Murals III

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 

T-Bird

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Flower and Stencils

Red Hook Doughboy

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Happy Fourth of July!!

Murals II

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Stoop

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Only in Brooklyn are these steps called a stoop.  

Red Hook Murals

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

I'll be on vacation this week, won't be near my computer, so I won't be able to respond to comments to this blog or comment on the blogs I follow.  For your viewing pleasure this week, I've scheduled some of the remaining pictures from my photo walk around the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY to be posted.  

South Side Warehouse

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Statue of Liberty and Schooner

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Return to Sender

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Linking this reflection to Weekend Reflections, where you can find some very interesting reflections.  Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend.

Old Trolley

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

A Relic of the Past

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Until I saw this on our photowalk around Red Hook, I had forgotten all about these things.  There were a number of these "Call Boxes" rusting away on the streets, long since replaced with more modern ways to call for a fire engine or an emergency vehicle.   I'm sure in some communities they must still use something like this, or a more recent version.  This antique call box has long since been disconnected, but still serves a useful purpose.  One can find useful information in some of the handbills that are found on these boxes.  Local "street artists" practice their skills on these, although I'm not sure how much skill is involved in the stencil of the "little dictator" shown below.  

Heather

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

I don't consider myself a street photographer at all, but I do admire the work of those who practice street photography and street portraiture.  I particularly like the work of  Bob Dein, whose blog can be seen here.  He posts his work to the "100 Strangers" Flickr group as well as to a number of other photo centric websites.  I met Heather during our "Switch to Manual" photo walk.  She noticed a group of photographers taking pictures, and  was concerned that something was wrong.  I insured her that everything is fine, and that were were all part of a photography workshop, and just out practicing around the neighborhood.  She was relieved to hear that.  I then asked if she'd let me take her portrait.  She graciously agreed.  Thank you, Heather!   

Inside Out Project Portraits

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

The Inside Out Project is a world wide participatory art project created by the artist JR, a recent recipient of the TED prize.  From the website describing the project:

INSIDE OUT gives everyone the opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement for what they stand for. It is a global platform for people to share their untold stories and transform messages of personal identity into works of public art.

These are a couple of portraits on display in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  It's hard to say from just looking at these portraits exactly what these people's statements are.   I'm sure there is an interesting story behind each of these portraits.

Photographers at Work

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Part of the Switch to Manual class as we explored the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.  I'm sure it's obvious who the "pro" in this picture is. 

Brooklyn Inside Out Project

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

After photographing within the Red Hook Bait and Tackle Shop, the "Switch to Manual" class embarked on a photo walk around the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.  There was much to see and photograph, including this art exhibit.  This is a part of a global art project inspired by the Parisienne artist JR.  You can find out more about his project if you "google" the Inside Out Project.  From what I've learned about this project, the artist "JR" has a mobile photo booth and will take anyone's picture.  He then prints it very large and puts it on display like this for all to see.  He has done this all over the world and the final results are really quite impressive.  Most recently, he did this in Times Square, in New York City. The portraits here are  the result of his work in Brooklyn, NY.   After a while, the portraits become weathered and the victims of other 'street' artists, thus adding to their appeal as street art.   These particular portraits were displayed on a corrugated wall which made for some interesting textures  and distortions.  You can find out more about the Inside Out project in NYC here.  You and also find out more about the global Inside Out project here.  

The Model Builder

Red Hook Bait and Tackle, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

The model builder here is actually a part of a lamp.  I don't recall if the lamp actually worked or not, but  I was impressed by the workmanship in the carving of the lamp's base here.  He has quite an expressive look on his face as he builds his model.   I would not put this lamp in my living room, but it didn't seem out of place at all amongst the taxidermy and other objects displayed at the Red Hook Bait and Tackle Shop.  

Mermaid

Red Hook Bait and Tackle, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 

Besides all the taxidermy on display, there were many figurines, statues, nautical items, and other "works of art" just about where ever anyone looks here.  I have photographed many other figureheads at Mystic Seaport,  but none quite like this mermaid.  I would like to think that she actually did adorn the bow of a sailing vessel, and was rescued from the scrap heap to serve as the unofficial hostess of the Red Hook Bait and Tackle Shop.  In reality, she's probably a very nice reproduction.  

More Trophies

Red Hook Bait and Tackel Shop, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

The Red Hook Bait and Tackle Shop is a pretty interesting place.  They have quite a collection of taxidermy on display and offered endless subjects to photograph.  After learning how to use the manual settings on our cameras, we spent about an hour shooting in the bar, which had not opened for business yet, so we had the place to ourselves.

Trophies

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 

The Red Hook Bait and Tackle Shop offered endless photo opportunities on which to practice our new manual shooting skills.  These are just some of the "trophies" on display.