I posted my first ELW Gallery about a month ago! Time flies even in a pandemic. Here is a brief update from New York City….
July 10, 2020—New York Phase III—Outdoor Dining Began this past Monday. Indoor Dining was cancelled. All events in the city are off through September.
A few words before presenting my second gallery of photos from the city that now sleeps. Yes, there are more cars again, more people not concerned enough about Covid.
The young will pay a hefty price for their natural feelings of invincibility.
Our politicians are challenged on more than just the Covid front. Race and Justice are now exposed again.
People are justifiable in their needs during this crisis.
I have walked almost every day to keep sane myself.
New Yorkers need more physical space.
I hope my photos of a mostly empty Central Park help you to escape as I did for a little while…
Welcome to the second gallery of photography featuring images of a newly quiet New York City.
For photographers cloudy skies are optimal. My first trips to the park provided an opportunity to record images of a place usually bustling with visitors devoid of humans, What remains is the beauty of the place itself. L—R: Entrance path with newly designed receptacles adding to the human made components of the park. The Delacorte Theater, home to free Shakespeare performances in dormancy. A monument resembling another in Washington, D.C. just outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
L—R: Trees of several species populate the park. Their shapes and size provide great opportunity for wonderful images. Belvedere Castle with one of my favorite apartment buildings with its twin appearance and shared namesake. A teardrop shaped tunnel in route to the Castle and Theater. Note how deserted the tunnel was during an early afternoon!
L—R: The ballfields are off limits. Early Spring weather brought out the serious sunbathers. The middle image shows a family on a socially distant bike ride. And another family doing the same in the last image sans bikes. I found joy in the fact that the child looked happy. I love that there are still kids in overalls!
L—R: A family leaving after their bike ride. Another group on a path below the Reservoir not distancing. On the lawn aiming for socially distant games.As of this writing the city is in the midst of Summer. The challenges of Covid are pressing everyone no matter their circumstances.
On any weekday I witnessed New Yorkers attempting to make the best of this crisis. L—R: The locked gates of a playground adjacent to the Childrens gate entrance to the park. A boy struggles to use his bike on a hilly path inside the park. A dog owner on the phone while her pooch stands guard.
What’s Normal?
As I stroll around the park, walk down 5th Avenue, and any number of differing paths I note a strong feeling of loss. There is also feelings of hope and escape from a newly quieted city.
L—R: Signs remind us everyday this crisis is far from over. The reservoir image is a picture that on a normal day in the past would have been difficult due to the volume of runners usually present. Now there are very few people. On the far right is a path of steps. Where do they lead? The park’s beauty and mystery have become accentuated during these pandemic times.
New Eyes
As a trained photographer you see the world around you with new eyes every day. During this period of extreme crisis this ability is heightened. The next set of images was taken from the July 4th Holiday and beyond.
Joggers, Walkers, and the distracted alike. Summer in the city.
Architecture of Central Park
I always take notice of details that seem to be missed by people busy with every activity except looking. The interior of the park has gorgeous designs both natural and man made.
You can still see plenty of sky if you know where to look. Most city people never look up. The person seen here is just walking. Not once ever looking up at the beauty of the naked sky.
Conditions Change
(L)—(R) The empty tennis courts would be full this time of year. The skies in the middle image on a different day. Casting the buildings below in shadow, and the clouds on the right are superb. The railing is a reminder that the entirety of the park was built by people.
Tropical Storm Fay Is Pounding The City Today: 3 Inches Of Rain Expected. We need it badly.
Keep Your Distance
(L)—(R): A woman was playing with her adorable dog, two strangers apart, and a couple walking their dog with a newly realized conscious to stay 6 feet apart!
Evan's Gate 
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