Empire State of Mind

So, to start things off, I'm not Maggie: it's Niklaas. Guest posting, yet again. There's a reason though! While Maggie is off being productive and succeeding in life, I'm going to post this so she can spend time studying so she can pass her final (her final final, in fact). 

Last month, over Thanksgiving, I was in New York, so most of these pictures are going to come from there. Not all of them though, because we'd hate to get in a rut, wouldn't we? I was in New York to actually...participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cool, eh? Not only that, but I was in the Great American Marching Band (geeky? yes. awesome?? yes.). 

This first picture, and the next few, in fact, are from one of the most recognizable American landmarks (?) ever. Times Square! I can promise you that it's just as bright and breathtaking in real life as it is on television. 

The one thing that definitely struck me about "the big city" was, to no surprise, how big it really was. That, and the amount of people!! I was absolutely blown away. Coming from a city as tiny as mine, it was insane to see that many people packed into that small a space. Especially during the parade, seeing 6,000,000 people,  I live in a city of only 25,000. 

So I shot all of these pictures were shot on film, using a  pretty old Canon A-1. This was the first time that I've shot with film in YEARS (I learned to shoot on my dad's old Pentax, but since then I've only used digital) so it was definitely quite the learning curve, trying to remember all of the "old school" film techniques. I don't know if I'd say that I succeeded, per say, but I do really love the overall look of these pictures! That grainyness that only film could give really adds a romantic quality to these photos, I think...

I feel like this is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. Not because it's especially aesthetically pleasing (I don't think it is at all) but because it basically sums up everything from the trip. New York, and shopping. Even though I didn't make it into one of these H&Ms, even though there were three within a few blocks of Times Square, I did manage to get into the GIGANTIC Forever 21 in Times Square, so I still feel like it was a success! 

I feel like this is another example of the beauty of film that digital just can't measure up to. Ever. The way the light hit this, even though the picture was taken at noon, is just...amazing. It looks like I imagine the 1960s. I can't even describe it. These pictures are just so nostalgic, and make me so happy.

This is actually the only picture in this post that wasn't from New York, but it IS my favorite from all the rolls of film. It, also, is the only one of the pictures that was "planned." Well, not really. Only in the fact that I knew the way that the sun rose, and I figured that this might work. It did, I feel, work magnificently. This picture especially feels reminiscent of an earlier, simpler time. 

Alright, kids, this is it for me. Hopefully this sates you until Maggie and I get back in business (something that I am VERY excited about!). It's always a pleasure to write these, and I do see the comments, and enjoy them all. 

---Niklaas

 P.S. Merry Christmas!!