Lower East Side Bris - Part 3

More faces from the congregation in attendance at the bris.

Lower East Side Bris - Part 2

The lighting was very difficult in the synagogue because the congregation was facing east and the eastern wall of the building had two long narrow stained glass windows through which the morning sun was very strong but it created some very interesting patterns. One of the grandfathers of the baby was sitting in a patch of light that had four different colors. The shots in color were impossible, but as b/w they came out rather interesting.

Lower East Side Bris - part 1

I had the opportunity today to photograph a bris on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I've been working on a project for many years and it all began in this neighborhood. I've known many of these people for almost 25 years. The ceremony was in the Chasam Sofer synagogue on Clinton Street which has just been through a complete renovation. The results of the overhaul are breathtaking. The building is one of the very few remaining in the area which at one time boasted a regal synagogue on almost every block.

Here's some interesting characters from the neighborhood.

Looking At Great Work

I spent some time this afternoon at the Breuer extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's the old Whitney Museum building. There's an exhibit of the early work of Diane Arbus. I was curious to see the work because so many of her later works have become established as icons of quasi-documentary work from the late '50's and '60's. It was refreshing to see works by her that are so unknown. Her work so reminded me of Garry Winogrand's from around the same time. Arbus went out to explore the world around her and shot, shot, and shot. Everything and everyone. Just like Winogrand did. Looking at her work reminded me of my early days shooting film with my Leicas. And I was excited to hit the street for the rest of the afternoon. Not with the intention of looking for great pictures, or the perfect shot of the day. But to just go out to shoot - and let my instincts take over, trust my intuition. I walked down Lexington ave, across 47th street, and down Seventh ave to Penn Station. It felt wonderful.

Topless Day In NYC

What can I say? It was "Topless Day' in New York, with a rally at the UN for people to 'Free your breasts and free your mind!' The demonstrators/marchers were your average New Yorkers, no Playboy centerfolds (thank heavens!).

It's All About The Eyes

I've been back from Israel for more than six weeks now, but been so preoccupied with working through those photos that I haven't had much of a chance to do much street work in New York. I went out with that in mind on two different occasions this past week. My 'street muscles' need a serious workout. I have to get back into the groove of seeing what's around me and then exercising my index finger to push the shutter. But I did happen to get one good shot yesterday.

Israel 2016 - The Last Day

On the final day of my visit to Israel the group of artists with which I was traveling had an arts fair in Arad. The artists had mini-workshops for those who came to try their hand at some creative skills. And I had an opportunity to photograph more kids.

I departed for home the next day. But leshana haba b'yerushalayim!