Life from the Carry-out

Urban city life is never complete without fulfilling the prophecy of "hurry up and wait."  Whether it's the daily work commute, trying to rushi up the stairs behind tourists, or waiting in the longest checkout line at the grocery store when you only went in for two items.This lesson is constantly reinforced when ordering from the local Chinese spot in my neighborhood.

What better way to pass the time than a few quick portrait series headshots:

December 18, 2014, 19:18

December 18, 2014, 19:19

Philadelphia: A Photographic Retrospective of a Short Visit

All New York City residents know or quickly find out that it's imperative to take a break from the "city life" whenever it's possible.  Some people spend summer weekends in The Hamptons.  Some take resort weekends and ski trips to the Adirondacks or the Poconos.  I chose to take two days off from the overcrowded, bustling megalopolis that is the Tri-State area, to spend time in the moderately less crowded metropolis that is Philadelphia.

Here is a quick Retrospective that captures this beautiful city through my lens.  I shot with a Canon T3 Rebel and edited the photos using Virtual Supply Company's VSCOcam app with the Analog 5 filter and low color saturation.  I thought the more monochromatic palette would give a deeper depth to the images and I believe that it worked out well.  Enjoy...

- Esoteric

Monument or Trophy

American History

Art & Culture = Tourists

The House that Rodin Sculpted

Streets That Could Have Been Alleys

Heritage

"Please Don't Put Any Trash Here"

Side Streets: Where Life Happens

Dream Garden

West Philadelphia's Baltimore

JFK Boulevard

7tb & Arch

All Day?

Only 2 Ways Out

Stainless

Broad Street Bully

Connections

Relics

Urban Decay

Time Capsule

Still Shooting

Need a photographer?  I'm still working on finding my artistic touch in the form of photography.  The past few months, I've been taking the time to really invest in my craft and it's beginning to pay off.  I've booked a couple of paying jobs and I'm ready for more.  It's fun to allow the world to see life through my eyes.

Call Me, I'll do the Shooting...

Swiss Breakfast

While discovering a new breakfast dining spot in SoHo, that will definitely be revisited numerous times in the future, I took the time to capture the essence of the beauty of the ambience.

La Femme de la Ville

Café Select is a great way to begin the day before taking to the bustling shopping district streets of SoHo.

- Keilon

The Perfect Block

New York City can be a constant visual overload; which in my opinion is why it works so well for film making and videography. The viewer is constantly engaged by not only the subject but also the environment of said subject.  However, when it comes to my idea of photography, I prefer a less is more approach.

While strolling between villages in Manhattan (West Village into Greenwich Village), bar hopping, I chose to take a quieter, less scenic route between busy avenues and arrived at this gem of an intersection:

Minetta Triangle, Manhattan, NYC

I was taken with the simplistic beauty (reoccurring theme of mine) of this environment.  Although it's in the midst of a very popular party and entertainment district, it manages to retain it's quiet charm.  Additionally, the melodramatic artificial glow on the block personified the after midnight diminishing ambience of the moment.  I was reminded of the heavy footsteps upon concrete echoing back in the night that I experienced in an equally as charming southern setting in the city of Charleston, South Carolina some years back.

This environment has inspired me to finally decide upon a setting for a short film drama that I've already written which is in need of a location. I look forward to re-imagining inspiration on this side street.

Lady in the Meadow

When I think of the the American Midwest, aside from the bustling metropolis of Chicago, I think of the beauty and majesty of the the natural environment. The generally flat lands and rolling meadows that define much of the landscape outside of the region's major cities, and sometimes even within them, dominates the perspective. Case in point, this shot that I took along the embankment (technically someone's backyard)  of Fall Creek in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lady in the Meadow, Indianapolis, Indiana

Whenever I see this photo, I'm reminded of the simplistic beauty that life and nature provides us each day.  Embrace life and God bless.

- Esoteric

Summer Evenings...

I'm looking forward to warmer, and maybe even hot, weather later this year. I'll trade baking in the sun for sunsets like this again.

Late Summer Sunset on Chelsea Piers in Manhattan:

Trains to Stations

3.20.2014

It was a beautiful day in the city...but being underground and beneath ceilings have their perks as well.

This is just a couple views caught beneath Lafayette and Spring streets in SoHo and a pit stop to pick up a friend at Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan.

~ Esoteric

Across 110th Street...

*cues Bobby Womack's iconic theme music*

This is simply an excerpt in a day in the life.  All shots taken and lightly edited by me using a wonderful instrument called an iPhone 5 and a fun easy to use app called VSCOcam courtesy of Visual Supply Co.

110th Street - Duke Ellington Circle, Manhattan, NYC

Viaduct at 103rd and Park Avenue, Manhattan, NYC

Thank you to my partner and muse for letting me be her paparazzi per usual.

Also check out my slowly evolving grid at esotericislike.vsco.co for more images that I've shot and edited. And do check out more information and products on Visual Supply Co's official website.

Studio Sessions...

I've officially created a studio set-up and am looking to book clients.  I'm available for studio sessions including portrait work and headshots for portfolios, lookbooks, product/merchandise displays, etc.  The studio set-up is mobile and I will travel to you for the right price.  Lastly, I am available for event photography.  

Serious inquiries only at amiesoteric@gmail.com

- Esoteric

Street Corner Stories

She's so Brooklyn these days...a story whispered in the wind against walls...normally at night.

- Esoteric

Earlier Photography Recap

2.21.2014

A Rainy Day in New York City / SoHo, Manhattan, NYc

Manhattan to Brooklyn via a Bridge

2.26.2014

Winter Just Won't Let Go