New York City Photo: Chelsea

A New York City photo showing buildings in the Chelsea District of Manhattan. Photo by Donald Peterson.

New York City Photos: Buildings in Eveningg Light

This New York City photo shows a beautifully lit building in midtown Manhattan. It is not easy to capture a sharp image of the moon in the background at slow shutter speeds. It’s moving too fast! This is one of my favorite times of the day to shoot in New York, just after sunset while there is still a bit of color in the sky.

New York City Photo: Times Square Ticket Seller

This New York City photo shows a ticket seller in Times Square, on 42nd Street. These fellows sell tickets to the double decker style tour buses that show tourists highlights of the city. They work on commission, and work hard. I was intrigued by how the light captured and isolated this one fellow, as if seemingly on stage. The light and color pulled my eye into this scene!

Phoenix, Arizona Photos: Dust Storm in Papago Park

Phoenix, Arizona Photos: American Widgeon Duck, Papago Park

Phoenix, Arizona Photos: Red rock buttes at sunset, Papago Park

These three Phoenix Arizona (AZ) Photos show the range of beauty seen in Papago Park, in Phoenix, Arizona. Looking more like a distant planet’s terrain than an urban space, it is a desert park in the full sense of the word. From imposing red rock buttes to appealing fishing lagoons it is a delightful if oddly adorned city park. In these three photos you see a dust storm, a setting sun, and a winter visitor to this Phoenix park. Photos by Donald Peterson.

New Mexico Photos: Jemez, New Mexico in beautiful light

This New Mexico Photo shows a view of the red rock of Jemez Mountains, New Mexico adorned with beautiful sunlight. The Jemez is one of my favorite destinations in New Mexico, blessed with a amazing diversity of quietly beautiful natural features. This setting is from the red rock buttes on the Jemez Pueblo.

New York City Photo: 42nd Street, NYC

In this New York City photo 42nd Street is awash in bright lights of the Times Square District. This area has of New York is known for entertainment and shopping, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

Central Park Dairy Visitor Center, New York City

This New York City Photo shows the Central Park Dairy Visitor Center, in Central Park, New York City. The Dairy was built in the midst of an interesting historical context. In the 1850s, residential Manhattan reached only as far north as 38th Street. During that time, New York City suffered milk scandals; some tainted milk from cows in the southern parts of the City that were fed brewery mash instead of hay was being sold commercially throughout the City. Cholera outbreaks in the densely-populated areas sent anxious families in search of healthier environments for their children, and by the time the Dairy opened 20 years later, milk was fresh and regulated. Olmsted and Vaux, developers of the park, built the dairy in 1871 to provide children traveling a long distance to the park with a fresh glass of cool milk. Today, it serves as a gift shop and historical exhibit center.

New York City Photos: Flatiron Building,

This New York City photo shows a stylized view of the Flatiron Building in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Captured in pre-sunset golden light, it is fronted by the Fifth Avenue Building Clock in Madison Square. The Flatiron Building was New York’s first skyscraper and is still one of its most unique structures with its v-shaped floorplan. Photo by Donald Peterson.

New York City Photo: Times Square, New York City

This New York City photo shows yet another view of Times Square in New York City. As a photographer, I am drawn to color first and foremost. It is inevitable therefore that the colors of Times Square will draw me in. However, I am now making a willful effort to seek out more organic locations in NYC for photography. Like the empty calories of fast food, I find Times Square emotionally unnourishing. It does not feed the soul in the way that landscape and nature photography does.

Times Square is the exposed, beating heart of modern culture. We are consumers. What an unpleasant word! Our lives are valued, defined, and driven by how much we consume. I find it rather ironic that a number of prominent investment and financial firms have surprisingly gaudy offices and advertising in Times Square. I suppose they are there for the same reason. To consume.

New York City Photos: Times Square, Target Stores Billboard

This New York City photo shows a colorful Target Stores billboard in Times Square, New York City. This view is as seen from 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. Photo by Donald Peterson.