NYC Street Photography & the Art of Seeing

This workshop, led by 2X Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Essdras M Suarez,  has been designed with you, the photographer, in mind. To follow a maxim of Street Photography, we will adhere to the below itinerary but we’ll always remain flexible in case better photo opportunities were to arise. The idea of this workshop is to help you:

• Understand the principles of Street Photography and how to best apply the the  “Four As” of photography: Alertness, Awareness, Anticipation, Action.” These same principles apply not only to this type of photography but to any kind of photography.
• To show you the best way to capture New York City and its denizens and some of its attractions in new ways and through new perspectives.
• To pay attention to details in order to discover the aesthetic balance and graphic elements of every-day objects.

This workshop has taken the following points into account when designed:

• To avoid the weekend crowds in New York City, thus the Wednesday to Friday schedule.
• To minimize the amount of walking we have grouped the locations.
• You don’t need to own sophisticated camera gear to participate. A lot of mobile photography tips will be taught throughout the duration of the workshop.

Overview: Day 1 Morning:

• Highline Park: This 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park was created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan. More than a park, you can walk through gardens, view art, experience a performance, savor delicious food, and get a unique perspective of New York City. Essentially, it has become a hub for both public art and art installations.
• Hudson Yards and The Vessel: The latter is NY City’s latest attractions. This elaborate honeycomb-like structure is an extraordinary centerpiece of Hudson Yards Public Square. The Vessel is 150-feet high and has 154 interconnected staircases totaling around 2,500 steps, and 80 unique landings. Even though this installation is closed to the public, it still lends itself to some fantastic images from the ground.

Afternoon: This afternoon will be dedicated to exploring Central Park:

• Strawberry Fields: Work of art dedicated to the memory of former Beatles member John Lennon.
• Wagner Cove: One of Central Park’s lesser-known treasures. This small location on the edge of The Lake is punctuated by a rustic shelter reconstruction of a historic design from the 1860s.
• Cherry Hill: An ideal place to photograph the lakeside view of the NYC
• Bow Bridge: A cast-iron bridge that crosses over The Lake and is used as a pedestrian walkway. It is decorated with an interlocking circles’ banister, with eight planting urns on top of decorative bas-relief panels.
• Bethesda Terrace: One of the most iconic and well-known features in Central Park the Terrace is a large plaza consisting of two levels. You through an arched Arcade adorned with carvings that depict the four seasons with detailed renderings of fruit, flowers, plants, and birds to a terrace surrounding the “Angel of the Waters” fountain.

From there we will make our way to Time Square, one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions. It is a major commercial intersection, entertainment center, and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan. It is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas, it is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District and a major center of the world’s entertainment industry. In other words, an all- around fantastic place to make photos. Day 2 Morning:

• Washington Square Park in the heart of Greenwich Village. The 75-acre public park is one of the best known of New York City’s public parks. It is a great place for street photography and offers a central fountain, playgrounds, paths to stroll, a chess and scrabble playing area, and commemorative statuary such as its arch honoring George Washington.
• A walk through Greenwich and West Village. The area is considered to be one of NY’s most historically and desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan.  Its eye-catching architecture spans all eras, and the neighborhood has long attracted artists, writers, musicians, and actors.

Afternoon:

• Pier 51, where will be able to photograph pedestrians along the Hudson River Park.
• “Little Island” on the Hudson. The 2.4-acre park offering a striking stilt design, beautiful walking paths, several overlooks and a playground is one of NY’s latest attractions.
• Chelsea Market area and its vicinity.

Day 3 Morning:

• The Battery (formerly known as Battery Park) where we’ll have a myriad of photo opportunities such as The Statue of Liberty as seen from the shoreline, the unique SeaGlass carousel, the gardens, and the NY’s Korean War Memorial.
• Wall Street’s “Charging Bull” (the 7,000-pound, bronze sculpture that symbolizes New York’s financial industry).
• Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side. Visit one of the most iconic and recognizable places in NYC, the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Afternoon: 

• Fulton Subway station with its beautiful natural light and architecture.
• Millennium Park, where we’ll finish our workshop. This park- mall- gathering place is filled with beautiful murals, and, of course, its world-renown awe- inspiring design.

BONUS: Group photo review Zoom meeting A month after the workshop, a Zoom meeting will be scheduled where Essdras will review photos sent by participants – this can usually be done anonymously or people can choose to divulge ownership of the photos being presented. Sharing your photos and seeing how each one of you has their own unique perspective and point of view on the same subjects along with commentary and feedback from Essdras will make this an unforgettable learning experience. Included

• Three packed days of on-location instruction and guidance by Essdras M Suarez.
• Ticket to the Artechouse digital interactive exhibit
• Water and snacks

Not Included Transportation to/from/ in NYC: flights, train, or any other means of transportation you will need to participate in the workshop. Meals and lodging are not included. Any additional costs incurred by participants – souvenirs, drinks, etc. Lodging and other recommendations:

• We suggest you stay in the Mid-town Chelsea area.
• Arrive at least a day prior – Sept 25th, 2024 – since we start bright and early the following day.