Big Apple Visual Adventures

Editor's note: The second-year Lambton College Digital Photography students are on a five-day work study visit to New York City. Follow our daily blog about the adventure. Each day students will share their thoughts on the experience. Please join us as we experience New York City

Day 5 by Gina Robertson and John Seo

It is bittersweet that we have already reached our final day here in the big apple.  Some are happy to be returning home, while others wish we could prolong our adventure. 

Most of us are suffering from a major case of overstimulation.  Since a large percentage of us are accustomed to small town life, this sudden bombardment of stimuli is making it a bit of a challenge to stay focused (or maybe it’s just me!).

The constant flashing of animated billboards, storefront signs, and street lights, in combination with the plethora of contrasting/complimentary colours, saturate the cityscape.  We have become acutely aware of the colours, lines, angles, and shapes that surround us as we are on constant lookout for interesting designs for our images.  But unique design and composition is everywhere at every moment here, so it is not a case of looking for something to photograph.  It is a process of elimination to filter out the visual noise so we can hone in on our target.  Like a trooper on patrol, we are armed and ready, anticipating the next fleeting moment of action to capture.

 It’s hard to describe the overall hum of the city.  It’s a constant buzzing, thumping white noise that seems to have no center of origin.  It’s just there in your head, adding to the excitement of the experience.

The never-ending blaring of horns, screaming of sirens, pounding and rattling of construction, and garbling of voices fill the air.  Music comes and goes as cyclists crank their favourite music on speakers, not unlike the good old days of “ghetto-blasters”.

While walking down the streets of the city, the aromas seem to change about every twenty feet.  Our olfactory senses are teased with the euphoric smell of robust coffee and roasting sweets one moment, with a brisk transition to the hoppy smell of beer as we pass pubs.  On occasion, our dreamy smiles melt into frowns when we get a whiff of sewage that rudely penetrates our noses.  

Overall, the most obvious observation about NYC is the cohesive amalgamation of diversity.  NYC appears to be the melting pot of the world.  As a spectator, it is easy to see the acceptance New Yorkers have for each other.  Sure, we see the rare agitated, angry face in the crowd.  But for the most part, we experienced very polite and helpful individuals.  Humans accepting humans.  We are quite certain they say “sorry” as frequently as we Canadians do.  We felt safe in this place that the media has repeatedly depicted as a constant terrorist threat and a high crime rated region.

The images that we are sharing with you today take you on our last day’s adventure.  In the morning, we divided our group.  Some took the ferry to Ellis Island to visit the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States of America, while the other group ventured on the sky tram to Roosevelt Island, then visited the B&H Photo Video Superstore.  We all met up at The Dakota, where John Lennon, sadly, was killed, and proceeded to the “Imagine Circle” and "Strawberry Fields" gardens in Central Park.  The Central Park experience was a breathtaking experience.  The hurried flow of people slowed.  Suddenly there was tranquility within the hectic chaos.

Editor's Note, please come back and view a couple more days of images and stories as we reflect and wrap-up our journey. 

A subway train takes off from a rarely vacant platform during a quiet Sunday morning underground in New York City, New York, on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

An escalator leading to New York City’s underground subway system continues to operate in the absence of people in New York City, New York in the early morning of Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

The Roosevelt Island aerial tramway connects Roosevelt Island to the upper east side of Manhattan, giving users an alternative method of transit in New York City, New York.  Image taken on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo)

Lifetime NYC resident, Billy, shares stories about his canine companion who lives with him on the streets of New York City, New York on Sunday, August 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

Tourists crowd into the registry room at Ellis Island, New York on Sunday, October 16th, 2016. (Elizabeth Hunt/Lambton College)

The ceiling tiles in the Registry Room reflect the light at Ellis Island, New York on Sunday, October 16th, 2016. (Dave Chidley/Lambton College)

Elizabeth photographs The Registry Room behind a large American Flag at Ellis Island, New York on Sunday, October 16th, 2016. (Dave Chidley/Lambton College)

Bryce and Seth photography a Sycamore tree and the outside of the main  at Ellis Island, New York on Sunday, October 16th, 2016. (Dave Chidley /Lambton College)

The NYC skyline viewed from a second floor window at Ellis Island, New York on Sunday, October 16th, 2016. (Dave Chidley /Lambton College)

An employee of B&H Photo Video helps a customer select a camera in New York City, New York.  The Satmar Hasid-owned superstore employs hundreds of Orthodox Jews.  Image taken Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

The conveyor system delivers bins of purchased goods at B&H. Bins are loaded in the basement warehouse, then travel along an impressively complex tram, directly to the check-out, just in time for the customers’ purchase at B&H Photo and Video Superstore in New York City, New York on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

An employee entertains his customers while preparing their order in a small Italian Deli in New York City, New York on Sunday morning, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

A mosaic memorial for music icon, John Lennon, lies in front of Strawberry Field at one entrance of Central Park in New York City, New York on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

A tribute plaque for Rock and Roll artist and icon, John Lennon, receives roses daily from fans in front of Strawberry Field in Central Park, New York City, NY on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College)

Locals and tourists blend together while enjoying the amenities and surroundings of Central Park in New York City, New York on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (Gina Robertson/Lambton College)

Distracted cyclists motor through Central Park during a crowded Sunday on October 16, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College)

Numerous wedding and engagement photography sessions were taking place in Central Park, New York City, New York on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College)

Tourists and locals enjoy a day of rowing on Central Park Lake in New York City, NY on Sunday, October 16, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College

Local musicians profit from donations for their entertainment in Central Park, New York City, New York, on October 16, 2016.  (John Hoseok Seo/Lambton College)

Christina, Jessica, and Jesse photograph a lake in Central Park. (Dave Chidley / Lambton College)

Elizabeth and Bryce photograph buskers creating giant bubbles for children to pop in Central Park. (Dave Chidley / Lambton College)