Choose Your Adventure
Some after mid-night shots from the New York City Subway where the glare of a different light exists in the dark of the underground. There is a gritty sense of companionship on board the train which is missing as you emerge from that hole in the ground to the quiet, almost empty streets and the long walk home . . . .
But how reassuring to know, that in this city that never sleeps, you can always pick up a banana from a lone fruit vendor whenever you want one. * * * * *
As usual beautiful pictures. You grabbed the faces, the atmosphere and that untouchable “night” thing you feel when you prowl after dark.
We all felt as though we were riding the slow boat to China that night . . . !
It feels lonely and desolate, with stories everywhere.
It was lonely and desolate but I wasn’t sure that I wanted any company either!
I’m sure you didn’t! But really, what a change from the big bad NYC of the 70s. 🙂
Ace shots, Patti! Love the people shots, but I love the tension in that first shot. Brilliant.
Thank you Richard, it was one of those sliding door moments.
you always can catch the atmosphere so well…
i ride the train to work everyday, so many individuals, but when something happens “we” are in it together
Isn’t that just the case, in it together for better or worse! Do you ever take any shots on your train rides?
Beautiful work, Ms. K! Having never been to New York the NYC Subway is still the stuff of legend to me… I always think of Walker Evans… and I can feel the spirit of that here, although these images have that increased level of interaction with your subjects as well… wonderful!
🙂
As James Agee wrote in his introduction to Evan’s book of subway images –
“Those who use the New York subways are several millions…They are members of every race and nation of the earth. They are of all ages, of all temperaments, of all classes, of almost every imaginable occupation. Each is incorporate in such an intense and various concentration of human beings as the world has never known before. Each, also, is an individual existence, as matchless as a thumbprint or a snowflake. Each wears garments which of themselves are exquisitely subtle uniforms and badges of their being. Each carries in the postures of his body, in his hands, in his face, in the eyes, the signatures of a time and a place in the world upon a creature for whom the name immortal soul is one mild and vulgar metaphor.”
Hope you get to ride the glories of the magnificent NYC Subway soon SiG!
Exciting shots. They have much glamuor, with a style that ignites the imagination of what can happen in that place at that moment. They are life and realism.
Congratulations Patti these shots.
Carlos
We take our glamour where we are lucky enough to find it, thank you so much dear Carlos!
I have a NYC subway token somewhere. It is about the size of a dime, looks brass, cost 15 cents.
I should frame it if I were you Carl!
What a glorious trip you are on, Patti! Thank you for taking us along for the ride!
I hadn’t planned on staying out so long Annie but one drink lead to another!
Very gritty shots, Patti – well captured 🙂
Marianne, thank you so much! 🙂
the underground at night is always a place of wonder when only the hardy souls of this city are among the majority …
That’s for sure! Did you ever see that grizzly subway gang film, The Warriors? It was a long time ago, I keep telling myself!
A cult classic bit of film. Loosely based on the reality of the times. Today I just have to be careful where I sit – something I rarely do anyway especially the corner seats – nuff said 😉
ciao! great shots…for ‘all’ eyes.
thebestdressup
The eyes have it, thank you!
I keep waiting for crocodile Dundee to pop out of one of your subway shots!
Oh my God that’s all we need, but I shall keep an eye out for you Derrick 🙂
I love the reflection of the lights on the pavement. Beautiful work, as usual.
Thank you EF!
NY city life from up close … they all look so benevolant and do not mind your intruding on them 🙂
Paula, you would be surprised (I know I am!) how many people ask “you wanna take a photo of me?” Not in this set although I did seek and get permission from the young man in the last shot to be photographed. Most of the time it’s a gesture, a nod or a shake.
It does surprise me… it happens to me sometimes, but I deliberately pass on the opportunities finding the potential subjects utterly boring.
Awesome! I have never seen night shots captured quite like yours Patti. Love the first shot.
You are showing interesting glimpses from the big city at night. Very good, Patti. But I am not sure I would like to be there.
You are an adventuress, Patti.
(I use the old-fashioned word because I mean that in the old-fashioned style of the women who went out exploring the world in the days when women scarcely left the kitchen or the parlor.)
Fab post Patti. Every time I am in NY, I am always dying to take photos on the subway, but think I might offend somebody. NY is a photographer’s paradise. Margie
Margie, it never hurts to ask! I take loads of photos on the subway and mostly always with my big camera which I feel more comfortable using than I do with my iphone – which I use sometimes for Instagram. Perhaps it helps that most times I really do look very clumsy and clueless as to where I am and what I am doing – which still doesn’t get me a seat on the subway but that’s OK! Good luck and give it a go!