The Heidelberger Papers

Night Approaching

2012-02-12T19:05:00.001-05:00

←BDD3S

2012-02-11T21:41:00.002-05:00

Very early commute in an empty Herald Square station...

York York York York York

2012-02-07T17:48:00.002-05:00

Just which station do you think this was taken? For those readers that are not familiar New York, this station is located along the F / 6th Avenue Line in Brooklyn. This photo is best if viewed larger, you may click this image to do so.

Umbra

2012-02-06T19:13:00.001-05:00

Winter sunlight induced visual occlusion of an indistinct highrise in downtown Brooklyn.

NYC, Rearranged

2012-02-05T22:32:00.002-05:00

Going this day forward, the Brooklyn Bridge shall be rerouted to Midtown, the Manhattan Bridge to Battery Park, and a few major skyscrapers will also be relocated. What fun one can have with double exposures. Taken from the Brooklyn Bridge Park / Empire-Fulton Ferry Park / Dumbo area of Brooklyn. When the Superbowl is going on, this is what I do.

The Shadow Economy

2012-02-05T19:14:00.002-05:00

Just one of many indicators of hard times in the US and world economy. Taken near Fulton and Flatbush in downtown Brooklyn.

Formerly the Tunnel to Nowhere

2012-02-04T21:16:00.001-05:00

Until the F/63rd Street line was connected to the main Queens Blvd line in the early 2000s, F trains terminated here. Since it was the only stop into Queens from Manhattan, the project was known as the tunnel to nowhere.

Discount Tile, Access to Jay-Z, and Shirt/banner matching combo

2012-01-31T18:08:00.004-05:00

For better or worse, the transformation of Prospect Heights, and downtown Brooklyn as a whole, continues. Taken near 5th and Flatbush, near the Atlantic Yards project.

The Livery Life

2012-01-29T22:18:00.003-05:00

Many livery drivers may now respond to hails outside of, and some parts of Manhattan. This shot was photographed near the corner of Flatbush and Fulton in downtown Brooklyn.

Atlantic Avenue

2012-01-28T16:10:00.003-05:00

This is one of those places I've walked by countless times, but have never given it much photographic attention; an issue I remedied this afternoon. Taken at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush in downtown Brooklyn.

Local Scale

2012-01-26T21:37:00.002-05:00

Demonstrating the somewhat more human scale perspective that is the Brooklyn neighborhood. Taken in Cobble Hill.

Original Nath--s

2012-01-25T20:41:00.003-05:00

Continuing the fine tradition of neon sign hangman, this time at the Nathans at Stillwell and Surf in Coney Island.

BBQ after SMOKE JOINT

2012-01-23T20:06:00.002-05:00

The proper order of events seem to be in the proper sequence here, even if the snow harshes things a bit. Taken near Fulton and Lafayette in the Ft. Greene area of Brooklyn.

Foot of the Bridge Photography I, The Manhattan Side

2012-01-22T16:28:00.001-05:00

This post is a collection of scenes from the foot of the 59th / Queensboro / Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge on the Manhattan side of the East River.

Crowded skyline view full of fire escapes, bridges, pylons, signs, cables, and air conditioners. Taken from 60th street, near 1st Avenue.

I have to admit, the wonderful blur here was actually an accident, courtesy of a large smudge on the lens. Taken at the corner of 60th and 3rd.

The Roosevelt Island skyline, Roosevelt Island Tram, and the bridge taken from the East River Waterfront Esplanade.

Demonstrating the scale of perspective that is New York City. Manhattan, the FDR, East River, Queens, Brooklyn, and many other NYC items all under the watchful eye of the Queensboro Bridge.

Light-Vomit II

2012-01-21T11:00:00.002-05:00

Blurry and overexposed in the East Village.

C Train Blur I and II

2012-01-18T22:01:00.001-05:00

See the oldest subway car in revenue operation, coming into that station where Michael Jackson shot his “Bad” music video. Living in the past today, and whenever possible. For those not familiar, this is an R32 subway car at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station in downtown Brooklyn.

The Subway Scene from Pitch Black (which was cut in post-production)

2012-01-16T17:31:00.004-05:00

Taken from the 62nd /New Utrect subway complex near the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bensonhurst and Borough Park.

Myrtle Live Poultry Pollo Vivo

2012-01-15T10:53:00.001-05:00

Taken on Myrtle Avenue where Bed Stuy borders Bushwick in Brooklyn. This photo contains quite a bit of detail, click the image to view larger sizes,

Greenpoint Winter Flashback

2012-01-14T12:21:00.002-05:00

There may not be snow on the ground this time around, but it feels just as cold. Taken from Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn.

The Great Subway Swamp-Ass Stamp Out

2012-01-12T20:17:00.001-05:00

This would probably be much more appropriate in the dead-middle of July, but you never know when the malady might strike. Like anything, the Goldilocks principle applies; not too dry, not too wet, but just right. Fresh graffiti in the Bowery Station on the Nassau line in Manhattan.

31st Street Surreal Lights and Rail

2012-01-08T15:27:00.002-05:00

Low horizon, winter lighting always delivers interesting photos. These photographs were taken on 31st Street, between Astoria and Ditmars Blvd in Queens.

An Amtrak train from the foot of the Hellgate Bridge as it passes over an N Train coming into the Astoria-Ditmars station.

An old interlocking/signal station that is still standing, a much more substantial one is now over at the terminus station by Ditmars.

Brrrrrrrrrrrooklyn

2012-01-07T18:57:00.003-05:00

Well ok, its in the mid to upper 50's today, but when this photo was taken a few days ago, it was much colder. Taken at the corner of Boerum and Dean, where the neighborhoods of Boerum/Cobble Hill neighborhoods border each other.

Colorful in Queens

2012-01-05T21:21:00.003-05:00

Its been a while since I posted anything relating to trains, rail, stations or transit of any kind, so here we go. This saturated shot was captured from the platform of the 82nd Street station (7 Train) in Jackson Heights.

Winter-Deli

2012-01-04T17:09:00.004-05:00

A very cold day on Bedford Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn...

AutoCondo

2012-01-02T17:59:00.001-05:00

I typically find parking garages to be a monotonous necessary evil within cities. There are however, exceptions I’ve spotted in many different places I’ve visited. This parking garage on Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan is one of those exceptions. Unlike many distinctive garages that sport an architecturally distinctive façade, its minimalistic and dense (but slender) frame gives it a certain grace. In my humble opinion of course.

Come On, Lets Go

2012-01-01T15:49:00.001-05:00

A dog waits patiently as his owner spends an extended amount of time giving attention to his other pet. Taken on Smith Street, near Bergen in the Boerum/Cobble Hill area of Brooklyn.

Its All Here

2011-12-31T15:44:00.002-05:00

Just about every classic architectural New York City feature is composed in this photo. Taken on Nassau Street, near Fulton in Lower Manhattan.

Yellow Means Hurry

2011-12-29T20:39:00.001-05:00

The Brooklyn Bridge gets all the glory, but the Manhattan Bridge gets to be the subject of my photographs.

One WTC, Going Up

2011-12-27T18:57:00.002-05:00

The current progress of One World Trade Center as of late-December, 2011.

Coney Island Skyline

2011-12-26T15:37:00.001-05:00

Taken from the Steeplechase Pier…

Sexiness on the East River

2011-12-23T00:18:00.001-05:00

Taken under the FDR, near the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan...

Untitled

2011-12-20T20:05:00.002-05:00

Holiday Greetings from the South Street Seaport

2011-12-18T00:41:00.002-05:00

Taken from the corner of Pearl and Fulton Street, in one of the oldest and most preserved historic districts in New York City.

Its Sexy…

2011-12-15T23:18:00.002-05:00

Time has been a commodity that has been in short supply as of late, so in response to this, many of my photographs have been taken in my own neighborhood. This shot is no exception.

Taken near De Kalb in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn.

Gotcha

2011-12-11T21:30:00.004-05:00

Anyone familiar with this blog probably knows that candid shots don't make regular appearances. I have trouble being discreet in just about everything I do and lets not even discuss my timing, but I do like the way this one came out. Taken in my neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Untitled

2011-12-10T11:12:00.003-05:00

Near the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn.

Invocation of the Two Way Dialog, OR: Sophomoric Display via a Sharpie

2011-12-04T22:15:00.001-05:00

Let embark on yet another journey of that which is fit for the lowest common denominator. Ad defacement is a way of life in the New York City subway system. Their presence in the system proper is so ubiquitous in fact, that these defacements are really the only reason I notice the ads to begin with. Some of these graffiti artists that end up getting busted make claims that what they do goes beyond mere vandalism of public property, but since we get bombarded with these ads, they claim to turn them into a two way dialog. I, yours truly, doesn’t quite know about that, but I will tell you that some of these lowbrow scrawlings have been known to lighten up my commute.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, some of the material here may be considered offensive by some individuals. If you are one of those types, you may want to look away from this one.

Ooooooh, how subversive. You could have just drawn a basic phallus and left it at that, but you sir (assuming the artist is male) are a complicated man. Admittedly, I do kind of see the logic in this; the expression of the subject bares that of a subtle wince of someone who is receiving micturition from a third party (relationship notwithstanding).

More vulgar subway a defacements involving women! This ‘gem’ was found at station in my very own neighborhood. Hmmm, I wonder what the artist is trying to express here? Perhaps it’s someone conveying their dissatisfaction with the crass commercialization of Christmas? Maybe it’s the work of a tortured misogynistic soul who compulsively scrawls on subway ads? Could it be a sophomoric teenager with Satan worshiping tendencies sporting a broad tipped sharpie? Either way, how could I once again resist the lowest common denominator. Needless to say, you will probably have to view this photo large.

Air travel with an enlightened, accepting philosophy. Forget politics and legislative changes promoting equality, the only thing the LGBT community really needs is someone with a sharpie riding on the C Train. This photo should also be viewed large to see the detail.

Post-Parade 7th Avenue Wondering

2011-12-03T14:04:00.001-05:00

About the time we completed our Thanksgiving lunch on 6th Avenue, the Parade was clearing out on 7th. The street was still blocked off and people were taking advantage of that…

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:26:00.001-05:00

Coney Island Boardwalk after Dark

2011-11-23T10:48:00.001-05:00

The Rock

2011-11-19T21:37:00.001-05:00

Taken from Queens Boulevard in the Elmhurst area...

Autumn Come to Coney Island

2011-11-13T18:11:00.001-05:00

Coney Island can become extremely crowded during the hotter days of the year, but now…Its quite serene. Walk around in mid November at sunset and you will find fisherman, joggers, and fellow photographers.

I definitely wanted to get a shot of waves breaking and Steeplechase Pier in the background. What I didn’t want to do was underestimate the tide and have freezing water soak me up to my knees (which, if you haven’t figured out already, happened).

Many of the shops (including Ruby’s) along the boardwalk are in the process of being evicted to make room for development.

Jetty and Seagull I

Jetty and Seagull II

I offer my apologies for the sparse blogging, I’ve been crazy busy as of late.

Alone at 18

2011-11-06T20:27:00.001-05:00

Along the Culver Line (F Train) in the Borough Park area of Brooklyn.

It was a Brief Autumn

2011-10-30T16:35:00.001-04:00

Taken a few days before the snow came…

Caution

2011-10-26T01:58:00.001-04:00

Light paint attempt, exposure fail. I had the shutter improperly configured, so the effect was very faint. I did however, like the way the shot came out, so I kept it. Taken in the 5 Pointz/Court Square area of Queens.

G Tain Rocks

2011-10-23T17:13:00.001-04:00

Any regular of this blog can tell you, I love grime. I deliver to you, the discriminating viewer, yet another scene from the Crosstown Line; the best damn subway line in the city of New York!!!

Twilight Sidewalk

2011-10-21T21:47:00.001-04:00

Its gets a little cold and dark under the 7 train (noisy too). Taken in the Court Square area of Long Island City, Queen.

Red, White, Green, and Black

2011-10-18T00:19:00.003-04:00

This seems to be the pallet on this 3rd Avenue, Midtown street corner; taken in the lower '50s.

The Alter

2011-10-17T01:52:00.002-04:00

Best if viewed large, click the image to do so...

Homer Simpson Malady

2011-10-15T13:10:00.005-04:00

Eh a Homer, don't think the nuclear power plant is right for you. This shot was taken with some friends (links to their Flickr Photostreams below), who are in town to document Occupy Wall Street. They introduced me to light painting, which admittedly, I've never tried until now. Its requires lots of extra gear and prep work, but its a blast.

DoctorTongs' Photostream

BlaisOne's Photostream

One Way to the Moon

2011-10-14T01:14:00.003-04:00

Yes Alice, Ralph never made good on his blustery, empty threats to send you there, but must you goad him so? Putting humorous portrayals of threats of domestic violence by classic icons aside, this was taken at the location stated in the photo in the Long Island City area of Queens.

Its Bad...

2011-10-12T21:07:00.002-04:00

Waiting here for the next train to arrive for 45 minutes at 2 AM is bad, but this the abandoned platform where Michael Jackson shot the 'I'm bad' music video. This platfrom also served as terminus for special express train service to JFK several years ago. Shot at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn in downtown Brooklyn.

A Breaking

2011-10-09T13:47:00.004-04:00

Taken from Queensbridge area along 21st Street in Queens.

Old IRT Style Station

2011-10-04T21:46:00.001-04:00

The Lobby on the Brooklyn Bridge bound side of the 33rd Street station on the Lexington Avenue Line. This is a local only station which the 6 train services and was opened in 1904.

Famous Little Italy Pizza of Koreatown

2011-10-01T15:05:00.001-04:00

Near the corner of 33rd and 5th in Midtown…

Light-Vomit

2011-09-28T23:45:00.002-04:00

Its amazing what you can do when you expose for 20 seconds, f/32, oh and [most importantly] a dirty lens... Taken from Kings Highway in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn

Set Coordinates to ESB, Maximum Warp

2011-09-26T21:43:00.001-04:00

Engage…

Taken from the Kings Highway stop along the Brighton Line in Midwood, Brooklyn. This photo should be viewed large, click the image to do so.

Chomp…Chomp…Chomp

2011-09-26T00:32:00.001-04:00

For some reason, this reminds me of Super Mario Bros 3.; well, that dates me. Taken on Spring Street in Soho, Manhattan.

Choose your Weapon

2011-09-24T16:35:00.001-04:00

Take from the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza bus terminal on the South Side of Williamsburg.

You Be the Sun

2011-09-24T13:06:00.002-04:00

As fun as it would be to be a large ball of fusion reactions, if I were the sun, I would kill everything and everyone in my presence. And while I'm being completely literal here, I can't seem to place this quote with Gandhi. If anyone can confirm my (in)correctness I would be much appreciative!

The ‘Escapes’ Of Turtle Bay

2011-09-21T23:31:00.001-04:00

The Ominous Bodega

2011-09-19T22:22:00.001-04:00

The local bodega and deli, the ubiquitous New York City icon. They tend to get a bad reputation for being over priced or unclean. I find them quite useful for late night convenience and don’t go in with the same expectations of a full size grocery store. I came up with the idea of this humor-themed post when I joined and added photos to a few groups on Flickr centering around Bodegas.

Bed Stuy, Do or Deli. This bodega is around to corner of my apartment; I was fiending for a zebra cake around 2am (and yes, I was completely sober) when I came upon this scene. I knew immediately that my partially hydrogenated snack run was canceled, making the best of it, I pulled out my camera and snapped this photograph; I did so quite stealthily, owing to the fact that the NYPD is not exactly the most camera friendly organization in existence.

Do Not Resuscitate Deli. This bodega is located in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn on 4th Avenue. I spotted the D, N, and R trains and along came the title.

God Bless Deli. Some people may see ‘God Bless’ as comforting, but I tend to view it as alarming. Think about it, God Bless, like God Speed is something that many would say to someone that's about to embark on some risky endeavor like going into battle, having heart surgery, or riding a bicycle in New York City. Taken from Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Terminal Deli. Yeah, I know, I recently used this one… Taken in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Guard Dog Deli. Muscular dog, ready to pounce on and maul unsuspecting shoplifters. Taken on Myrtle Avenue in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Local Militia Deli. Gotta keep ‘King of England out of your face’ – Borrowed from Krusty the Clown. Taken near Broadway and 9th in Manhattan.

Y?

2011-09-17T17:55:00.001-04:00

I've seen many examples of people attempting to create a two-way dialogue with the MTA service changes that greet you on night and weekends. What can only be described as an entity that slightly resembles Slimer, questioning its merit; that would be a first. Taken from the Bedford-Nostrand subway station, one of the few stations in my neighborhood.

The Myrtle Platform

2011-09-15T17:36:00.001-04:00

The platform of the Myrtle Avenue subway station in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. This station is one of three in relatively close proximity of where I live; I come here when I need to catch the J, Z, or M trains into the city or to JFK.

Diamond in the Rough

2011-09-12T22:22:00.001-04:00

Bored waiting for the bus? Take our your camera. Some of my finest shots have been taken while waiting for a bus. This could only happen of course, when I finally remembered to carry my camera with me today. Taken at the corner of Bowery and Hester, near Little Italy, err, becoming more of Chinatown everyday.

Clinton Café Arbitration

2011-09-10T21:17:00.001-04:00

Taken near Hamilton Avenue, under the Gowanus Expressway in Red Hook…

Neighborhood above the Tracks

2011-09-08T18:57:00.001-04:00

Residential houses along the Brighton Line of the of the subway system in the Flatbush area in Central Brooklyn. Taken in late winter after all the snow has melted, but before the leaves grew on the trees.

Out of my Comfort Zone, Photographing Fragments

2011-09-07T20:44:00.004-04:00

If you haven’t notice my preference to take full, wide angle urban scenes as opposed to microcosmic shots, here’s my official proclamation: I like to take full, wide angle urban scenes as opposed to microcosmic shots. This post celebrates the small attention to detail that you notice when you stop (pissing off all the people behind you) and observe the environment around you.

Kiss fail! (You will probably need to view this large to see what I mean) The 2nd Avenue subway station near 2nd and Houston on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

I wanted a shot full of windows, the lighted windows in the silhouetted building on the left was an added bonus. Taken near 9th and Broadway in Manhattan.

Crossed wires, fire escapes, a large chunk of infrastructure, and barbeque building clipart…This scene could probably sum up this entire blog! Taken from Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The corner of Stillwell and Mermaid Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn. What’s in a name anyway? Its location at the Stillwell Avenue Subway Terminus and the boarded up windows makes it somewhat poignant.

Spotted under the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, on the Brooklyn side, I shall call it…Bridge Measles.

Rusting, screeching, R42 train = Romantic…Seriously!

Phallic-esque traffic signal, that just happens to be a Broad and Beaver; nothing to see here, please move on. Taken in the Financial District.

Rust and fumes in all its dirty, gritty glory! Taken near Queens Plaza in Long Island City,Queens.

Peppers 24-7

2011-09-06T00:24:00.001-04:00

Taken on Broadway in the upper ‘70s on the Upper West Side…

The Tales that Tiles Tell within the Subway

2011-09-02T23:41:00.001-04:00

The New York City Subway system is an old rapid transit system, which is the source for many of the issues it faces, however it is also responsible for much of it distinctive character. Much of the stations in the system are either over or approaching 100 years old, a different time when greater detail was focused on the aesthetics of the architecture of public spaces and infrastructure. One of the most distinctive features within the New York City Subway systems is its mosaic tile work. What’s even more interesting is the story that this tile work has to tell.

The operation of the system has a complicated history, which is worthy of its own post in the future, but lets just say that in the past, before a single agency operated it, there were three separate companies operating their own lines throughout the city. The Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT), Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT), and the Independent Subway System (IND) all competed in servicing the passengers of the city’s boroughs. Each company has their own style of tile work that was implemented in the stations.

IRT Style

This is from the 86th Street Station on the Seventh Avenue-Broadway Line (Manhattan, 1 train). I fully admit, I indulged myself a little in the composition of this photo, but I felt only a wide angle photo would tell the complete story here. Much like the IND style, the station name is plainly identified within a mosaic. Unlike the IND style however, is the use of frieze around it and as a border. The older the station, more of this is used. This station was opened in 1904 and most of the original tile was removed in renovation years ago, this small section still exists.

More of the station featured above, showing a more human perspective.

The Bleecker Street station on the Lexington Avenue Line (Manhattan, 6 Train) uses faience tablets to identify the station name. Like the previous station, much of the original work has been removed, by a few remain preserved.

IND STYLE

The Metropolitan Avenue Station on the Crosstown Line (Brooklyn, G Train) features a very standard form of tile work featuring plain lettering that is used widely on the old IND lines. The IND lines tend to be newer than the IRT and BMT lines and the style and the tile work tend to have a more streamlined look.

This work is a little more unique and is located on the Smith-9th station on the Culver Viaduct (Brooklyn, G and F Trains). This station (and the viaduct as a whole) is undergoing renovation, and I hope this remains untouched.

Many station also use individual letter tiling to identify the station. Carries much less prestige, but hey its easier to maintain I guess…The modern attitude of how infrastructure is treated.

BMT Style

The tile work in BMT stations tend to be a little more intricate than IND tile work and use monogram frieze work. This work was taken from the 42nd-Time Square station on the Broadway Line (Manhattan, N, Q, R Trains).

Taken from the Prince Street Station on the Broadway Line (Manhattan, N and R Trains), demonstrating a BMT Style name tablet.

‘Modern Style’

This tile work is typical in stations that have been renovated or relatively new stations built in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Many stations in Brooklyn use this light blue tile, such as Court Street Station (R Train) (Pictured). Many other stations use similar tile in that 1960’w rusty-red color, such as the Lexington Avenue-63rd Street (Manhattan, F Train) and 125th Street Station (Manhattan, A,B,C,D Trains). Others use an off white, such as the 57th Street Station (Manhattan, F Train).

Shadow Lurker

2011-08-31T21:29:00.001-04:00

Taken in front of the 225 Broadway-Transportation Building near the Financial District in Lower Manhattan. Obviously taken several months ago when winter attire was required.

Flats Fixed

2011-08-30T23:03:00.001-04:00

Who can resist quirky storefronts? I know I can’t! Obviously, at the corner of Park and Franklin; this is an area in which three neighborhood of Brooklyn meet. Those neighborhoods are Clinton Hill, Williamsburg, and Bedford Stuyvesant.

Fury. Forsaken. Etc.

2011-08-28T21:21:00.001-04:00

Stay Dry Tunnels, Stay Dry

2011-08-26T22:47:00.001-04:00

Battery Park City is one of those Zone A locations that are looking at a mandatory evacuation in preparation of Hurricane Irene. Given its location, the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel stands a chance of being inundated with water as the storm progresses. Lets hope the pumps don’t protest their working conditions. As someone who uses the subway system as their primary means of transportation, I wish the same for those tunnels as well.

Indoor Parking, Precision Pricing

2011-08-26T02:07:00.003-04:00

Because underselling the $8.25 guys works every time. For some reason, this parking garage reminds me of a parking garage in Indianapolis, Indiana. Taken near Brooklyn Heights.

Carfiti

2011-08-25T00:32:00.002-04:00

My ‘Pretty’ Street

2011-08-24T01:19:00.002-04:00

I tend to be a rather private person so I avoid posting online those things that are of a personal nature. With that being said, I definitely do not post content indicating my place of residence, in case one of my ‘raving stalker fans’ may be lurking in the darkness ;) I post photograph of locations all over the city, but available time has been scarce as of late so in an attempt to deliver new content, I have taken to the Hannibal Lecter strategy of coveting what I see everyday…In this case, my own street.

Without disclosing exactly where, I will describe the vicinity. I reside in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. The section of the neighborhood that I live is in the far northwest corner where it borders Williamsburg (to the north) and Clinton Hill (the the west). I have seen realtors market property in this area as being in either neighborhoods to avoid the whole Bed Stuy [do or die] image. Regardless of the spin, I live in Bed Stuy. The neighborhood is in transition and my street is no different. My block consists of brownstone and tenement stock that have been rehabbed, the photo directly below was taken from my stoop.

Such is typical of a dense neighborhood, one block is completely different from the next. The next block contains old industrial properties that have been converted into lofts with a few areas that still contain light industry. The buildings are well utilized by graffiti artists.

The next block is mainly retail, this shot was taken on garbage collection day-eve; case closed on the ‘rats the size of cats’ mystery that are frequently seen at night. Its quite a surreal sight to be walking home at night to see rapid, mobile, masses inside closed garbage bags, or garbage cans that wobble as if they are in some kind of eccentric orbit with about five tails sticking out of the top.

Welcome to NYC retail after dark, opaque, graffitied, gates rule the landscape. From what I hear, there is an initiative to ban these things [citing safety and law enforcement concerns], but I’m not for sure.

Forget Ikea or some other urban home store, a real man needs only a few dozen of these to furnish his place…

Urban Country Club

2011-08-22T23:56:00.001-04:00

Workshop theme country club? Being that I have yet to attain the tax bracket status to join a county club, I have only preconceived notions of the archetypal ilk; operation of a band saw is definitely out of the question. Luckily, this place isn’t a country club, but a bar, which, for better or worse, I have a much better fit. Taken on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Pre-Disney-esque 42nd Street

2011-08-21T02:21:00.001-04:00

Its still around, it just got shoved over towards 8th Avenue and a few bells and whistles added. Near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown-West.

Rainy Friday Night

2011-08-20T12:50:00.001-04:00

Standardized

2011-08-18T01:40:00.004-04:00

Along with Highline, which passes under in the shot, the Standard Hotel has become an icon for the Meat Packing District. I'm a big fan of the Highline, but I'm a little critical of the architecture of the hotel. While others may differ, in my opinion, it looks like a 1970's concrete government building with a little glass added for effect.

Drugs! Drugs! Drugs!

2011-08-16T22:26:00.001-04:00

I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been able to do any new photography in quite a while, so here is a stock photo taken from early spring in Greenwich Village. I’ve been fiending for a shot of something lately, with my camera that is.

Sunset Subway

2011-08-15T22:24:00.001-04:00

Yes, Yes, I know, I post quite a bit of these subway shots. The New York City subway system is my primary mode of transportation, and its facilities tend to be low hanging fruit. With that being said, this is the entrance of the Jay Street-MetroTech (formerly Jay Street-Borough Hall) in downtown Brooklyn.

Stop at Sheepshead Bay

2011-08-14T14:40:00.002-04:00

Yet another body of waster in the New York City area that carries a charming name. This stop is located on the Brighton Line that eventually terminates at Coney Island.

Maps and Shopping Bags

2011-08-12T20:46:00.001-04:00

Attention! Oversized maps and credit cards at the ready! Let the tourism commence! Taken near the corner of 43rd and 8th, between Times Square and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Alien Caviar and Chained Bikes

2011-08-10T22:18:00.001-04:00

My street is not always pretty, but its always interesting. The creator of this piece is a street artist that goes by Willow. This shot was taken a few doors down from my own apartment in Brooklyn.

The Golden Nostrand

2011-08-08T22:33:00.001-04:00

The title of this post sounds a little like some of that frat boy slang you would see somewhere on urbandictionary.com. Innuendo building aside, this station is located at Fulton and (you guessed it) Nostrand Avenues in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. One distinctive feature of this station is that express platform is on the upper level while the local is on the lower; as far as I know, this is the only station in the system with this configuration.

Night Time Novelty, The Glowing Roof

2011-08-07T13:02:00.001-04:00

1/2 second exposure, handheld, resulting in a slight blur. Taken near the corner of Myrtle and Franklin in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn…

Pelham Bay Bound

2011-08-07T03:23:00.001-04:00

The Bronx as from the 6 train on the way to Pelham Bay Park…

On The Hill

2011-08-06T22:46:00.001-04:00

Lexington Avenue, Upper East Side, in the lower 90’s, where things get a little hilly…

Bored, Waiting to Board

2011-08-03T22:24:00.001-04:00

Piss, bleach, garbage, unhinged bums, delayed J trains, and excessive heat…The Chambers Street Station near City Hall has a little bit of something for everyone on a late Saturday night. Pay me no mind for I feel a little ornery on this night…

Nelly's Flowers

2011-08-01T07:04:00.003-04:00

Taken at the corner of Broadway and Union in Williamsburg, Brooklyn...

Slap-Happy Bus Stop

2011-07-30T23:47:00.005-04:00

Perhaps I should push and market my blog in a similar fashion. Every time I take a photograph, boom! A 'Matt Heidelberger Was Here' bumper sticker would be placed prominently with each shutter release. Well ok, I won't do that; not due to the fact that I wouldn't stoop so low, but because I'm too lazy. Taken from a bus stop in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn...

A Panhandler's Job is Never Done...

2011-07-29T15:42:00.002-04:00

LES Cyclist

2011-07-24T13:27:00.000-04:00

To Know Brooklyn II

2011-07-20T19:36:00.000-04:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmheidelberger/5914408684/in/photostream

Sheepshead Bay Quicky

2011-07-18T20:13:00.002-04:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmheidelberger/5944791290/in/photostream

Bowl at the Shell

2011-07-16T19:33:00.003-04:00

Take on Shell Road and Avenue X in the West Brighton area of Brooklyn...

Haunted

2011-07-15T12:15:00.001-04:00

An old, abandoned, residential building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This neighborhood has become quite trendy and more and more modern condos keep going up, abeit slower due to the economy. Instead of building cheap looking modern housing that won’t last as long as this building, lets give this structure a little love.

Over and Under

2011-07-13T19:01:00.001-04:00

The New York City Transit overhaul yard on Shell Road, Near Coney Island, Brooklyn. This image has quite a bit of detail and is best if viewed large...