M A Andrew Black and White Photography Blog » New York

Bryant Park New York Black and White

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:30:25 +0000

In 1686, when the area was still a wilderness, New York’s colonial governor, Thomas Dongan, designated the area now known as Bryant Park as a public space. George Washington’s troops crossed the area while retreating from the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Beginning in 1823, Bryant Park was designated a potter’s field (a graveyard for the poor) and remained so until 1840, when thousands of bodies were moved to Wards Island.

The first park at this site opened in 1847 as Reservoir Square. It was named after its neighbor, the Croton Distributing Reservoir. In 1853, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations with the New York Crystal Palace, featuring thousands of exhibitors, took place in the park.

The square was used for military drills during the American Civil War, and was the site of some of the New York Draft Riots of July 1863, when the Colored Orphan Asylum at Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street was burned down.

In 1884, Reservoir Square was renamed Bryant Park, to honor the New York Evening Post editor and abolitionist William Cullen Bryant. In 1899, the Reservoir building was removed and construction of the New York Public Library building began. Terraces, public facilities, and kiosks were added to the park. This photograph was taken in 2009.

Bryant Park, New York Black and White

Central Park Benches Black and White

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:41:45 +0000

This photograph was taken in the middle of Central Park, in 2009. Apparently New Yorkers cleared acres and acres of swampland to put in this oasis of calm in the middle of one of the worlds busiest cities.
New York Central Park Black and White

Wall Street New York Sepia

admin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:21:20 +0000

This photograph was taken at the end of Wall St in 2009. Wall Street gets its name from the fact that it used to denote the end of Manhattan island when the first Europeans settled there. After this wall, the rest of Manhattan was aswampy mess

wall street new york

Radio City – New York City Black and White

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:29:07 +0000

This was taken in New York City in 2009.

Radio City Black and White

Times Square, New York Black and White Photography

admin — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:01:32 +0000

When I was younger I remember reading On The Road by Jack Kerouac and always imagined what Times Square was like. Originally the square was known as Longacre Square but was renamed after the New York Times moved into the square in 1904.

Times Square, New York Black and White

Statue of liberty, New York Black and White

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:57:51 +0000

The statue of libery was gift to the people of America from the people of France. The statue is made of copper and this explains the green appearance. As the copper oxidises over time, it turns green.

Statue of Liberty in Black and White

New York Traffic Light Shot

admin — Sun, 15 May 2011 12:34:46 +0000

Traffic Light Shot New York

In New York, 2009. This image is a bit of a cliche but I like it – particularly for the backdrop of 1930s faded adverts on the old building gable end. I think this shot was taken around 7th Avenue and 42nd Street – not far from Times Square.

Bryant Park New York

admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:47:12 +0000

Bryant Park is a nice pleasant surprise. One minute you are scrambling around the concrete skyscrapers of New York, the next minute a lovely tranquil park space opens up. Its not big by any stretch of the imagination but it is certainly relaxing and a welcome respite from the hum of busy New Yorkers

New York City - Bryant Park

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Alternative shot of the Brooklyn Bridge

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:37:50 +0000

On the Brooklyn side I wandered around Dumbo. For the uninitiated, this is the Developments Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. From here, I started to think about ways in which I could shoot the Bridge from different, less traditional places. In the end, I headed back to Manhattan and shot this from a Helipad further South of the Bridge.

In New York, The Brooklyn Bridge

More of my black and white photography can be found on my main site by clicking here.

Street Scene, Manhattan, New York

admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:47:17 +0000

Shot this in Manhattan just south of Central Park. Today’s interesting fact: Central Park was built on bog land. I don’t know where I picked up this fact but I am pretty certain it is true.

Manhattan Island, New York

More of my photography can be found by clicking here.