Calm vol. 60

Nothing exciting, but it gives a little overview of what has been offered to gossip, fashion, health and beauty readers in 5th Avenue's newsstand. A calm moment.

The Empire State Building

I have posted photos of the 102-story high The Empire State Building before, but it is hard to get around it even when not in NYC anymore, as this skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets looks good IRL and also on photos.

Its name is derived from the nickname for New York, the Empire State. It stood as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years, from its completion in early 1931 until the topping out of the original World Trade Center's North Tower in late 1970. It is currently the fifth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States and the 25th-tallest in the world. 

The Empire State Building is generally thought of as an American cultural icon. It is designed in the distinctive Art Deco style and has been named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. When walking in the city, it looks like the building is so close, but since it is huge, it just seems so. 

It is nice warm weather currently in NYC at 19 C.

S.

Though this woman and her family are living in US now, they still practice actively their religion, eat the food the ate back at home and speak Hindi at home. US is a huge melting pot for many nationalities, many people arrive here with the American Dream. I am not sure how likely is to succeed with it on these days, but what does matter is that we shouldn't forget our roots wherever our new home may be.

Tim

This is Tim. My first photography mentor. Our paths crossed through a weird chance. Thank you internet for making us friends. Never in my wildest dreams I would have knows that I will met him in person and get to be part of his family for some time. I loved every single time in their company, wonderful, warm and kind people. I still think dearly of that time when I was there and I got to do some great photography and he shared me tips of this and that. He asked me to take his photo. I liked this one the most, which shows him at Keeneland, world famous thoroughbred horse racing facility. where he has been taking photos for decades. I got to see where all the magic happened.

Tim, thank you!

Tom the cat

I went through my photos, which I yet haven't published online and the only animal photo I came across was this with a plastic cup and Tom the cat on it :) There you go, my animal photo for you today.

Burst

Park in the Raleigh, North Carolina.

Three chocolate boys

I had these portraits left from Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Kentucky. What a variety, uh?

Unfortunately I have no information about their whereabouts and well-being. It was great to meet them and be a part of their lives.

Calm vol. 59

Hahahaa, very original, right? Well, my first independent day in NYC definitely included a map. If I think of that day, oh boy what a scared little girl I was there. I am glad I survived in this concrete jungle in the first place :D I marked down the bus station, and the sights I wanted to see. I took the photo, so I do not have to reveal every single time when I have to check where I am, that I am little silly tourist, as I could just find the photo nicely from my camera. This is quite a close up, as the lower part also revealed Ground Zero and Brooklyn Bridge, which was my last sights during my 20 km walk. Needless to say that next day I spent in bed. Not in NYC though.

Department Store

I must say, I do not have many photos of department stores, because I never think much of a photography when visiting them, also in most of the places taking photos is illegal anyway. There has been at least one exception, I took photos at Macy's Center City in Philadelphia. While staying there I was taken here and there by my wonderful host Mr. H.

There is a quite an interesting story about the past of Macy's Center City, which in the beginning wasn't called like that at all. It was called Wanamaker's department store. It was the first department store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the first department stores in the United States. 

At its zenith in the early 20th century, Wanamaker had department stores, located both in Philadelphia, and 2 locations in New York City; at Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street, and the other at 770 Broadway. Both employed extremely large staffs. 

By the end of the 20th century in the shopping-mall era, there were 16 Wanamaker's outlets, but after years of change the chain was bought by Albert Taubman, and added to his previous purchase of Woodward & Lothrop, the Washington, D.C., department store. In 1994, Woodies, as it was known, filed for bankruptcy. The assets of Woodies were purchased by the May Company Department Stores and JCPenney. 

In 1995, Wanamakers transitioned to Hecht's, one of the May Company brands. As of 2012, the occupant of the former Philadelphia Wanamaker's Department Store is Macy's Center City.

The fame and fortune, the crash and change.

Anyway, but look at the photo and imagine how beautiful one department store can be.

Welcome to the USA!

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Philadelphia, PA

Introduction to USA

I am terribly sorry, that I do not know this guys name, though I chatted a bit with him and I really enjoyed his lecture, but one thing I know is that he is from the States. I am sure you figured that out yourself. He is married to an Estonian woman, so I am sure his Estonian is pretty good by now. Today six years ago I crossed US border. 

Off

This is the time - birds are leaving and we get poorer....sadness.

Angle

Tree is an interesting subject. You look up and you look close, you get completely different results. Pure beauty.

Stylish girl with turban

Beauty meets comfort.

Calm vol. 58

The text says: better coffee than in your office. This is not the main thing.

But the idea of summer, how you just leave your shoes and go wild. Maybe you never return to them and there they are becoming a matter of still-life.

Hallway

Hallway has always been a loved word for me. Especially in Estonian - koridor. They are connections from point A to point B. Often overlooked, often boring, often long. Sometimes life is like that. Or sometimes bright, sometimes light, sometimes special...as again - just like life. 

Here is one not so ready hallway, waiting works to be done and life to move in. Soon...

Yawn

Boring....school has started!

A le poiss

Well, not sure what will become of that boy...

Garfu

Eyes, eyes, the mirror to the soul.

Redrise

The most colorful sunrise I have ever seen. Striking colors caught as a total surprise...enjoy.

Guys wearing red

Just saw so many guys wearing something, so therefore decided to put together a series.

Calm vol. 57

London town in Reykjavik.

Red bricks

Red bricks makes a nice background while shooting, don't they? Ruins sounds even better. Anyway we have a great location in old town, which is a great place to take your models for a shoot. The place is actually called Tartu Cathedral and it is from the 13th century, so quite old and historic. You can read about it HERE.

Olli

Olli has been so far the coolest cyclist I have ever met. Look at that red hair, too. She was featured at my worldbicyclist.blogspot.com awhile ago. I encourage cycling, as much as possible, while the weather still permits, if not, get a nice rain jacket :)

Boys of Admiralteyskaya

In a course of few years I have been taking photos of the young players of Admiralteyskaya from St. Petersburg, Russia. I have seen them growing, their uniforms changing and skills getting better. Here are few shots of the guys playing in Tartu and Rakvere. I do not know them all personally, but I have shared few words with them. 

Here, little-little!

I drove with my friends to take photos of eleven tiny kittens. The place where the foster family lived, had many other animals as well. The keeper was a young girl who got along with all of them. Here she was feeding a young turkey. Wow!

Urban nature

Old youth

Children on these days look so grown-up!

Knock-knock, let me out! - Calm vol. 56