Open Spaces

I walk my dog each morning around 7am. There really isn’t much going on. Stores are not open, very little traffic and even fewer people. What I like about early morning is it's a great time to look around and really see what this city has to offer. Walking Toby in the afternoon, on the other hand, is a lesson in patience. Tourist all over the place and city folk walking home from work (it's worst on the weekends). It’s not the best atmosphere for looking around. I spend too much time negotiating the obstacle course of people. Mornings are the time to sight-see.

There are many things that continue to surprise me here in New York City - so much to see, so little time. One of the most prominent things in the City are the open spaces - way more than in DC. They range from parks (there are loads of them) to small playgrounds. Even though some of the playgrounds look rundown; rusted, old and dirty, they all have a certain artiness to them. The cracks, rust marks on the walls, the missing nets are all very photogenic. They sit on corners of major streets, behind apartment houses and enclosed by large fences. People do use them - constantly. There are basketball games and tournaments, roller hockey and handball games and people hitting tennis balls. They are even used as make-shift dog runs. But the mornings are the best for seeing the beauty of these open spaces. It all makes out to be eye candy for the photographer.