I recently released a pack of wallpapers with some of my favorite photos I took in NYC over the years, and I’m really excited with the results. If you’re looking for new wallpapers for your phone, especially for the newly redesigned iOS 16 lock screen, you won’t wanna miss this out:
Tamar Eisenman
It was great being back at Joe’s Pub after 2 years last Tuesday, to photograph the amazing Tamar Eisenman at one of my favorite venues in NYC. Here are some favorites from the night:
An Afternoon in Midtown Manhattan
After reconnecting with Photography last month, I’ve been slowly regaining my confidence and enthusiasm to be out there photographing around the city again, something that honestly I didn’t really see coming until it happened. Since that time I’ve been out a couple more times, the last one being last week, when I decided to take my loyal Fujifilm X-T2 for another walk. And what a productive one it was! I started around Bryant Park, in Midtown Manhattan, going all the way up to east 59th Street and down to the 30s. Even though I started things at the park, I barely shot any nature, leaving my focus almost exclusively to chasing interesting architecture and street scenes, the latter being something that I’m not so used to doing. As a result, here’s a collection of photographs from that day. All shot with my go-to combo Fujifilm X-T2 + Fujinon XF 16-55mm and edited in Adobe Lightroom. Hope you like it!
Reconnecting with Photography
Earlier this month something really incredible happened: I finally reconnected with Photography! Not that I haven’t been thinking about Photography during these 6 months of quarantine (should we even be calling this thing quarantine still?). I’ve been actually involved with a few photography-related projects through these months, but for some reason, I was feeling a bit lost about my own personal creative work.
Everything changed when I had to go to the UES for a dentist's appointment and thought I should bring my camera with me just in case. After the appointment, I decided to walk back home instead of taking any kind of transportation, and since I was so close to Central Park, I couldn’t think of any better way to do it that didn’t include walking through the park. I got in by the 72nd street entrance and started to walk with no route in mind, just to see where it would take me. At that point, I was still not feeling particularly inspired by anything on my way enough to turn the camera on and start photographing, until about 5 minutes later when I realized I was walking towards the Bethesda Terrace, one of the most popular areas of the park that also happens to be one of my favorites to photograph. Noticing how empty it was (compared to how things used to be) I knew I had an opportunity there, especially when I put my eyes on the lonely musician seated right in the center of everything. What a perfect opportunity for a symmetrical shot, right?
This ended up being the first photograph I took intentionally, without any pressure or restrictions, after 6 months of isolation. After that, I kept walking south throughout the park and through Midtown, stopping for some other photo opportunities here and there, and time just flew by. I can’t remember the last time I felt that connected with a creative activity of any sort!
Here are a few more shots I’ve taken since then:
(All photos taken with a Fujifilm X-T2 + Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR)
A Quick Guide to Long-Exposure Photography
The Long Exposure is a very popular Photographic technique vastly explored especially by Landscape and Architectural Photographers, but that can be utilized in many other situations as well. By definition, “a long-exposure (or slow-shutter photography) involves using long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. Long-exposure photography captures one element that conventional photography does not: an extended period of time.”
Basic Camera Settings:
On a Long Exposure photograph, the most important camera setting is your shutter speed, and that is the first thing you should worry about. There’s not an exact number that characterizes a “long exposure”, so that number will change accordingly with the scene you’re photographing and the results you are trying to achieve. If you want to do a panning holding the camera with your hands, 1/15th may do it, but if you are photographing a landscape and want the clouds to blur out, you will want to put the camera on a tripod and expect to let it open for a few seconds, at least. So once you figure out the shutter speed, the other two elements (aperture and ISO) will adapt accordingly. You will probably want to keep your ISO as low as possible, to avoid noise, and the aperture will vary depending on the lens you are using and which part of the scene you want in focus. But remember that every time you change one element, you must adjust the other two to keep your exposure balanced. In order to have full control of all the elements individually, you will want to be shooting in manual mode.
Here’s an image that perfectly illustrates how different shutter speeds can affect the same subject or scene:
The Classic Look:
The sunset (and beyond) is probably the preferred time of the day for Photographers attempting to do long exposures, the reason I like to call this “The Classic Look”. That’s when you normally see the clouds moving, the water looking very silky, and sometimes a light trail here and there:
Here is another example captured at night, but notice how much faster the shutter speed was, compared to the other images. That’s because bridges are structures that move a lot without us realizing, so a much longer exposure would end up being shaky. In this case, there’s nothing moving on the images, but a longer exposure helped me to capture more light keeping the ISO pretty low and avoiding noise in the photograph:
Zooming In and Out:
For this series, I used the technique of zooming the lens in or out, while the shutter remains open, but in this case, I was holding the camera with my hands and had a much faster shutter speed. Because I couldn’t use a much longer shutter speed, I had to use a wider aperture and much higher ISO, to keep the exposure balanced:
Here are two very different shots taken with the same camera settings from the exact same spot. I always like to show these two together as an example of how the exact same scene, with the exact same camera settings, can offer you such diverse results. It’s all a matter of being creative and trying different things:
Double Exposures:
By now you probably know how much I love Double Exposures, right? So, of course, I’ll take the opportunity to use it anywhere I can. Here are two examples combining Long Exposures with Double Exposures, in the first case blurring the second shot, and in the second image zooming out during the second shot:
Light Painting:
This is my first and only attempt of doing “light painting”, which consists of using handheld lights to paint and/or draw in a scene while the shutter of a camera is left open during a long exposure. Back then I didn’t have a remote control or an app on my phone to control the settings, so the longest I could keep my shutter open was 1 second, which was enough to capture some of the action in a decent way.
Infra-Red:
These next two shots were taken using an effect called Infrared, which it’s basically the ability of your camera to see light in a much longer range than our eyes can see. This can be obtained by using infrared film, infrared filters (attached to digital cameras), or by converting the sensor of a camera to be always seeing light like this. These were taken using an infrared filter in front of the lens, and because the filter cuts all the usual lighting, you are forced to do very long exposures to be able to capture enough lighting passing through the sensor. The final results are timeless black and white images, or the more dreamy ones, sometimes referred to as “false-color”:
You can see more examples of Infra-Red Photography by clicking here.
Photography Gear:
So here’s the basic gear that you’ll need to get started with Long Exposures:
A Camera that allows you to control the settings manually. This is the camera that I currently shoot with.
A Tripod, to keep your camera steady. You want every still object to remain still, and all the moving parts to be captured moving. This is the tripod that I currently use. Not the strongest or tallest one, but it gets very compact and light, perfect to carry around and bring with you when traveling. Make sure you get a tripod that will properly hold the weight of your camera + lens combo.
A Remote Control / a remote trigger / or even an app on your phone that can control your camera. Anything that you can use to avoid you having to press the shutter because even that can cause the camera to shake and ruin your picture. If you don’t have access to a remote or an app on your phone, you should at least use the timer on your camera to delay the shutter to go off a few seconds after you press the button.
A Neutral Density filter, known as “ND" - these are used to reduce the amount of light that gets to the camera, allowing you to do long exposures in bright sunny days. Think of it as putting sunglasses in front of your lens.
An Infra-Red filter, if you plan to experiment with that, this is what I use. Make sure to double-check the size of your lens before buying.
And a lot of Patience! Just imagine that you may be spending a couple of hours on the same spot, trying to nail the shot by repeating various long exposures until you get the perfect one.
Final Thoughts & Inspiration:
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced, a hobbyist or a professional, Long Exposures are still a great way to practice Photography and learn (even) more about your camera, as it constantly makes you think about all the different settings and forces you to slow down and think about all the aspects of your image. To finish things off, here are a few of the Photographers that inspire me every time I think about Long Exposures:
Bryan Minear, who has a very classic look but with GORGEOUS color processing, which I’m very attracted to.
Clive Carpenter, proving that you don’t always need a breathtaking landscape or intriguing architecture to create interesting long exposures.
Susan Magnano, who does incredible light paining on landscapes and urban environment;
Marc Koegel, with a dramatic black and white look, achieved a lot by very intense post-production;
And last but definitely not least, Reuben Wu, who does an extraordinary job mixing up Landscapes with Light Painting.
Why We Print: a conversation with Printique
I recently had a fun chat with Printique about Photography, finding inspiration, projects I’m currently working on, and reasons for printing my work. You can read the full interview and check the feature by clicking on this link or in the image below:
Equipment used:
Window Display Portraits
One of the most valuable skill you need to have as a Photographer, in my opinion, is curiosity. Not the latest gear, proper education, post processing skills, but simply being curious all the time. I always like to say that, as a beginner, you should be out photographing every single Photography genre that you can be exposed to. That will teach you not only what you enjoy shooting, but most importantly, what you DO NOT enjoy shooting.
With that in mind, I decided to join a few photography friends that decided to go out one night to photograph the window displays decorated for the holidays, a long time tradition in NYC. I had no idea that something that has very little appeal to me, would end up being so enjoyable. Using only available lighting from each display and treating the mannequins as models ready to be photographed, I found a lot of pleasure in walking around looking for interesting and (sometimes) unusual angles to capture each of them.
Here are some of my favorites:
Equipment used:
Through a Different Lens • Stanley Kubrick Photographs
Through October 28, 2018, the Museum of the city of New York hosts a must-see exhibit for Photography and Film lovers. You probably already know Stanley Kubrick for his classic movies ”2001: A Space Odyssey”, ”A Clockwork Orange”, ”The Shining” and many others. What you may not know is that when he was only 17 years old, he started working for Look magazine as a Photographer documenting a broad of different subjects throughout New York City.
The exhibit showcase more than 120 photographs from that period and it will probably blow your mind!
(all photographs by Stanley Kubrick)
Check the Museum of the City of New York’s website for more information and plan your visit.
A few words with Desmond White
I've recently photographed Desmond White on his show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with him about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Desmond White: Eraserhead. Not that it really needs any musical augmentation, but it would have been a fun challenge to match those visuals.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
DW: Elliott Smith.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
DW: Drive to my favorite Thai supermarket in Queens, 3 Aunties.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
DW: Somnolent.
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
https://desmondwhite.bandcamp.com/album/glace
https://desmondwhite.bandcamp.com/album/short-stories
A few words with Boy Who Cried Wolf
I've recently photographed Boy Who Cried Wolf on his show in NYC at Mercury Lounge, and took the opportunity to chat with him about a few other things:
(live at Mercury Lounge, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Boy Who Cried Wolf: I love horror movies... I'd love to have written the "Halloween" theme by John Carpenter... or the "Psycho" theme by Bernard Herrmann. Both minimal, iconic songs that don't require lyrics to invoke a feeling. The "mother!" score by Johann Johannsson seems mighty interesting too... wish I had done that!
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
BWCW: I missed AFI when they toured "Sing The Sorrow" and will kick myself forever because of it. I wish I had seen Manson during his "Antichrist Superstar" days too.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
BWCW: I'm a bit of a hermit, but when I do emerge from my cave, I like to take long walks. Preferably not on a beach.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
BWCW: Synthmetal
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
www.facebook.com/boywhocriedwolfnyc
www.reverbnation.com/boywhocriedwolfnyc
www.soundcloud.com/boywhocriedwolfnyc
www.instagram.com/boywhocriedwolfnyc
A few words with Emily Browning
I've recently photographed Emily Browning on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Emily Browning: I'm a big sucker for romance movies if they're well written! There's a movie called About Time - a beautiful love story that surrounds a young guy who discovers that he can travel back in time through his own life. The reason I'd want to write a song for this particular movie is because there's no big love-drama or "chase the girl" scene... Instead, it is more focused on the finer details of what it actually means to be in love.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
EB: Earth Wind and Fire!
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
EB: I've only been to NYC once and had a total of three days there. But one of my favorite parts was grabbing a bagel with a friend and taking it to Bryant Park - sitting on the grass and watching the local juggling club.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
EB: Intimate
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
I'm mostly active on Instagram but my music is on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, and Youtube!
https://open.spotify.com/track/3PoZoHfvOHrptTZC6YN5cJ
https://soundcloud.com/emilycbrowning
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTZl9gXMn3iEhol77H3_thw?view_as=subscriber
https://www.instagram.com/emily.c.browning/?hl=en
A few words with Leah Harris
I've recently photographed Leah Harris on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Leah Harris: I would love to have written a song for August Rush. I found the music in that movie to be so touching. Loved the way different genres were combined too.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
LH: Ray Charles!! 100%!! He is my hero and I wish I had been around to hear him live. I can only imagine the energy in the room when he's playing live, since the recordings already blow my mind.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
LH: Every time I come to NYC I get locked into the Greenwich Village soul scene and just keep returning to Groove and Cafe Wha? over and over again. Amazing R&B - the songs I grew up with on the Detroit radio - and I absolutely love the musicians that play there!
How would you describe your music in just one word?
LH: Real. I sometimes find it hard to describe the genre of my music, but I always make sure that it's coming from someplace real.
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
Instagram: @leahharrismusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leahharrismusic
Spotify: Leah Harris Music
YouTube: www.youtube.com/leahharrismusic
Website: www.leahharrismusic.com
A few words with Keith Ward
I've recently photographed Keith Ward on his show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with him about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Keith Ward: "James Bond - Casino Royale". All the Bond movie songs are iconic and this my favorite!
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
KW: Led Zeppelin
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
KW: Take a long run through Brooklyn and over the bridge.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
KW: Positive.
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-best-year-ep/id902520860
https://open.spotify.com/artist/46RNEhOBbNdtY10EpirICy?si=8igMVRVs
A few words with Mosa
I've recently photographed Mosa on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Mosa: The Endless Summer - that movie embodies such a cool lifestyle, and I'd love to capture the imagery and landscapes through sound.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
Mosa: This is a tough one! But probably Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, or Joni Mitchell.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
Mosa: Definitely includes eating at Johns Pizzeria on Bleecker street (just order a plain pie) and then going next door for ice cream at Cones (my favorite is a scoop of the almond ice cream and the cantaloupe sorbet.) Then checking out Matt Umanov Guitars across the street and playing some really rad old instruments. I also love wandering around the city and just people watching, hanging out in Washington Square Park, and checking out the farmers market in Union Square.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
Mosa: Genuine.
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
www.facebook.com/mosamusic
(New Album to be recorded in a few weeks... and it's expected to be released Spring 2018!)
A few words with Jessi Mason
I've recently photographed singer/song-writer Jessi Mason on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Jessi Mason: The original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder. I love that that movie is so full of wonder, but is simultaneously pretty dark. I'd want my song to reflect that whimsical eeriness.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you wouldn’t miss a concert?
JM: Joni Mitchell.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
JM: Look for good bookstores/coffee!
How would you describe your music in just one word?
JM: Nostalgic.
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
www.jessimason.com
www.facebook.com/jessimasonmusic
www.instagram.com/jessi.mason
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5gJfcr0UWAk7lLNgiGhbZg
A few words with Scotch the Filmmaker
I've recently photographed Chicago based indie-rock band Scotch the Filmmaker on their show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with them about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Joe: Point Break for me; It is the cult classic of my people.
Franny: Ferris Bueller because of the same reasons.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you wouldn’t miss a concert?
Franny: David Bowie with my dad. That would've been special. They grew up in the same parts of London and he remembers when Bowie was just this new weird kid playing new weird music.
Joe: Ugh, the Family factor would make me want to say Grateful Dead with my dad and brother or Carole King with my mom. Hendrix is it for me: I couldn't miss all that energy, and the guitar playing is still amazing.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
Joe: Eat. Food culture here is bonkers.
Franny: See a performance of something - comedy, musical, opera, ballet, doesn't matter what.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
Joe: Clever
Franny: Inclusive
Joe: I like hers better.
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
https://open.spotify.com/album/7eW9zPtC5cSX3EG1t1pF6i
https://soundcloud.com/jmonaha2/sets/lake-effect-indie-vol-1
instagram.com/scotchthefilmmaker/
A few words with McLovins
I've recently photographed JAM Rock band McLovins on their show in NYC at Mercury Lounge, and took the opportunity to chat with them about a few other things:
(live at Mercury Lounge, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Jake Huffman: Oh' Brother Where art Tho, I feel like getting entirely lost and ending up back where you started a changed man is something that resonates in our music and our lives.
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you wouldn’t miss a concert?
JH: John Coltrain
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
JH: Kicking back a few at a cool bar, and watching the sun set in Washington Square Park.
How would you describe your music in just one word?
JH: Party
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mclovins/id1045544413
A few words with Ritual Talk
I've recently photographed NYC based Psychedelic Indie Rock band Ritual Talk on their show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with them about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Ritual Talk: Any movie that creates a fully realized world - thinking Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Kubrick films - that convinces its audience of its reality. For us, making music is very much like that - convincing a listener that the sonic world in our heads is a reasonable way to hear the world!
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you wouldn’t miss a concert?
Alex D: Led Zeppelin. Rock & Roll. Trem: Uh, probs Led Zeppelin. Tom: Led Zeppelin, no doubt. Dylan: Dude, Led Zeppelin! T.J: Prime CSN
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
Ritual Talk: Make a great scramble to start off the day. Hit the nearest park for a stroll and a frisbee toss. And then see where the day takes us (hopefully towards a game of catan).
How would you describe your music in just one word?
RT: Expansive
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
Website: https://ritualtalk.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritualtalk/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0VKLniHOjxzm8I8IXp7bej
A few words with Carolyn Miller
I've recently photographed NYC based singer/song-writer Carolyn Miller on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:
(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)
One, two, three, four!
Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Carolyn Miller: A Walk To Remember - I was OBSESSED with that movie and soundtrack all throughout middle school and high school. That CD was on repeat all the time! So many great memories associated with those songs and that movie... love me a good love story :)
If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you wouldn’t miss a concert?
CM: Whitney Houston - Hearing that voice live would've been magical.
Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off?
CM: Oh man, this is a hard one. I don't get them too often but when I do, I'd say shop, mani/pedi, massage - I'm such a girly girl! Also, if the weather allows, I love going to a rooftop bar on a night off. Nothing's better than sharing a few good convos with a few good friends over a few good cocktails -- all while watching the sunset over NYC! My personal favorite spot is Pod 39 - highly recommend!
How would you describe your music in just one word?
CM: Country-Pop
(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
My debut EP will be released in the coming months -- can't wait! My music website is currently being built, so social media is the best place right now for everything :-)
www.instagram.com/carolynmillermusic
www.facebook.com/carolynmillermusic
www.twitter.com/carolyn_miller
Brasil Summerfest 2017 @ Central Park SummerStage
Last Saturday I had the pleasure to attend Brasil Summerfest, a festival that celebrates Brazilian music in NYC. This year's performances featured Liniker e os Caramelows and Elza Soares. Here are some of my favorite shots I took there, while on assignment for Leblon.
