New blog, new camera, it seems. Saturday morning I picked up a new Leica M just in time to take pictures at the Singles' Symposium at Lincoln Center and at Alpha and Zack's engagement party. I tried the camera out last year and knew I'd be getting one. It just took a minute to make it happen.
There's the new camera right there. Went black this time.
First picture with the new camera, Marcus actually had an old film Leica with him so I tried out its vintage 9cm f/4 lens for this shot. All these indoor pictures were taken at ISO 3200, something my M8, as noble and lovable as it is, can't do.
Jenica and Deb, in town from DC and deciding where to eat in the East Village while everyone else heads to Grimaldi's.
Just testing out my focus. At this point I was back to my 50mm f/2 lens, fyi.
Cesar!
As you can see, I could use an education on white balance.
Kim. Resting from the rigors of moderating.
Allison.
Brook.
Meredith and I were in the same London study abroad group just some short 15 years ago.
And now, a few hours later, everyone gathers for Alpha and Zack's engagement party. There was some confusion among some attenders over whether it was a wedding reception or an engagement celebration. To the confused I say "Read the email!" and "If this is a reception, where are the parents?" (read that like Darth Vader saying "If this is a consular ship than where is the ambassador?")
X.
Been a good while since I'd seen Allison.
Cyrus in silhouette.
Jeff and Chaunte and a new present.
Ty and Emily and the grin of the newly engaged.
Suzy and her dude.
Suzy's dude and Suzy.
(Big apologies right now for blanking on Dude's name. We've even hugged!)
Jeff and one of the previously mentioned presents.
Emily.
Pearl, Broek, Chaunte.
Kerlyn and child.
Larson and others.
Leanna.
Jeff and me explaining how to focus.
The Weinbergs.
Ashley and Leanna.
Council of the Engaged.
Broek and Jeff.
Pearl.
Out the window.
And out on the street.
Walking home down Canal Street.
More to come.
On Friday, April 24th I had the good fortune of attending Lucky Peach's annual Winners are Losers James Beard Media Awards afterparty. It was held at the Milk Studios in Chelsea and featured an exciting line up of food and entertainment.
This is a view of what was across the street from the party. But you know what might have been a good photo to take, Brigham? Maybe one of the space where the party was?
It was a rather lively gathering. Lots of elbows to rub.
Upon arrival I headed straight for the Superiority Burger table. Superiority Burger is the veggie-burger creation of one Brooks Headley (shown here in the white apron), the award-winning pastry chef at Del Posto.
I don't know anything about veggie burgers but these things are so good! I would buy so many of these, given the option. I'd be eating non-meat burgers, if they were these, around the clock, if I could.
Oddfellows were in the house dishing out key lime pie ice cream.
Vegan chicharron from El Rey
Cookie bush
Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem DJ'd
On the left, Lucky Peach Editor-in-Chief Chris Ying. On the right, luckypeach.com boss Brette Warshaw.
Now here's the big thing about the party: my friend Lucas, from High School (and Junior High and Swim Team) had flown into town from LA because he had been nominated for a James Beard award himself. And not only was Lucas there, but he brought his mom! I hadn't seen her in about ten years. As we also went to school with Lucky Peach's Peter Meehan, his wife Hannah, and brother Jim (in town from Portland to mix drinks at the party), the event was a serious OPRF reunion. (And much preferable than our upcoming 20th Anniversary, I'd imagine)
Go Huskies
Weather got nicer, started going outside with my camera again. Squarespace seems pretty great so far, but I really wish I could add captions to the tops of pictures. That's just my style.
One sunny Saturday found me walking all the way to the river in midtown. Why? To get donuts at a car wash.
Patient fellow.
Aztec remnants in midtown.
Unfortunately passing through Times Square was part of walking back from the river
It certainly is!
Taking this I kept thinking "Modern Prometheus", but that's Dr. Frankenstein.
Then the next sunny Saturday I found myself walking through Central Park, ran right into a picnic of some friends. Friends such as Stephen and Mencius, shown here.
So glad to see the turtles out. I should work on being a turtle pond regular.
This is a statue for Poland.
Ice cream misfortune.
Everyone all worked up about spring. And it was good.