A new start with Journal Of A Photographer

I am back in New York and happy to inform you about the launch of my new website Journal Of A Photographer.

Journal Of A Photographer is a continuation of New York Photoblog. Similar design, slightly adapted and with extended content. It's a website dedicated to photojournalism and photography. You will not only find personal photographs and stories on my new site but also a continued series of audio interviews with renown photographers that should bring you insight views into their lifes. You'll find photography book reviews as well as tutorials on my workflow, photojournalism news, events and competitons and an extensive links section with sites related to photography and journalism.

I hope that you are going to enjoy Journal Of A Photographer at least as much as you enjoyed New York Photoblog! Thank's for your support!

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 04:47 AM | Comments (3)

Back to New York and the end of New York Photoblog

Click image to enlarge

Dear friends, supporters and visitors of New York Photoblog,

I left New York about 3 months ago and went back to Vienna. I enjoyed the time back home, I continued to photograph, had a couple of assignments for a newspaper, enjoyed the time with my girlfriend and my family. But I also missed New York, it's energy, it's composure, it's people, the streets...

About two weeks ago Mark Lubell and Claudine Boeglin from Magnum New York called me to ask me if I'd like to return to Magnum for another 3 months to work on an important project. This time I'd get payed, the internship is over. To make a long story short and not bother you with details, I said yes after my girlfriend said ok.

So I am happy to announce that I'll be back in New York City from March to May 2006. Yeah baby, the adventure continues... :-)
At the same time this is the official announcement of the end of New York Photoblog. Since I don't know what time will bring and I can't run a website about New York if I'm not there, I worked on a new project, a new website, a new blog that will be about photojournalism, photography and passion.
I am happy to have Lexar, ColorVision and Digital Railroad as sponsors for my new project. They again support me with their equipment and know-how. I am still negotiating with Canon and really hope that they'll also continue to support me.

The new website "Journal Of A Photographer" will launch on March 1st 2006. So long you can check out my portfolio website or my Digital Railroad archive for some recent photographs.
New York Photoblog will of course stay online for now. Fell free to browse the archives or check out some of my favourite posts. I selected a couple of posts from New York Photoblog which I find most interesting, entertaining or somehow informative.

A selection of New York Photoblog posts

Audio interview with Magnum photographer Simon Wheatley - November 28, 2005
New gallery: A Backstage Look At Magnum Photos New York - November 21, 2005
An open letter to Magnum New York and a job in London - November 03, 2005
A night out with Bruce Gilden - October 30, 2005
Multimedia Gallery: Four Years Later - 9/11 Commemoration - October 17, 2005
Anti-War Protesters in front of the White House - September 26, 2005
Back from my trip to Washington, DC - September 24, 2005
People waiting at a bus stop in Lower Manhattan - September 07, 2005
Color is color is color is color - September 06, 2005
An adventure: A day trip to Staten Island - September 05, 2005
The Alex Webb / Chuck Norris connection - August 28, 2005
How my impressions about New York changed so far - August 19, 2005
War Photographer: The Backstage Story - August 18, 2005
Some certain small things that make me know: I'm back - August 17, 2005
Karin and Nicole in the quietness of the night - August 07, 2005
Observing the passers-by from above on 5th Avenue - August 02, 2005
Sun slit in Midtown Manhattan - July 23, 2005
A Giant grabbing a couple on 5th Avenue in Manhattan - July 21, 2005
Prospecting for girls in El Barrio - July 20, 2005
Uncle Sam, the man with the big hat - July 14, 2005
Thomas Eickhoff on the traces of his family - July 12, 2005
More photos of the Gay Pride Parade 2005 - June 28, 2005
Two men on 5th Avenue - June 20, 2005
A rooftop movie night - June 19, 2005
Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City Part I - June 12, 2005
Puerto Rican Festival in Spanish Harlem - June 11, 2005
A woman waiting on the sidewalk - June 07, 2005
Sunday on the beach and at a parade - June 05, 2005
It's all about photography... - June 03, 2005
Todays Magnum In Motion Meeting - May 31, 2005
Dance Africa 2005 in Brooklyn - May 30, 2005
Tasty and fresh - Fulton Fish Market Part I - May 27, 2005
316 (Threehundredandsixteen) American National Flags - May 22, 2005
42nd Street Subway Station - May 17, 2005
Getting Carl De Keyzer a coffee - May 07, 2005
Joe the man who's picture was taken a thousand times - May 01, 2005
Arrival in New York City - April 29, 2005

So thank's again for visiting New York Photoblog and stay tuned for the new site! Remember March 1st is the launch date for it!
I hope to see you again on "Journal Of A Photographer" soon.

Martin

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 10:30 AM | Comments (14)

The 2005 New York City Marathon

Click image to enlarge

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 10:49 PM | Comments (3)

An open letter to Magnum New York and a job in London

There is a lot going on in my life right now. As I wrote a little over a week ago my time in New York comes to an end. Magnum offered me a job in it's digital department about two months ago which I didn't take because I felt the need to move on and push my photography further.

Well my plans changed in the meantime. Mark Lubell, Magnum's New York bureau director, asked me if I would be interested in taking over a job in Magnum's London office. Hamish Crooks who is among other things responsible for Magnum's image database and website is going to leave Magnum. They need somebody to do that job and Mark thought that I might be well suited to do that for different reasons.
Long story short, I said yes because I think that this position is a pretty interesting one. Because of all the things I've done in the past, because of six months knowledge of Magnum and my pleasure to learn new things and gain more experience I decided to go for it. And hey, it's another country again...

Again a pretty tough decision because that obviously means that I can not start working as a photographer right away. I got quite a lot of positive feedback from people who told me that they have high respect for my decision to reject the job in New York and follow my own photography. Now I kind of feel like betraying those people, this respect which was brought towards me. But I thought about it quite well. And it seems to be the right way for me. Having a full time job doesn't mean that I am not photographing anymore. Look at the past six months. I worked a lot but I also took about 18.000 photographs during that time. I've never before photographed that much. So it's also a chance for my photography. I am going to stay in a highly inspiring environment and am able to work on a personal project on the side.

So what does that mean for the rest of the time in New York? Well I was supposed to leave New York Saturday the 12th to fly back to Vienna. I rearranged my flight today... I'll leave New York already Tuesday November 8th to go back to Vienna. I'll arrive there Wednesday and will fly to London for a job interview on Thursday. It's not for sure that I'll get the job. I'll be one of many applicants and will have to see what happens.

That messes up my time plan for the last days in New York. I feel the stress already. Gotta do this, gotta do that, want to hang out with my friends here before leaving and so on. I'll be at work tomorrow and on Monday and that's it.

Subject: An open letter to Magnum New York

Tonight I send out an e-mail to all the Magnum New York staff to say goodbye and thank you. Since I have the feeling that this e-mail shows my feelings towards my colleagues pretty well I decided to share it with you. :-)

Dear Magnum staff,

After writing a whole lot of very pathetic breathed on words about my last six months at Magnum and in New York I decided to delete all that crap and try to come to the point in a couple of sentences. Not exactly what I am well known for. :-)

My time at Magnum New York draws to a close. I came here at the end of April, full of excitement as well as nervousness. The nervousness left, the excitement stayed. I enjoyed working at Magnum a lot. I met wonderful people and got inspired by Magnum as well as New York City!

My internship is about to end and I'll leave New York Tuesday November 8th. My last day at work will be next week Monday. I leave with a weeping and a laughing eye at the same time. A great experience is over, I leave the city I got to love so much and where I feel at home but I am also ready to move on. I have an appointment in the London office next week and if things work out fine for me I will start to work there.

Alright, before I start to bore everybody I want to say one more thing coming out of my heart (well I can't resist to have at least one pathetic element in here)... I really want to thank every single one of you for welcoming me the way you did, for working with me and for letting me become part of this great office. It has been a great pleasure and honor to work with you!

By the way, people with a certain job in New York City are called "New York's Finest". I'd rather call all of you "New York's Finest".

Cheers,
Martin

That's it for today. I'll keep you posted about my last days in New York and how it's going on afterwards!

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:59 PM | Comments (10)

Two more weeks and two days to go...

My co-worker Gemma at the Magnum Photos office in New York - Click image to enlarge

Well I guess it's time to face it. The Magnum New York staff got sick of me after six months and they want me to leave. Just see Gemma above. She just can't stand me anymore... ;-)

Let's be serious. Yes it's time to face it. No more dodging now! I will leave New York in two weeks and two days. My todays post is not going to be an open love letter to New York. I didn't yet write that. But it's going to be a simple information that my time here draws to a close.

I have to admit that I've already been sort of anxious for the last couple of weeks. I knew that the time is running and let me tell you - there is still sooo much to see, to explore and to do in New York. Six months in this city is simply not enough. But I guess two years wouldn't be enough... So I've been thinking about how my life will go on after returning to Vienna. What am I going to do? How will I find a job? What is the best way to reach my goals? And so on...

Well... Magnum offered me a job about a month and a half ago. If I would have accepted I would have worked in Magnums digital deparment. Basically sanning images and retouching them. Wow, I would have had the chance to stay and live in New York. Stay with Magnum, get more experience, inhale the greatest city in the world! BUT - and that's the great but: I didn't take it. It cost me quite some energy, nervous, fussed hours and long talks on the phone until I decided, after thinking about it very well, that this job might not be what I really want to do. I think that this job wouldn't have led me in the direction I want to take. The direction: Taking photographs, becoming better and better, start to earn money with it and reaching a goal in photography. I did also think about that a lot and I know that's what I have to do. BUT and that's another but: I am yet not quite sure about the way I should go for that. Well I guess I already know which way I am going to take but it's certainly not the straight one. The question is if there would be a straight way to go. And let's be honest: The straight ways are usually the most boring ways.

But anyway, I am going to let you know more about my plans somewhen soon. There are still a couple of things to be sorted out and I am excited about that. You can be sure about one thing already: I am already working on a new project for my time after New York and I am sure it will be interesting to a lot of people out there. Make sure to sign up for the newsletter to be informed about what's going on or check back to read about it on my blog.

And isn't there a saying that means something like "You should stop when you are on top"? I wouldn't say that I am on top, there is fortunatly so much more to come, but these last 6 months in New York have certainly been one of my most beautiful and best experiences ever. So why stay when it can only come worse. New York is going to wait for me and I can come back. Now there are new experiences and new adventures waiting for me. I am sure!
And then there is my girlfriend Karin waiting for me... ;-)

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:50 PM | Comments (12)

A cheesy sunset photograph from a Queens rooftop

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:37 PM | Comments (5)

I love New York in the rain

Basically it is raining in New York since last Saturday. There might be a couple of hours in between where the sky is just gray but I'd say for the most time of the day it's pouring down.
But let me tell you... I enjoy this weather at the moment. There wasn't really much rain in the last couple of months and a rainy New York has it's beautiful sides as well. I enjoy the somehow low temperature, I even went to buy a sweater and I even wear it. I went for a long walk in the rain this evening and I didn't really care about getting wet. It had something peaceful.

On the other hand side I have to say that I am thinking about whether I am a "good weather photographer" or not. Honestly I have to say that those gray days are not really alluring for taking photographs. At least for me. I miss the light, the contrasts and the colors. So I guess I am a so called "good weather photographer". At least right now. But I do also have quite a lot of work to do. I am working on a new concept for my time after New York, I am working on a couple of interviews with photographers and (important) I am starting to get in touch with different people from newspapers and magazines in Austria. That goes very slowly, I have to follow up on e-mails, have to write new ones, have to call again but don't get any concrete answers. Well that's just the way it is I guess. Hope that will be at least a little easier as soon as I have the possibility to meet in person.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 10:11 PM | Comments (7)

View onto Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:58 PM | Comments (4)

Walking along Ground Zero

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:42 PM | Comments (0)

People mourning while the reading of the names

At this years 9/11 commemoration about 640 siblings of those who died four years ago read the names of the 2,749 World Trade Center victims.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:59 PM | Comments (4)

A woman paying tribute at Ground Zero

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:58 PM | Comments (2)

Man carrying a 9/11 flag near Ground Zero

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:59 PM | Comments (6)

9/11 - New York I hope you are feeling better

Click image for a larger view.

I've spent the entire day, from 07:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Ground Zero to photograph those remembering the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. I only left for about an hour and a half in the evening to take the ferry to Staten Island and back. Getting a better sight onto the Manhattan Skyline with the two beams of light marking the places where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

It was a pretty intense and long day. I walked around all day and it was touching although I didn't know anyone who died four years ago. I took a lot of photographs and recorded sound to do a feature on that.

Let's leave it with the following wisdom I found today:

Yo New York

I Love You

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:59 PM | Comments (10)

An adventure: A day trip to Staten Island

Today is the last day of the 2005 Labor Day Weekend. For all none Americans: Labor Day is a national holiday which is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.
That basically means that I had a long weekend starting with a short Friday (the last short Friday where Magnum closed at 1 p.m.), ending with a Monday off.

I had a great weekend. The weather was wonderful throughout the entire weekend. It was sunny and hot but it wasn't humid which even made the midday hours bearable. I didn't really know what to do Friday evening and was assessing of whether to go out or stay at home. I ended up turning some relaxing music on. I listened to "Freundeskreis" which means circle of friendship. "Freundeskreis" are a German band, they do a mix of Hip Hop and Reggae and sing in 4 different langages. Esperanto, German, English and French. You might want to check out "Freundeskreis" on Amazon.
Anyway, so I turned that music on, laid down on my bed and started to drift away... I got a lot of sleep that night which made me well rested for the following day.

Saterday morning I met Irene, another Magnum intern from Mexico. We took the ferry to Staten Island and got on the bus to go all the way down to the end of Staten Island. We were on the search for an old ship yard another co-worker told us about.
The bus drive took pretty long, about an hour and a half probably but it was an interesting ride. We got to see a lot of Staten Island which is again totally different to the rest of New York. You somehow have the feeling not to be in the city anymore. It's totally suburban with a lot of one family houses, a front porch and tons of American Flags flying. There seem to be some rich areas and a lot of middle class areas. I also got the feeling that the majority of people living there is white. Someone told me that Staten Island is known for it's racist infringements but I don't know if that's true or not.

After arriving at Arthur Kill Road and Roosville Avenue we stood in front of a long fence which environed a scrap yard at the water front. We went along that fence and found a small stream which dug a hole underneath that fence just big enough to crawl through. Alright, the adventure can start... We got inside that scrap yard and saw the old ships lying in the water behind a small hill. We walked around a little bit and tried to get on the other side of that hill to get closer to those ships. Unfortunatly there was a lot of water between us and the ships... We should have tried to get in at another spot which would have led us nearer. Still an interesting surrounding. All those half sunk old rusty and damaged ships which offer a new home to all sort of birds and other animals. We have been sitting there for a while and decided to leave when we heared voices nearby. See a satellite image of the ship yard on Google.

Out again we went inside a Saloon to have a drink and eat something. Man let me tell you. Totally western style with some Harley Davidson bikers having a couple of drinks and playing a video game where you hold a rifle shooting deers. The food was good. Strengthened after lunch we continued our exploration of Staten Island and kept on walking on Arthur Kill Road. Visited an old cemetery, talked to a guy who was flying an old US Flag on his front porch which only had 31 stars in it and suddenly stood in front of a prison. Actually it's not called prison in North America but Correctional Facility...

We then took the bus back to the Staten Island Ferry station to get back to Manhattan. The light was wonderful at that time. Warm and rich. Back in Manhattan Irene left to meet somebody and I stayed near the ferry station to take a couple of photographs in that great light. A good and interesting day with a lot of new discoveries. I enjoy these days of just walking and looking around so much!

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 09:09 PM | Comments (8)

How New York got its nickname "The Big Apple"

Click image for a larger view (and see the "Big Apple" sign better)

I never really asked myself why New York City is also called "The Big Apple". Today I found the answer... At least a possible one.

I went to Harlem and walked around for a couple of hours. I happend to come across the "Uptown Saterday Nite" Festival which is part of the 2005 Harlem Week. Nothing sensational but on the corner of 135th Street and 7th Avenue I noticed this old red building with a sign showing an upside down apple saying "The Big Apple". I took a photograph and went on.
After coming home I did a little research on the internet, looking for this particular sign in Harlem. That's how I found out about the history of this sign and New Yorks nickname.

In the 1920's Jazz musicians picked the term "Big Apple" up from horseracing people who considered New York races and gigs to be where the big money was. Since a horse, up for a big purse in New York City, can't get paid off in big money himself, the lingo promised him a big apple. At this time a night club opened in Harlem called "The Big Apple". Some historians think that New Yorks nickname may have come from this long forgotten club. The club is gone, the sign, with its upside down apple, is still there.

For another theory you may want to read this article from the Society for New York City History.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:26 PM | Comments (4)

Some certain small things that make me know: I'm back

It's some certain small things that make me know that I am back in New York. It starts when getting on the bus in the morning, you look at the driver and say something like "Good morning, how are you doing today?". And you actually get an answer. It's this certain amount of friendliness in every day life situations which have been strange to me when I came to New York and which I appreciate now.
Seeing some of my fellow commuters again, recognizing some faces on the train, seeing people who are singing and dancing in public while listening to their MP3 player without getting stared at. Impossible in Vienna...
Getting back to work, meeting my colleagues again, hearing that they wanted me to bring Milka chocolate and "Mozartkugeln" from Vienna but didn't want to ask for it. I even heared that there was a guy calling the Magnum office telling them that he is a big fan of Magnum, that he loves my blog and therefore would really like to come over and see the office. First they told him that this is rather unusual but he sort of begged and then he was told that I am going to get in touch with him once I am back. I didn't yet get his contact information but am waiting for it.
It's this special sort of light, the last sunbeams coming down to the streets reflected by the windows of skyscrapers which is irresistible. The great diversity of people and cultures you happen to see wherever you look.
And of course it's also the noise on the streets, the hot and steamy air down in the subway stations and a couple of other things which are not as nice as the above described. Everything forms one whole thing. Oh and by the way... I met my new roommates. They are nice and they are artists. Artists... Well I am a little suspicious towards everything containing this term but we already talked about art a little bit tonight and I guess we are going to have some nice conversations on that topic. Might help me to get rid of some more prejudices.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:55 PM | Comments (8)

A gallery afternoon in Williamsburg

So what the hell has this guy to do with galleries in Williamsburg? He is carrying a bedstead... Well, he's an artist preparing his exhibition opening in one of the many Williamsburg galleries. The bedstead will be part of it.

Claudine, the Magnum In Motion Creative Director (see Claudine here) and me decided to leave the office and the computers behind this afternoon. We wanted to get out and change our environment looking at some galleries to get inspired.
Alright, first of all I have to say that I am generally not a big gallery visitor (apart from photo galleries) since I often can't do anything with modern art. Of course this is one of my prejudices. And of course I often see modern art (what the hell is modern art?) which I like and which I enjoy viewing. It depends on what I am able to see in those paintings, sculptures or whatever. But that's the same with photography. I don't like all sorts of photographies, I have my likings and dislikings there as well. I should probably overcome my biased attitude more often and get out to learn from what I see.

However. Before leaving the office we printed out a map of the Williamsburg Gallery Association and headed over to Brooklyn with the L train. We have been visiting a couple of galleries, some of them were quite nice, others haven't been so spectacular. We had a relaxing afternoon anyway and Williamsburg seems to be really nice! The bad thing about Williamsburg is that it got very hip in the last couple of years and the real estate prices are in enormous heights. Claudine and her boyfriend live in Chelsea at the moment and would like to move out to find a nicer place. When passing by one of those signs stating "Apartment For Rent" we just called the phone number of the agent. Five minutes later he was here and showed it to us. It was a rather nice two bedroom apartment, one living rom, a nice kitchen, a small bathroom and a backyard which would only be used by this apartment. And the rent for it is USD 3.300,-...

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:03 PM | Comments (2)

First reactions on the London terror attacks in New York

As I was riding the subway to work this morning there was something different. I noticed policemen standing at the subway stations in the Bronx. Usually there are no policemen visible. I thought that they might look for someone or have some sort of a campaign for commuters to feel safer on the subway (although I never feel unsafe on it).

I then didn't know about the terror attacks that took place in London today. I heard about it as soon as I came into the office of Magnum were I read the online edition of newspapers and talked to a co-worker of mine who had just arrived from London 6 hours ago. All of her friends and family are alright.

What I found interesting was the fact that nobody either seemed to know about what happend while on the train or they just didn't feel uncomfortable. While getting lunch I was walking through the streets of Chelsea a bit and observed the people. Nothing special... While going home by subway I observed the people again and tried to notice a difference in their behavior but I couldn't find any. I didn't even hear people talking about it, newspapers haven't yet reported about it. I had expected to see, feel or hear a difference in New York daily life since the attacks on the World Trade Center are still very present in peoples lifes.

My experience stands in total contradiction to this New York Times article which describes it completely different. I might just not have the right feeling for the behavior of New Yorkers after only 2 and a half months of my stay here.

(The photo above was actually not taken today but last weekend. I choose it because I think it is a very moody image, well and probably one which has been seen quite often. But anyway...)

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 09:56 PM | Comments (1)

A rooftop movie night

Since Magda (a co-worker at Magnum) and Ian (her husband) have to move from their appartment in Manhatten to a new one in Brooklyn they invited friends for the premier and the closing night of "Movies at 125".
Honestly, how cool is it to hang out on a New York City rooftop with friends watching movies projected onto an old wall? I find it damn cool! Meeting friends on the roof of an old Bowery based building, having drinks and snacks together, enjoying the light breeze up their and watching movies. We saw two movies by french director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. "City of Lost Children" and "The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain" (it's still such a wonderful fairy tale like story). People have been lying on blankets or sitting on small foldable chairs and benches. The structure and pattern of the wall we used for projection gave the movies a very pleasant and retro feeling.

This night on the roof was, to me, something typical about New York. New Yorkers just love their roofs although it seems to get harder and harder to get access. And the big difference between New York and Austria (or Europe) is that most buildings here have flat roofs which means that they can be perfectly used for barbecues, sunbaths, or movie nights. More and more landlords ban rooftop access because of the potential danger...

I guess it's even more speciall to people who have not been born in New York but who moved here. The atmosphere is just very unique if you get up on the roof after a day of hectic New York City life, feeling the air, listening to the sounds of the city and watching the sun going down. But those roofs aren't small green oasis with plants and garden furniture. The original roofs are just inlaid with tar papers. The so called "Tar Beaches" are one more sign of the adaptability and flexibility of New Yorkers. A characteristic I like.

You should also check out our party hosts websites. Magda who works at Magnum and is a photographer herself and Ian who is an illustrator.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 11:20 PM | Comments (7)

Pictures from our Day in Brooklyn Heights

After a cloudy day without sunshine the sun finally came out when we arrived at the river promenade in Brooklyn Heights in the evening.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 03:50 AM | Comments (3)

After two weeks in New York City

I've been in New York for two weeks already. Started to work at Magnum, spend about 50 hours on my way to and from work, met a lot of realy nice and interesting people, took a bunch of photos and even experienced a machine-gun shooting in my neighborhood just yesterday night while looking out of the window (nothing bad happend so far).

So what can I say after my first two weeks in the Big Apple? Everything seems to work out really well. I enjoy my work at Magnum Photos a lot. It's such an interesting place to work, the possibilities to learn are enormous. Being surrounded by these photographs all day long, doing photo research in Magnum's database as well as in photobooks published by Magnum or their photographers, learning from my colleagues through talking about photography, learning how to edit pictures through doing it, all these things are very enjoyable. I did some print- and webdesign already, helped resarching stories, shared ideas and framed prints. One of the best things about my new working surrounding is that all people here are really interested in photography. Some of them do take pictures on their own, others don't. All of them share a deep passion for the medium!

Other than that I do also enjoy my stay in New York City in my spare time. Watching people on the subway, walking round the streets on weekends, trying to capture this speciall something which makes this city so famous. What I mentioned is that it is a lot easier to get into touch with people, some just start talking to you on the street. If they don't but you'd like to know a little more about them start talking on your own. Interesting talks can arise out of that.
And there is something going on in this city all the time. Whenever I tried to attend a special event I heared about before, I never made it because there was something else coming in my way which was even more interesting to me.

Regarding photography, another thing which has to be mentioned is that you've really got so much more possibilities in New York than you've got in Vienna. There are lot's of museums, galleries, schools and of course photographers around. I'm sure New York is a rather tough place to work as a photographer since there are probably more of them then somewhere else. Never saw such a big density of people with their professional Leicas, Canons, Nikons or whatever around their necks.

I am in New York City now but I didn't get used to it so far. There is always something new to discover, something new to mention, new projects to develope, new people to meet. This is the way it should be.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 03:03 PM | Comments (5)

Arrival in New York City

I'm in New York City finally! I arrived on Wednesday at about 1:30 pm after a 10 hours flight from Vienna to London and to New York. The flight was alright although I didn't have a chance to get a seat near the emergency exit which would have been great because of the extra space for my feet. Anyway, after having my fingerprints and photo taken by an officer of the Homeland Security I got my travelling bag and headed out of the airport building to get a cab. About 20 minutes later I arrived in Co-Op City. So there is this European guy standing in the middle of Co-Op City at the northeast end of the Bronx with his camera bag and a big travelling bag.
After putting my stuff into the apartment of Victor - the guy I will be staying with for the next couple of months - I went down to the supermarket to get some sort of sore throat pastilles. But... They didn't help me (what else should I have expected).

So I came to New York after quite a few months of preparations and I am starting my stay with a rather bad cold. I am sniffing, I got a cough and I got sore throat. It seems to get worse from hour to hour. I guess the stress in the last weeks and the airconditioning on board the airplane, in the cab and on the subway have been to much for me. Well and since I forgot the plug adapter for my cameras batteries I went to Manhatten by train to get one. And of course it just started raining rather heavily when I came out of the station on 33rd Street.
To be honest, this situation peeved me quite heavily. I've been awake for about 50 hours, I am starting to get a cold just a few days before I start to work and now I am getting wet as well... Anyway - I got my cable and Victor who is working at the Brooklyn Academy of Music picked me up from Manhatten and drove me back to Co-Op City. We had pizza and a bottle of wine together this evening but I had to go to bed early. I just haven't been able to stay up longer.

I haven't been doing much yesterday. Wanted to make a day off, relaxing and sleeping a bit. So I've just been sitting and lying around, went to the "Bravo" supermarket where I already got my first customer card and went for a walk through Co-Op City...

Co-Op City is a rather interesting place to be from my point of view. It's completly different to what Manhattan stands for. Constructions for this apartment complex began in 1968 and up to now there are about 15.300 units in 35 buildings. As the name might already tell, it's kind of a city within the city. There are schools, shops, sports fields and a museum around here. Co-Op City does even have their own police force, the CCPD. As far as I can estimate that, the community in this part of the Bronx seems rather well build. Everyone is friendly, people seem to know each other more or less.

I am a guy from Austria who has been to New York City for two weeks last year. So a lot of the things I know about this city or rather belive to know come from TV. As everybody knows there are lot's of movies and series around which take place in the Bronx. Drug Dealers, murders and rapers do live there... At least in those movies. So I am full of prejudices because that's what I have learnt within the last 25 years. So living in the Bronx, seeing that there is a good ethnical mixture of people living here side by side is rather interesting. I feel very comfortable around here and I am looking forward on taking a deeper look into Co-Op City and the different sides of the Bronx.

Enough for now. I'll be heading towards Manhattan to meet the guys of Magnum Photos for the first time this afternoon. I am anxious to meet those people in person and to enter this significant bureau in which so many of the most influential photographs of the last 50 years are stored on 151 West 25th Street.

Posted by Martin Fuchs at 02:28 PM | Comments (12)