Our last and final day in New York was to be a low key day walking around Central Park, a meal, and a flight home in the afternoon.  We started with a coffee stop and our normal ride on a subway, this time to the Upper West Side to start our walk through Central Park.  As we started our walk Sue noticed a couple getting engaged as we were walking over one of the many bridges in the park.  The couple hired a photographer to capture the moment, and I was able to capture the entire moment, including Sue.  It was my first walk through Central Park and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  There were bikes, boats, random street performers, and beautiful views of the city.

As we made our way back to Central Park South, we decided to make a quick trip down to Rockefeller Center, so Sue could do some last minute shopping.  I took the opportunity for some more street photography and enjoy the day in the sun.  We had some lunch and then headed back to the hotel to grab the bags and a cab.

At the airport we had some beers and reflected on a great trip to New York.  I started to make some quick notes of our trip that I used as an outline for this series of posts.  There were a couple more photos and then home.

In the end I determined that the Fujifilm X-Series cameras are my new travel kit.  My confidence grew knowing that I didn't have to sacrifice image composition or quality.  Fuji has a winner in this series of bodies and lenses and I am excited for the future and my decision to move to the X-Series line.  Look for more of my adventures with the Fujifilm X-Series cameras in upcoming posts.

I was a little nervous before arriving in New York that I had only brought my Fuji cameras, leaving my Canon 5D MkII and lenses at home.  The part the made me nervous was not being able to get extra wide angle shots of street scenes and skyscrapers.  I had to think through my shots a little bit more, some times walk a little further, and know that I may have to sacrifice a few shots along the way.  What I gained was a new perspective on travel photography, more thoughtful and composed images, and a back that wasn't sore at the end of the day.  Below is how our day progressed and some of my favorite images I captured along the way.

We decided to fly in on Thursday morning, drops the bags at the hotel, and then hit the subway to start our "photo walk."  Our first stop was the World Trade Center Memorial, and if you ever get the opportunity you should definitely go.  There was a line, which moved quickly, and we were in the memorial in no time at all.

After the memorial, we hopped on the subway and it was off to SOHO to shop, view the architecture, and check out the streets.  SOHO was great and it offered Sue and I both something we wanted.  She went shopping and I stood out on the sidewalk shooting random people or scenes that I found interesting.

We made our way to the Flatiron District, which was on my list to photograph.  After I took a few shots, we spotted a park with a Burger and Shake place.  Seemed like a great place for a break for our feet and some beers.

It was finally time to go check-in at the hotel and with the kids to see how grandma and pappy were managing, clean up for dinner, eat,  and then a little walk to dessert.  The image of the skyline at night was captured on our way to dessert, and is somewhere around Dylan's Candy Bar, maybe a few blocks south.

That was our first day and I am currently reviewing and editing Day 2, more to come.

I took this on the way home Tuesday afternoon.  I was in my car waiting at the traffic light when he rolled up next to me.  I see this cyclist occasionally during my commute to work, and he commutes by bicycle almost daily, which is very impressive considering the stretch of road he travels and the weather he tolerates.  I am very excited that the weather is starting to warm up and I will be able to get out and ride more myself.

As a side note, when I was posting this image I noticed the title from last weeks post and decided to leave it the same.  Maybe next week will change it up.

I was able to capture a couple as they paused in front of an exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA.

We were shopping in Shadyside earlier this year, which resulted in me hanging out on the sidewalk taking photos.  While I was out taking photos, a group of guys walked by me, all following the man in black.

Earlier this summer Harper and I went to the Pittsburgh Zoo to take a quick walk and check out the animals.  I love people watching and I could sit for hours at some of the exhibits and have a great time. I was able to snap this while Harper was checking out the elephants.

I saw these guys on the way home from work.  The gentleman in blue was explaining to the kid in the bobcat that he would like him to go down the hill and perform some task.  He didn't seem to thrilled.

While all the kids are climbing and sliding in Kids Kingdom the parents sit on the benches and wait.  This particular dad caught my eye, sitting all alone with no one else to talk to.

I was walking at lunch time and one of the local schools was having an early dismissal.  It was a great scene with all the parents and school buses waiting.  The end of the school year is getting close.

I saw these two walking home the other day when I was on my way to get Jonah from school.  One of my goals is to capture more street and documentary style photographs.  So you will be seeing more of these types of photographs.  Enjoy!