[BTS] Foggy Nights

This is a series where I post one image at a time, and share a story “Behind The Shot”, that could be something technical, a challenge, or just an anecdote from the day of. Feel free to explore past entries by clicking here.

This is one of those cases where we have a picture in our minds and have to wait for the perfect conditions to get it. I’ve always been obsessed with looking at photographs of NYC covered in fog, specifically the bridges, which are by far some of my favorite subjects to shoot in the city. It all happened back in 2018, on a foggy night just before summer started. The forecast was predicting another foggy night and I decided that was finally going to be the day where I’d be able to shoot the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge, at night, covered in the fog. I grabbed my trusty camera, a tripod, and biked down to the bridge as quickly as I could. This is one of the few angles I’ve tried and probably one of my favorite photographs I’ve ever taken of the bridge!

For the fellow Photography enthusiasts out there, here’s the equipment and settings used for this shot:

Fujifilm X-T2 + Fujinon 16-55mm 2.8 • 1s f/4.5 ISO 100

This is one of 10 photographs currently available at my print shot, in case you’re interested:

Just click here to see more details.

If you enjoy posts like this, you may enjoy the Newsletter I send every two weeks:

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[BTS] One World Framed

This is a series where I post one image at a time, and share a story “Behind The Shot”, that could be something technical, a challenge, or just an anecdote from the day of. Feel free to explore past entries by clicking here.

When visiting DUMBO, in NYC, 11 out of 10 people like to stop at Washington Street to photograph the classic view of the Empire State Building framed underneath the Manhattan Bridge, even if more than half of those same people don’t even realize that. They are probably just looking to get the bridge in the background. But one day, a few years ago, while walking near the bridge more towards the water, I realized that by looking at the other side, I could actually frame the World Trade Center right underneath the bridge instead, running away from the cliche (that I’m also guilty from, of course) and creating an equally interesting image, if not even more. What do you think?

For the fellow Photography enthusiasts out there, here’s the equipment and settings used for this shot:

Fujifilm X-T2 + Fujinon 16-55mm 2.8 • 1/500 f/6 ISO 500

This is one of 10 photographs currently available at my print shot, in case you’re interested:

Click here to see more details.

[BTS] Snowed Under

Starting a new series today where I’ll be posting one image at a time, and sharing a story “Behind The Shot”, that could be something technical, a challenge, or just an anecdote from the day of. Feel free to explore past entries by clicking here.

I’ve always been fascinated by New York City photographs during a snowstorm, but even though I’ve been living here for 7 years, it was only a couple of years ago that I started to venture myself out with my camera during snowstorms. For this particular shot, I found myself walking around DUMBO (in Brooklyn), and decided to try one of my favorite points of view completely covered in snow, and I couldn’t be happier with what I’ve got. This is looking under the Manhattan Bridge from the Brooklyn side. I rarely process my photographs in black and white, but there’s just something about it that makes it so timeless. You really can’t go wrong with that!

For the fellow Photography enthusiasts out there, here’s the equipment and settings used for this shot:

Fujifilm X-T2 + Fujinon 16-55mm 2.8 • 1/400 f/6.4 ISO 400

This is one of 10 photographs currently available at my print shot, in case you’re interested:

Just click here to see more details.

Quarantine Diaries: a conversation with Rogéria Vianna

(🇧🇷 Este texto está disponível na versão original PT/BR na segunda metade do post)

This is a series of conversations to explore how other artists and creatives are spending their time and energy during the quarantine. In today's episode: Rogéria Vianna.

(original picture by André Cunha)

(original picture by André Cunha)

» Tell us a little bit about yourself:

My name is Rogéria Vianna and I live in NYC since 2013. I’m a TV producer for shows like Manhattan Connection and Globo Notícia Américas. Besides that, I’m a partner in two companies: Duo Productions (in NYC) and Parla Marketing Digital (in Brasil). I’m also the author of the blog Vem Pra NY (or @vemprany on Instagram) where I give tips from the Big Apple that you can’t miss!

» How did the quarantine affect your work?

With the huge amount of activities I do, I didn’t get bored. I kept working normally from home, except for external videos shoots that we couldn’t do in the most critical months of the pandemic.

» Did you have any big plans for 2020 that you had to cancel or postpone it? what was the impact?

Since the beginning of the year, I had plans for opening these two companies that I am a partner. In the beginning, the pandemic paralyzed us, but in the end, we were able to visualize opportunities in both cases, so we kept going and opened it, going against the crisis. Another big challenge was to keep my Instagram active. Since I give tips about New York City, I couldn’t recommend restaurants, stores, or anything like that anymore. I had to change my approach a little bit and, besides the difficulties, I was able to go through this, keeping my daily posting rhythm. The biggest impact I had in this period was on my personal life: I lost my father to Covid-19.

» Since quarantine started, did you start any new projects, pick up any new hobbies, develop new abilities, etc?

I’ve been dedicating myself to studying a lot of the subjects related to my new businesses, and I’m finally having time to dedicate myself to cooking, which was never my strongest suit.

» If so, is there anywhere online we can see what you've been up to?

I end up trying recipes that I randomly see in the New York Times and on Instagram, like at @raizacostaofficial.

» Any advice for people who are losing their minds and looking for new things to do/try?

I’m a super active person and I confess that I didn’t think I would be able to survive the quarantine. In the first week, I got stuck and couldn’t do anything productive besides my obligations. After a while, I began to respect my own rhythm and look for other activities to spend my time in a better way. I started to do things I didn’t have room in my schedule to do before: meditating, reading a good book, watching movies, talking to friends, organizing my home. The best advice I can give is: don’t be too hard on yourself. If one day you wake up blue, wanting to spend the whole day laying down watching TV, it’s ok! The important thing is not to become your own enemy.

» Any tips on music to listen, books to read, film/tv shows to watch, anything like that?

I’ve been reading a lot and listening to Brené Brow’s podcasts, a big motivator for times like these. To watch, I really liked Self Made, Non-Orthodox, The Platform, The Great, and Tiger King.

» What are the best channels/social media for people to be following you?

The place I’m most active is on my Instagram, where I’ve been informing about the situation in NYC and also been doing a series of lives with different professionals.

🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷

» Conta um pouquinho sobre você?

Meu nome é Rogéria Vianna e moro em Nova York desde 2013. Sou produtora de TV, produzindo os programas Manhattan Connection e Globo Notícia Américas, da Globo Internacional. Além disso, sou sócia de duas empresas: a produtora Duo Productions (em Nova York) e a Parla Marketing Digital (no Brasil). Também sou autora do blog Vem pra NY (@vemprany no Instagram) onde dou dicas imperdíveis da Big Apple. Ufa!

» Como a quarentena afetou o seu trabalho?

Com o tanto de atividades que exerço, não teve tédio. Continuei trabalhando quase normalmente de casa, exceto por filmagens externas que não conseguimos fazer nos meses mais críticos da pandemia.

» Você tinha algum grande plano pra 2020 que você teve que cancelar ou adiar? Qual foi o impacto na sua vida?

Desde o início do ano, tinha planos de abrir as duas empresas das quais sou sócia. A princípio, a pandemia nos paralisou, mas no fim das contas, conseguimos visualizar oportunidades em ambos os casos, então seguimos em frente e abrimos, remando contra a maré da crise. Outro desafio foi manter meu Instagram ativo. Como dou dicas de Nova York, não poderia mais indicar restaurantes, lojas, nada disso. Precisei mudar um pouco minha abordagem e, apesar da dificuldade, consegui passar por esse período mantendo o meu ritmo de postagens diárias. O maior impacto que sofri nesse período foi na minha vida pessoal: perdi meu pai, vítima de Covid.

» Desde que a quarentena começou, você começou a trabalhar em algum projeto novo, um novo hobby, novas habilidades, etc?

Tenho me dedicado a estudar bastante assuntos relacionados às minhas novas empreitadas e finalmente estou tendo tempo de me dedicar mais à culinária, que nunca foi meu forte.

» Se sim, tem algum lugar online onde a gente pode saber mais informações sobre?

Eu acabo fazendo receitas que vejo aleatoriamente no New York Times e no Instagram, como no perfil da @raizacostaofficial.

» Algum conselho para as pessoas que possam estar enlouquecendo e procurando por coisas pra fazer/tentar?

Eu sou uma pessoa muito ativa e confesso que achei que não seria capaz de sobreviver à quarentena. Na primeira semana, paralisei e não consegui fazer nada produtivo além das minhas obrigações. Depois, fui respeitando meu próprio ritmo e procurando atividades para aproveitar bem meu tempo. Passei a fazer coisas para as quais não tinha espaço na agenda: meditar, ler um bom livro, assistir filmes, falar com amigos que estavam afastados, organizar minha casa. O melhor conselho que posso dar é: não se cobre. Se um dia acordar desanimado e quiser passar o dia deitado vendo TV, tudo bem. O importante é não se tornar seu próprio algoz.

» Alguma dica de discos pra ouvir, livros pra ler, filmes/series pra assistir, e coisas do tipo?

Tenho lido muito e ouvidos os podcasts da Brené Brown, motivadora para momentos como esses. Para assistir, gostei muito de Self Made, Non-Orthodox, The Platform, The Great e Tiger King.

» Quais são os melhores canais/redes para quem quiser te acompanhar?

O lugar onde sou mais ativa é no meu perfil do Vem pra NY no Instagram, onde estou informando sobre a situação de Nova York e tenho feito uma série de lives com profissionais de diversos segmentos:

if you enjoyed this conversation, you may enjoy the other ones from the series by clicking here.

NYC Pride 2019 with The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps

One year ago I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life, personally and professionally, when I accepted the invitation to join The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps marching at the NYC Pride Parade. It was not only my first time walking from beginning to end, but also my first time photographing the event officially. What an amazing opportunity to do so amongst such talented and incredible people. Unfortunately, the event got canceled this year, but I decided to post my favorite photos here as a way to celebrate, remember, and thank LGBAC for the opportunity! I just can’t wait for the day we’ll be able to go back to the streets and celebrate life again!

20190630_BigAppleCorpsBand_LeonardoMascaro-8736.jpg

And last, but definitely not least, here’s a showcase of the incredible audience who stands on the sidewalk and put out the real show!

A few words with Occurrence

Occurrence is the electronic music project of playwright Ken Urban and vocalists Cat Hollyer and Johnny Hager.

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Ken Urban: Blue Velvet. I think that movie influenced so much of what I understood about sound and visuals.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
KU: It's weird that so many bands I love are now touring again. Maybe Public Image Ltd during the Flowers of Romance period. 

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
KU: Not leave my apartment.

How would you describe your music in just one word?
KU: Iced.

(encore)

Where can people listen to your music online? 
KU: occurrencemusic.com and http://thepastwilllastforever.com/