightly and I kind of had a mini freak out: running under every available shelter.

Polaroid #3 - Reuters Building

Thank you to all my readers! Please keep checking the blog daily and spread the word. Remember comments are more than welcome.

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Reuters NY (the building between RICOH and AT&T)

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

I'm a huge geek for all things relating to journalism. For those unfamiliar with Reuters, they were brothers who revolutionized the way news traveled. Through the use of telegraph lines and carrier pigeons, Reuters got the news first and was always right.

Polaroid #2 - Times Square

Thank you to all of my readers! Please keep checking daily from 3 pm - 6 pm EST for new posts and keep spreading the word! Also, comments = love!

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Times Square

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

Another classic shot. I took this picture right after I took the first one. I'm a big fan of crowd pics of a city because I believe cities are defined by the people who live in them. The overcast weather made for great exposure.  This is the northern end of Times Square, facing North.

Polaroid #1 - Broadway Musical Ads

Thank you to all my readers! Sorry about the delay, I took a couple of off to catch up with my friends and actually go to classes (sad, I know).  I'll be back to the daily posting schedule from between 3 pm - 6 pm.  From here on out, I'll be posting one Polaroid a day.  So, keep checking the blog daily and spreading the word!

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 Ads right by the TKTS booth at Times Square

Taken with the Polaroid One Step Express

So, this first picture shows a lot about me. I love musicals! Of course, it's also a classic shot of NYC. I got lucky with this first shot. I guessed at the exposure and lighting and I had a steady hand.

Shooting Day 3

Thanks to all my readers! Last night in NYC! Remember to check the site  and spread the word about the blog to all your friends!

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I'm wicked wiped after today. I got into the city around 12:30 PM and walked all the way from Madison Square Garden to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. to give you some perspective, I went from 33rd Street to 80th Street.  The walk was actually really nice. From the Met I took the subway to Ground Zero.  I was a little confused as to how to get to the ferries, so I took a cab.  Lady Liberty looks wicked small on the Polaroid.  On my way back to the subway, some creepy, old guy handing out tour ads hit on me. EWWWWW!

I took the 1 back to Times Square and walked to the Midtown. There, I took pictures of the Time and Life Building, Radio City, and a couple food stands. One of the vendors flipped out and asked to see the pic. I assured him that he wasn't in the picture. INS, anyone?

The last pic I took in the fading daylight was the sign for "Next to Normal". A critically acclaimed and NPR recommended musical.

Review of today's pics:
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art
2. Ground Zero
3. Statue of Liberty
4. Time and Life Building
5. Radio City
6. Sabrett's and Nuts for Nuts stands
7. "Next to Normal" sign

Shooting Day 2

Thank you to all my readers! I'll be on a more regular schedule again once I get back to Boston. But, please keep checking the site daily and spreading the word around!

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Yesterday, I was supposed to get up early and get a lot of shots down, but it was the day after Thanksgiving and it was gloomy so I didn't make it to the city until the afternoon.
I ended up covering a lot of area anyway. I went from Madison Square Garden to Central Park.
These are the shots I took:
1. Empire State Building
2. NY Public Library
3. Grand Central Station
4. Carnegie Hall
5. Central Park

I even stopped to have some coconut at a Nuts for Nuts stand. I highly recommend them.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you eat lots of turkey and remember to count your blessings!

First day of shooting

Thank you to all my readers and followers! I'll be changing the posting time from 3 pm - 5 pm EST to 6 pm - 9 pm EST since I will need to utilize all the daylight I can.  Don't forget to keep checking the blog daily and spread the word!

Comments = LOVE!

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I survived navigating New York City by myself! I guess I kind of cheated because I only stayed in the Theatre District. The first thing I did when I got off the train was make a bee-line to the TKTS discount booth. I did this first so that I could plan my photos around what time I had to be at the show.  Based on my friend's advice, I bought a matinee ticket for "Hair". I made a steal with the tickets and I reccomend the show, but be advised it's not exactly kid-friendly (nudity, swearing, sexual content, suggested violence). For the full review visit my livejournal account.

My signed Playbill and my ticket from "Hair"

Taken with my BlackBerry Curve

The first picture I took was of Broadway musical billboards.  Next, I took a picture of the people walking through Times Square.  After that, I took a picture of the Reuters building.  I tried to find the original "New York Times" building, but I ended up taking a picture of the current one.  The last picture I took happened by chance.  While trying to find the theatre "Hair" was playing, I passed none other than Birdland! So, even though Birdland was on the lower end of my list (ludicrous, I know) I doubled back and took a pic.  By this time it was getting close to the showtime, so I ate and went to the show, hoping there might be some daylight left when I got out.  No such luck.  The other 15 Polaroids will have to wait until Friday and Saturday.

You're probably looking for the Polaroids at this point and I hate to say that you won't see them under I get back to Emerson. That way, I can scan them instead of taking crappy pics of them with my BlackBerry.

1st day is done. I got 5 pics and 15 to go!

1st Night in NY

Thank you, once again, to all of my readers and followers. I'll be uploading mobile posts and then, longer posts everyday. So, don't forget to check the blog everyday from 3 pm - 5 pm EST. And please keep spreading the word!

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I took the Peter Pan bus from Boston to New York City.  The ride took around 4 hours and it was pretty sweet since I got WiFi. It was actually a nice day today and I got in while there was still daylight, but I was lugging around all my stuff, plus I thought I'd take the time to scope out some prime real estate to photograph. And I have to figure out a way to store my Polaroids while I'm out and about.

View from my bus seat

Taken with my BlackBerry

So the weather looks a little better for the rest of the week.

Tonight: Clear this evening then becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower late. High near 55F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow night: Showers in the evening, then cloudy overnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Thursday: Cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day. High 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.

Friday: Chance of afternoon showers. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the mid 40s.

Saturday: Cloudy, periods of rain. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the upper 30s.

info from Yahoo!Weather 

Hopefully the weather stays like this or gets better.

Sorry for the short post without any pics, but I'm currenty working from my BlackBerry. I'll be posting a longer version later tonight.

Thank you to all my faithful readers and followers! Don't forget to check the site between 3 pm and 5 pm EST. And keep spreading the word!
I'm officially in NY!

Rain, Rain Go Away - NY Weather Report

So, my roommate pointed out that a couple of storms are coming to the North East and I decided it would be best if I checked the weather reports for NY.

Captures of Yahoo!Weather report for NY

So, not the best weather for taking pictures. Hopefully, the weather will clear up or I'll just have to deal with it. I'm also a little down because the reality of not seeing my roommates for nearly a week just hit it and it's pretty darn depressing. Despite the crappy weather conditions and emotional toil, I'm still super excited to go.

8 Tips for Taking Polaroid Pictures

2 MORE DAYS UNTIL NY! 

Thank you to all of my followers and readers! Please keep checking the blog daily. I'll be posting between 3 pm - 6 pm EST everyday. And spread the word!

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Picture of a 55mm lens... Best related pic I had.

Taken with a Canon SLR Rebel

 
Here's a list of tips I found about taking Polaroid photos:

1. Don't clutter the frame.
2. Take your time.
3. If the photo turns out horribly, edit it (draw on it, cut it, load it on Photoshop).
4. DO NOT shake the Polaroid. The current technology no longer requires shaking to develop.
5. Store pictures at room temperature.
Night-time
6. Use flash and all available light sources.
7. Get as close to your subject as possible without compromising focus.
Warning: Longer exposure means more light, at night a long exposure time could cause light streaks.
8. LOVE YOUR SUBJECT AND HAVE FUN.

Information from:
Associated Content
eHow

Polaroids of New York ON SALE

This project has peaked my interest in the art of Polaroid photography. I've been  a huge chunk of spending my free time researching the resurgence of people taking Polaroid pictures.  When I think about it, it's actually not that far-fetched for a riding trend in using instant film when it's about to die.  Everyone loves retro; it's cool, it's arts-y, it shows you have intellect (supposedly).

I stumbled on this website where a guy was selling Polaroids of New York for anywhere from $5 USD to $50 USD.  Now that might seem a bit price-y, but then again, who can put a dollar sign to a dying art?  Joe, the photographer, will mail anyone a picture of anything in New York.  He lists sites such as Coney Island, Brooklyn Bridge, the view from the top of the Empire State building to everyday things like rush hour traffic jam, snobby upscale art gallery, and his apartment.

 Capture of Joe's banner on his website

Check it out if you're interested.
http://haybale.org/

SPECIAL DELIVERY!

Thank you to my four followers and my readers! Keep checking the blog daily for new posts and spread the word!

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I took a nap after my one and only Friday class (which, of course, is at 8:30 am), I woke up to one of the most wonderful notifications on my phone.

Capture of the Emerson Mail Service package notification

My film arrived! I picked up the package from the mail room and could hardly contain my excitement as I ripped the package open. I took a quick snapshot, then proceeded to crank up the fan in my room all the way.  Hopefully, my roommates won't mind the room being a little chilly.  For extra measure, I resealed the package with duct tape to keep all moisture out.

The 2 packs of Polaroid 600 film.

Taken with my BlackBerry Curve.

The package with the beautiful teal duct tape protection

Taken with my BlackBerry Curve

The reality that I only have 20 pictures at my disposable has finally set in and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was nervous about my endeavor. But, I'm so happy that I got the film in time! Now that I have all the necessary supplies, a big load is off my shoulders and I'm so pumped to go. NEW YORK OR BUST!

Ordering the Film

My Amazon order for 20 photos of the LAST of the few remaining Polaroid 600 instant film was confirmed!

Capture of the confirmation email

Picture of the twin pack

I would like everyone to note that the film cost $59.99 USD. That is more than what I paid for the actual camera! I spent a minimum of an hour going back and forth about whether I should go the cheap(er) route and buy a single pack that cost around $36 USD or buy the twin pack or just shut up and put down the cash for a 3 pack which cost around $100 USD. I chose the twin pack because it was a compromise between being cheap or having more pictures.  Cost is only one of my worries.

Since I ordered it on November 18th, I put a rush on the order so that I could get the film on time.  Hopefully, the film will arrive before I leave for NY on the 24th. I'm hoping that the proximity of the distributor will help get the package to me ASAP. If the film isn't here by Monday morning, I'll be forced to go and buy film at Urban Outfitters.

Introduction

A week into the semester, my digital camera broke. It was a Canon Powershot SD750 that apparently has a manufacturing glitch; if you take the memory card out too many times, then the little switch on the inside indicting whether or not the memory card is locked will break. And being the avid photographer I am, I took the memory card out one too many times. CRAP. Instead of getting a new digital camera right away, I decided to wait and ask for a new one at Christmas.

My broken Canon.
Picture taken with my BlackBerry Curve.

Then, I made plans to go to NY for Thanksgiving. I was pained by the fact that I was going to be in NY without a camera. So, I ordered a Polaroid One Step Express camera kit from Amazon. I thought it would be fun to experiment with an old school model.

My Polaroid camera.
Picture taken with my BlackBerry Curve.

I received the package today and was ecstatic! The camera came with a carrying case, but no film. No worries, right? Wrong. The One Step Express takes Polariod 600 film. I looked at the listings for 600 film and found a 10 pack cost near the amount I paid for the camera. YIKES! So I went to polaroid.com to try and buy it directly from the company. Guess what, Polaroid has discontinued manufacturing all instant film. So, the listings on Amazon are the last instant films in existence! While trying to find the best deals on film, I stumbled upon a review that mentioned a group of people (http://www.the-impossible-project.com/) trying to re-open a Polaroid factory and start re-selling instant film for those of us who still own non-digital Polaroid cameras.

Realizing that I stumbled upon a dying art, I was inspired to create a photography project. Armed with a Polaroid One Step Express and 20 photos of Polaroid 600 film (I ordered a twin pack of 600 film, today, and put it on rush), I will document my first trip to NY. This will be a challenge for me because I've never worked with a Polaroid camera before and I'm limited to only 20 pictures. This goes against my personal photographing style. I'm accustomed to digital cameras where I can take as many pictures as I want and not worry so much about messing up.