Category: Other Interests
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Street photography thoughts
I’ve been reading a lot about the techniques and philosophy of street photography lately, here are some tips I’ve picked up: Talk to people I was under the impression that a solitary photographer could, through observation alone, could develop a collection of amazing people-centric photos. Then I read Bryan Peterson’s book, Understanding Street Photography, and…
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Ricoh camera nostalgia (TF-500 and GR IIIx)
I have two cameras made by the Japanese brand Ricoh. One is a TF-500, a vintage film camera, and the other is a GR IIIx, a modern high-end digital point-and-shoot. I have a soft spot for Ricoh because of 1980s nostalgia. First, there’s the connection with famous street photographer Daido Moriyama, who used a Ricoh…
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The unique trucks of New York
After returning from Japan obsessed with their tiny trucks, I started to notice that New York has its own unique variety of trucks and service vehicles. Many have hand-painted signage and funny logos. Some are truly specialized. I’ve attached several photos below, mostly taken in our neighborhood.
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Sixty years of the drums from “Be My Baby”
Paola and I often have these musical journeys where we jump from song to song on YouTube, so we were on one of those the other day and she put on the Morning Benders’ song “Excuses.” In an interview with the band, they mentioned wanting a Wall of Sound effect. Great song, by the way,…
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Jazz for a Monday morning chill
I put on McCoy Tyner’s Nights of Ballads and Blues while walking to work today because it was sitting in my Apple Music albums and I hasn’t listened to it before. It really fit the Monday morning vibe. Enjoy.
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Where to recycle anything in New York City
Keeping our tiny apartment in Manhattan tidy requires constant attention to not accumulating things. Part of what we’ve developed over the years is a strategy for getting rid of things we no longer need or want. We often save them near the door and make a weekend “run” to drop things off at several places.…
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New site design
I recently transferred my blog to WordPress managed hosting, which is the reason for the change in design. It offers a similar set of features at a much lower price than my previous self-hosted arrangement. You might see some things move around in the next few days. Bear with me as I get everything set…
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Using the Rollei Prego 90 for the first and last time
A few months ago, after catching the film bug, I happened across a 90s-era point and shoot at a local second hand shop. It looked average but had a good name, it was a Rollei, a German brand famous for cameras like the Rolleiflex. The camera was a Rollei Prego 90, and given how hard…
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Rediscovering film cameras in Princeton
A few months ago, Paola and I took some friends to Princeton, New Jersey. We were just looking to get out of the city and enjoy a sunny Saturday. While we were there we happened across a store named, interestingly and somewhat incongruously, New York Camera. Struck by nostalgia, we decided to buy a disposable…
Hops Trains and Backpacks 