Rising From the Ashes

Hey all,

Terribly sorry I’ve been remiss in posting new photos. I’ve been busy, but I want to get back in the habit of putting new images on the site. In order to catch up I may even create another blog to showcase pictures from our Halloween Party. I’ll keep you updated as things develop.

But now…pictures!

This is from May of 2004, my trip to the UK. This is the main hall of the British Museum, which is amazing.

Here is a view from the rooftop of the Hayward Gallery looking across the Thames. At the time they were hosting a pretty nifty Lichtenstein Exhibit.

NEXT UP…TEXAS

So I forgot my tripod...

Or rather thought I’d seem silly carrying it around all day in hopes of getting some good pictures of the fireworks from the Williamsburg waterfront rooftop we were watching them from. I’m truly sorry I didn’t convince myself otherwise. All of my fireworks shots have the wavy lights – signs of my inability to hold a camera completely steady for the seconds you need to get the shot properly. After the show was done, I set my camera on the edge of the rooftop and snapped this skyline view.



Next time, I promise…

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

In celebration of Independence Day, here are some shots from last year’s 4th: my trip to Las Vegas and California– in retrospect not the best of vacations, but it did offer up these daytime shots of Old Vegas which is off the beaten path from the current Strip. The 4th was a Sunday, so the streets were a little dead during the crispy hot day.

"Celebrate Brooklyn in 3-D"

Hey all,
Thanks to those who made it out to see my photo at the National Arts Club. The exhibit is no longer up, so I thought I’d post the picture that was on display for those who missed it.
“Celebrate Brooklyn in 3-D” is from a few years back when they were showing The Creature From the Black Lagoon in 3-D at the Prospect Park bandshell. I turned around to see everyone on the lawn behind us and was smitten by the image of everyone staring intently with their glasses on. Anyway, hope you like it…

These little piggies...

This is my old roommate Diana, who came home one day adamant that she was going to give me a pedicure. I agreed, but only if she in turn let me play with my camera and take pictures of her while she was doing it. The results are some of my better portrait shots.

Bacon & Friends

I recently learned that the father of my good friend Beth Haas passed away last week after a prolonged illness. I want her to know that my thoughts are with her. She’s always been there whenever I needed "Bacon & Friends," and I hope she can say the same of me.

2005 Mermaid Parade

Always one of my favorite events, here are a few shots from this year’s Mermaid Parade:





We arrived a little late, so we didn’t get to see as much of the parade and costumes as I would have liked, but we did get to enjoy my favorite thing about Coney Island, the Cyclone!



Here’s an interesting one. Next to Keyspan Park is the lot where the abandoned Thunderbolt roller coaster once stood. I had heard it was being made into a Parking lot, but it seems to be still completely overrun save for this structure where the police appear to stable their horses:



And finally, my favorite picture I’ve ever taken of the parade. This is from 2000 or 2001 and is the upper portion of a man’s costume where he’s dressed himself as the parachute drop with dangling Barbies in mermaid outfits.



Here’s a shot for comparison taken this year:


Next up…Texas!

I appreciate your support

I want to thank everyone who made it to the show opening last night. It was exciting to be able to share that experience with everyone. I’m working on getting stuff from my trip, but I have to resize the files still and haven’t had a chance to do so yet. Until then, here’s Bethesda Fountain in Central Park:

Reminder about the exhibit

Hey all,
I’m back in New York, no worse for the wear – though my luggage has gone AWOL. Just wanted to remind everyone about the show tonight. See all the pertinent information here:
http://bigtoephotography.blogspot.com/2005/06/my-work-on-display-at-national-arts.html

To tide you over until I get a chance to sort through all the great pictures I took on my trip and post a select few, here’s a shot of last year’s Mermaid Parade out in Coney Island, which is coming up this weekend. This little girl was rockin’ and boppin’ along to any music that paraded by. I highly recommend you check out the Mardi Gras of Brooklyn:
http://www.coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml

And now for something completely different...

People, or rather a person -- me. Attempts at a self-portrait from my rooftop toward the setting sun after a thunderstorm.

Longing for winter's return

OK, this heat is just ridiculous… Here’s a shot of a snow-covered Prospect Park in the hopes of ushering in cooler days.

Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital - 2004

These are from when I hopped the fence at Roosevelt Island (nearly breaking my foot) to take pictures of the abandoned Smallpox hospital, which is a gorgeously creepy place.



It was early November so the leaves hadn’t fallen or completely changed just yet.



This is from inside the building looking out.



Brick and stone rubble and wood cover parts of the inside.



The one large room opens up to reveal dozens of small trees overgrowing the insides.

My work on display at the National Arts Club

Hey everyone. Wanted to let you know of an upcoming event where one of my photographs will be on display as part of an exhibit dedicated to portraiture. My piece is called "Celebrate Brooklyn in 3-D." Here is the information from the National Arts Club's site (nationalartsclub.org):

6/20-6/29 in the Grand Gallery: "PORTRAITURE"--the Jr. Committee's exhibition featuring 20 portrait artists working in all mediums including sound and literature. This exhibition celebrates the NAC's commendation by the Portrait Society of America for outstanding commitment to Art Education. Opening reception: 6/21 at 8:30 p.m.

The National Arts Club is located at 15 Gramercy Park South (20th Street) between Park and Irving Place, on the southwest corner of Gramercy Park.


Info about the Tuesday night party, which I'll be attending immediately after the Marvel/DC softball game:
The Chairs of the Junior Committee of the National Arts Club have been hard at work producing the party. There will be live performances, plenty of booze and food and people. The party is open to everyone so feel free to invite whomever but please note that the NAC asks "all gentlemen to wear jackets and ties"

I hope you all can make it to the show.

Mark

Lions in Winter: Patience snowed in

Another Bryant Park shot from one of my favorite sets of pictures. In early 2003 we had a blizzard that started Sunday night and went all through Monday. I called in "sick" and went sledding. This is the following morning on the way to work.I have this particular shot framed and hanging on my bedroom wall.

Bryant Park Carousel

I work right by Bryant Park, and occasionally will sneak pictures while en route to the office in the morning.

Self-Inflicted Obsessions

So it seems I’m becoming fully enmeshed in this digital age. First I falter in my longstanding opposition to owning a cell phone and now I’m blogging!?!

Ultimately this is enabling me to do I’ve been intending for quite some time now – create a place to share my photographs with friends and strangers.

I can’t say for certain how frequently I’ll be updating this. Images will likely come in creative spurts when I find the time to scan or resize images, or perhaps more readily once I get that digital camera I’ve been eyeing. But I certainly welcome any and all comments or questions to anything I post. And you can always reach me at mbeaz@aol.com.

Best,

Mark D. Beazley

Big Toe Photography

http://bigtoephotography.blogspot.com/