Day 380 (January 15, 2015) – New York, NY
I realized that I’ve become quite the coffee snob lately. The coffee at the office just doesn’t do it for me anymore. It was only a few years ago that office coffee meant going to the gas station next door for a cup of mud. And now I’m in a fancy office with fancy coffee and still it’s not enough! What’s wrong with me?!?! Today’s stop.. JOE in Grand Central Station. I gotta get my fix and apparently I’m not the only one.
Day 336 (December 2, 2014) – New York, NY
Grand Central Station during Christmas season is like a wonderland. There are twice as many people / tourist wandering around…taking photos…marveling at the stars on the ceiling….and going to the Apple store. It’s both fast paced and frozen. But there is just something in the air. I don’t know what it is…but Grand Central is always a special place during the holidays.
Day 66 (March 7, 2014) – New York, NY
“One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley.
There are moments when I’m absolutely floored by subway musicians playing their hearts out for a few dollars from rushing commuters who are typically oblivious to any sounds other than the chimes of closing subway doors or the distinct rumblings of a train pulling into the station. The busy footsteps of fleeting passengers and the occasional rolling suitcase or bag adds to the sounds of the daily commute. But, on this Friday night, there are strings added to orchestra and a soothing melody that disrupts the normal chaos. I notice rushing commuters slow their step as they are drawn to two street musicians sliding bows across strings with the dexterity of a philharmonic string section. Their heads and bodies sway with sounds of Mozart and Bach and Beethoven and chorus of footsteps. (side note: I have no clue if I’m listening to Mozart, Bach or Beethoven – they are just my default characters when I think about classical music. I could be listening to a song by YoYo Ma or any other classical musician. All I know is…it’s beautiful).
Along with other weary commuters I stop and take in the sounds. I’ve seen these guys before. I’ve dropped a few dollars in the violin case before. I’ve wondered about their story. (We all have stories.) At first glance you wouldn’t peg them for classically trained musicians. I know…you can never judge a book by its cover, but still. The baggy jeans and over sized shirts probably hiding muscular arms sculpted from drags and pulls of bows over tight strings. With a closer inspection you will see worn hands and creases in skin that would seem to indicate hard lives. But still, I don’t know their story.
Today, I am grateful for the impromptu subway symphony these two musicians provide this lonely and tired commuter on his way home after a long week. I listen to two or three songs with a crowd of passengers growing. Like me, they realize that they actually weren’t in a rush to go nowhere. We applaud the street musicians for being masters at their craft. A few dollars and loose coins are their reward as we show appreciation for their passion and the gift of music they provide this night. Before I head out. I lift my camera and release the shutter wishing you could hear the beautiful sounds as I slowly walk to the train.
Day 58 (February 27, 2014) – New York, NY
It’s funny…the only time you see the consolations and other random stars in New York City is when you visit the planetarium at Natural History Museum…or if you look up while you walk through the main concourse of Grand Central Station.
I mean, in a city with a billion lights that never sleeps, you almost never see stars at night. Of course there is the occasional sighting of the North Star or maybe its a distant planet shining bright on a clear night. A looooong time ago…I actually took a couple of astronomy classes in college, so I know my way around a star or two. But again…seeing them in NYC… na.. that dont’ really happen. Of course…we see all types of other “stars” walking down the street and what not. You might bump into P. Diddy in midtown or Robert De Niro in Tribeca. Either way, you are more likely to see people you’ve seen on TV than you likely to see a sky full of stars.
That being said…I love the stars I see every night walking through Grand Central even if they are just painted on the ceiling.
Day 51 (February 20, 2014) – New York, NY
I often feel alone on the crowded NYC platforms and trains. Amidst the chaos that is the daily commute some find solitude.
Each morning and each evening l follow the zombie line of commuters walking at a feverish pace to get home or to work. We rush to board overcrowded trains, squeezing into every last bit of space. If you’ve ever been on a rush hour subway, you realize there is no such thing as personal space and if you are reading something (book, newspaper, ipad, etc.) others are reading it along with you. (Note to self – make sure my fellow passengers finish reading the page before I turn.) What I like about this crowded experience is the fact that I can still zone out – just me and my podcast (usually – Snap Judgement, Freakanomics or BBC Documentary). Never mind the person stepping on my foot or the overaggressive hipster who steps in front of me as if I wasn’t there…..na…never mind them. Not even the trying to dance for money despite the evil glare tired commuters give them. Na…nothing is bothering me. I’m alone in the crowd. Just trying to get home.
Day 49 (February 18, 2014) – New York, NY
“Some folks are born to wave the flag, Ooh, they’re red, white and blue” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Every so often there is a strong military presence in New York. I’m not talking worst than the police state that Giulini ushered in inthe late 90s. Soldiers, who all appear to be in their early 20s, can be seen carrying M-16s as commuters rush home after a long day in the office completely unfazed by their presence. On these days, every soldier I see reminds me just how vulnerable we are at times and that there are people out there willing to harm the innocent. I know this has been our reality since the towers dropped and we entered endless wars, but it still unnerves me at times. I look into the faces of the soldiers I see and it’s hard not to wonder about their backgrounds and what the circumstance was that caused them to enlist. Patriotic duty? Promise of international travel? Lack of economic opportunity at home? Simply, a way out? What ever their story is I have to respect what they do even if I don’t agree with some of the fights we have chosen. To the men and women who protect us everyday, I salute you.
Day 37 (February 6, 2014) – New York, NY
I’m getting ready for a board meeting, so I don’t have much time to shoot. After a long day at the office I snapped this image on my way to catch the 7 train (then the G) home. I’m thinking about doing a series on the architectural details of Grand Central Station, but I need to do my research first and scout out the different vantage points to photograph the building.
Day 21 (January 21, 2014) – New York, NY
It’s snow like crazy outside, but I didn’t have the time to capture New York as a winter wonderland. Half of the office left early and I’m sure they could have gotten great shots of kids playing in the snow, dogs looking for lost balls in a foot of powder or the thousands of commuters trudging through slush. But for me, the show went on and my last meeting finished well after 6 pm and frankly, I wanted no part of staying out side any longer than I had to. So, as I rushed through Grand Central Station (again) I looked up to admire the beauty of the chandlers that hang in the side hallways. When standing directly beneath them, they looked like spring flowers on a snowy day.
Day 15 (January 15, 2014) – New York, New York
On my way to the 7 Train for the long crowded journey back to Brooklyn (I take the 7 to the G and that’s were the long part usually starts because it’s perpetually late!). I usually head straight down the maze of tunnels with commuters rushing in every direction, but today I decided to spend a little time in Grand Central Station. Rather than joining the rush hour dash, I sat back and watched people sprint to catch a commuter train, tourist marvel in the architecture of the station, and endless hugs as friends or lovers were reunited. Rather than the traditional main concourse shot, I ventured to one of the side hallways to make my image. I was drawn to the contrast of architectural shapes and shadows cast by natural and artificial light. When the crowd began to lull, I shot. Catching a few faceless souls heading home or to their next adventure.
Shawn Escoffery Photography - 365 Project 