April 30, 2008
March 26, 2008
March 14, 2008
March 11, 2008
February 20, 2008
February 18, 2008
February 07, 2008
December 19, 2007
December 18, 2007
December 03, 2007
November 30, 2007
November 29, 2007
November 27, 2007
November 21, 2007
November 14, 2007
November 13, 2007
November 12, 2007
November 09, 2007
Cobble
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Final pinhole snap for now.
The most difficult aspect of handling the camera is keeping it steady when I operate the shutter. This process largely consists of sliding a piece of cardboard to reveal the pinhole to let in the light and then to reverse the operation after enough time has elapsed. It is almost impossible to prevent some sort of camera movement leading to blur.
November 06, 2007
Pinhole 1
Red Hook, Brooklyn
I have been playing with a pinhole camera that I made out of a kit. Heavy duty cardboard...doublesided black tape...and a few key plastic parts.
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Gowanus, Brooklyn
The experience can only compare to shooting film when I was in college. Nerve wracking, unexpected and even a little thrilling.
These were shot with 400ASA Black and White. It was a clear and sunny day and my exposures were typically one to two seconds.
November 05, 2007
November 02, 2007
November 01, 2007
October 31, 2007
October 30, 2007
October 12, 2007
October 09, 2007
October 02, 2007
September 28, 2007
September 26, 2007
September 24, 2007
September 20, 2007
September 19, 2007
September 05, 2007
August 31, 2007
August 14, 2007
August 08, 2007
July 20, 2007
July 11, 2007
July 10, 2007
July 09, 2007
May 07, 2007
April 30, 2007
April 25, 2007
April 24, 2007
April 13, 2007
April 11, 2007
April 02, 2007
March 28, 2007
March 26, 2007
March 19, 2007
March 14, 2007
March 12, 2007
March 07, 2007
March 06, 2007
March 01, 2007
February 22, 2007
February 21, 2007
February 20, 2007
February 16, 2007
February 15, 2007
February 13, 2007
February 12, 2007
February 08, 2007
Mary Whalen
Crazy week. And obviously I had little time to post photos, but I wanted to bring attention to a project special to Red Hook and to the New York waterfront in general.
This past weekend, we were invited to visit the Mary Whalen, a former cargo ship, as it was being repaired at Dry Dock#1 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The ship is the future home of Port Side NY, a maritime museum to be docked in Red Hook. Surprisingly, there are few place in NYC, actually on the water, where you can learn about historical significance of such craft, the history of the working waterfront and the lasting significance of maritime workers today.
Despite frozen fingers and an icy terrain, we were free to wander the ship and dock after an informational tour. It is always incredible to see a boat out of water – you really can’t get a sense of the size of the craft unless it is in a dry dock.
The director of the organization, Carolina Salguero, is also an inspiration. Her passion is infectious and I look forward to helping in some capacity on this project in the future.
They are always looking for donations and volunteers. If you have any interest, please contact them directly.
Read more here about details of the repair work.
February 02, 2007
February 01, 2007
January 30, 2007
January 22, 2007
January 14, 2007
Behind the Shipyard
New York Shipyard
Red Hook, Brooklyn
These photos were all taken in the Spring of '06.
Note: I will be out of town for work this week. No posts. No email.
More shipyard photos after the jump...
January 12, 2007
Grave
Graving Dock, New York Shipyard
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Before the demolition of the New York Shipyard in Red Hook, I got some access.
The graving dock, above, is currently all that is left of the original structures.
The rest of my photos of the late buildings next week...
January 02, 2007
December 28, 2006
December 22, 2006
December 21, 2006
December 20, 2006
December 19, 2006
December 13, 2006
December 12, 2006
December 06, 2006
December 04, 2006
November 20, 2006
November 17, 2006
November 15, 2006
November 14, 2006
November 10, 2006
November 09, 2006
November 07, 2006
November 06, 2006
November 03, 2006
Window
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Brad Will, an independent filmmaker, was shot and killed last week in Mexico, documenting a teacher's strike. Regardless of your opinion on the issues involved with the strike or the Mexican forces, journalists (both corporate and independent) need to be protected. Very chilling.
Read about it here.
November 02, 2006
November 01, 2006
October 31, 2006
October 30, 2006
October 18, 2006
October 17, 2006
September 14, 2006
September 13, 2006
August 28, 2006
August 18, 2006
Player
Red Hook, Brooklyn
If there was ever a weekend to relax and watch a baseball game, this is the one.
In fact, I think I'll do just that.
August 15, 2006
August 03, 2006
July 27, 2006
July 26, 2006
July 25, 2006
July 20, 2006
July 18, 2006
July 13, 2006
July 10, 2006
July 06, 2006
July 05, 2006
July 03, 2006
June 16, 2006
June 15, 2006
June 02, 2006
Waterbound
Red Hook, Brooklyn
From our dark and damp dear rivers, we are heading out to the warm and salty Pacific. We expect to do lots of nothing...just relish the break and eachother.
It is honeymoon time so there will be no postings until we return in mid-June.
Enjoy these early days of summer.
Oh and go to the Red Hook Arts festival down at the end of Van Brunt street. It's this Saturday, June 3.
May 30, 2006
May 26, 2006
May 25, 2006
Shipyard Demo
Red Hook, Brooklyn
An enormous section of the shipyard was demolished yesterday. I have a day job, but if someone can get over there during the day with a videocamera, I suspect it would be quite a sight to see.
I only had a pocket camera with me so the photos after the jump may not be the best images, but they will certainly give you an idea of the destruction.
Wow.
May 23, 2006
May 22, 2006
May 18, 2006
May 17, 2006
Fairway
Red Hook, Brooklyn
This is an enormous day for Red Hook. Fairway opens. For nearly six years, I have heard the arguments for and against this store. I went to community meetings and had late night chats at Sonny's about development and traffic. I spoke to longtime residents who said it's about time. I spoke to teenagers who now have their first jobs.
I watched as the old sleeping bricks at the end of Van Brunt were eased awake with a tenderness that all our architectural treasures deserve. True, the structure was not adapted for maritime use. True, the process was plagued with questionable practices on both sides. But let us Red hook residents give thanks that it is not a gigantic blue and yellow pimple on our glorious waterfront, but a resource for the community in terms of smart preservation, good jobs, and urgently needed fresh food.
Alas, I am at work, so I will miss the actual opening. But my lovely wife will be among the first to sample their wares.
Do I need to mention that I looking forward to dinner?
May 16, 2006
May 15, 2006
May 12, 2006
May 11, 2006
May 03, 2006
Already Gone
Red Hook, Brooklyn
So much of the Ship Yard off the Erie Basin has already been demolished and it looks like they have saved the most impressive buildings for last.
I can already smell those Swedish meatballs...
April 28, 2006
April 21, 2006
April 19, 2006
April 18, 2006
April 17, 2006
April 14, 2006
April 12, 2006
April 11, 2006
April 06, 2006
March 31, 2006
Grain
Red Hook, Brooklyn
We went to the Good Fork last night for dinner to support Red Hook's newest eatery. It has a wonderful interior with a subtle maritime sweep of a ceiling, excellent service and good comfort food. I had braised pork on polenta and Corie had seared scallops. We shared a biiter greens salad with roasted beets and a tiny but tasty potato pancake.
I think the prices for the entrees are a bit high, but I figure they are necessary to offset the unneccessarily inflated Red Hook rents. We'll be back when we can.
If you are in the neighborhood, come check it out and at least have a drink and some wings. And for the record, I don't know anybody connected with the place, I just want to throw my support behind local businesses.
March 30, 2006
March 29, 2006
March 27, 2006
March 09, 2006
March 08, 2006
March 07, 2006
March 06, 2006
February 21, 2006
February 15, 2006
February 13, 2006
Tundra
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Finally, some snow. Perfect time for long underwear, furry hats, and warm lentils with bacon. Mmmm....bacon.
February 03, 2006
Chipper
Columbia Street, Brooklyn
Hey NYC folk! If someone shoves one of those NY Metro newspapers in your face as you walk out of the subway, grab one and check it out. Corie's site,Callalillie , is featured. Congrats, my dear.
February 02, 2006
January 24, 2006
Cranes
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Request of the week:
It's time to stretch my photographic muscles. And to take advantage of the interactivity that underlies this medium. I want readers/viewers of this site to email me words, subjects, themes, ideas or questions to consider through photography as I go through the days ahead. Send me anything you want...just inspire me to react, seek and document.
Challenge me.
Send suggestions to: avrobie*at*aol.com
January 23, 2006
The letter R
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Please spare me an a moment of your time. Read on...
It's time to stretch my photographic muscles. And to take advantage of the interactivity that underlies this medium. I want readers/viewers of this site to email me words, subjects, themes, ideas or questions to consider through photography as I go through the days ahead. Send me anything you want...just inspire me to react, seek and document.
Challenge me.
Send suggestions to: avrobie*at*aol.com
January 20, 2006
January 18, 2006
January 17, 2006
January 13, 2006
January 12, 2006
December 23, 2005
December 22, 2005
December 21, 2005
December 19, 2005
December 15, 2005
December 09, 2005
Tiburon
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Still no internet connection at home and I am in between cameras, but next week, things should start hopping again on this site.
November 22, 2005
Break
Red Hook, Brooklyn
This has been an insane couple of weeks for us as you can read all about on Corie's site. Our new apartment is ready for habitation. Our move has been scheduled. The cats are getting ready for the stacking.
And the holiday season is almost here. I am really looking forward to some good food, time with my family, and maybe even a weekend which we can simply enjoy...take a walk, go to a museum, or just sleep in. Plus I am finally getting a new camera.
The posts will be sporadic for the next few days.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I suggest making this to celebrate properly.
November 21, 2005
November 18, 2005
November 17, 2005
November 16, 2005
November 15, 2005
November 14, 2005
November 11, 2005
November 10, 2005
Red Hook Flower III
Red Hook, Brooklyn
For my dear, during these trying weeks.
A beautiful life can burst forth regardless of obstacles.
November 09, 2005
November 08, 2005
November 07, 2005
November 02, 2005
November 01, 2005
October 04, 2005
September 19, 2005
September 15, 2005
July 16, 2005
July 14, 2005
Seahorse
Red Hook, Brooklyn
I took a few photos when I was back home, which I will post in the days to come.
After a very long day of travel, I am back in Miami, my city of mayhem. The wet air slapped me in the face as I left the airport. Different car -- it drives lower to the ground. The city's skyline was lit up just as I left her as 95 drew me back in.
I moved into the same tall building of corporate apartments. The white walled apartment has a slightly different layout, the same plastic tree and a much better view. I am on a higher floor and I face the bay. I can see the port of Miami, where the container cranes remind me of Brooklyn.
I checked in with my office and unpacked. I bought some groceries. I tried to get some sleep.
July 12, 2005
May 22, 2005
March 16, 2005
March 05, 2005
February 23, 2005
February 04, 2005
January 23, 2005
January 22, 2005
January 10, 2005
January 06, 2005
Beard street before the fall
Beard Street. Fall 2004
I know that I have more Beard Street photos that I will post as soon as I have time to look through my archives. Over the last five years, I started taking photos of many buildings in my surrounding South Brooklyn neighborhoods to document the changes in the urban landscape. However many were shot on 35mm and need to be scanned. And the digital ones are scattered through hundreds of folders, as of yet untitled except for meaningless numbers.
In my mind, many of these images are a part of a larger project that I have been slow to get off the ground. The photos are just the beginning as I am ultimately interested in supporting them with history and memories.
This latest change in my immediate environment motivates me to find the time to get this going. Stay tuned...
On a side note, Corie and I are currently researching and developing a project regarding the haunting, yet beautiful Brooklyn Navy Yard officer quarters.If you haven't already looked at the amazing information that Corie has uncovered, please do.
January 04, 2005
Beard Street
I was at work in Manhattan when I read that the old red brick buildings on Beard Street in Red Hook were being demolished to make way for an IKEA parking lot. As soon as I could get away, I headed to the desolate street, where I have gone so many times before to get a glimpse of the past.
I am not against development. I do not think it is possible to preserve every historical detail in a city that must change to reflect society's needs and changes. However I do think that in the name of progress there are times when significant segments of our common history are lost. Once certain structures are demolished that physically embody truths that may distort with memory or fade with generations, those stories are truly gone forever. I wonder if even documentation like photos or writings still can not hold a spirit like a building.
IKEA has not finished the city development/rezoning process to build their store on this property yet. I do not know why they cannot wait for official sanction. They said that the buildings are not safe. This is probably true, but they are not accessible, so what's the point?
Why do I care? They remind me of other times. They put my time in perspective. They put my labor in perspective. They remind me of the ship builders that came to Red Hook and gave it life. When they went dark, they have reminded me on cold nights how empty a street can be. Maybe IKEA thinks that its big blue and yellow box, not red brick, will bring new life to my neighborhood.
I hope these changes will challenge anti-development activists to reconsider their criticisms of developers like Greg O'Connell who while bringing new energy to Red Hook (Fairway for example) have tried to preserve the historical physical spaces.
When I got to Beard Street, I saw that only a segment of one of the buildings had been demolished. It happened to be the best one on the block with great brick arches. A swoon even graced its surface. There is plywood scaffolding covering the lower part, but I could see by looking through cracks that the demolition is limited to just the upper left side.
Now, there is a jagged brick edge and silhouettes of criss-crossed beams (metal or wood? I could not tell). My first reaction when I saw it was to remember the remnants of a bombed church I saw in Berlin. I don't know which is worst seeing the torn open side of the city's historical soul, or the empty lot to come that will pave over any memory.
Check out Curbed and Brownstoner on IKEA and Beard Street.
December 24, 2004
November 10, 2004
New York Dock Company
160 Imlay street, Fall 2003
160 Imlay street, Fall 2004
Red Hook's 160 Imlay street is the potential future site for 150 units of luxury condos adjacent to the Container Port of Brooklyn. As reported in the NY Post, a judge halted the development after there were concerns by the local maritime industry about a rush to the residential.
From my living room, I can see this building, a structure that initially attracted me to the neighborhood. As you come down Van Brunt Street, which runs one block East parallel to Imlay, the six story monolith sets the tone for the rest of the hook - old and crumbling, beautiful and mighty.
A couple years ago, I stopped inside to try to get access to the roof. It was a warehouse for a publishing company then, getting ready to be sold to a big time Brooklyn developer. I asked a random worker if it would continue to be used for warehousing. He laughed and said doubtful. He said that only a fool would buy this to store stuff, this baby was going to be flipped.
I woke one morning when they started to jackhammer out the walls to reveal the skeleton of structural columns inside. How many memories flew to sea as the plaster flaked to the asphalt below?
I wonder if the potential new tenants will be able to handle their port neighbors. Those skyscraper cranes that move the containers can go all night, they are not quiet and they won't stop for a million dollar penthouse.
Curbed and Brownstoner on 160 Imlay
