What you see in Sunset Park: Happy Feet

snow assault, originally uploaded by suemejack.

What you see in Sunset Park: Wild Monk Parakeets

Wild Monk Parakeets at Brooklyn Bird Feeder, originally uploaded by brooklynparrot.

Yes folks, wild parakeets grow in Brooklyn. This image was actually taken a year ago but it is still an image many Sunset Parkers see fairly often when they are in Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn College, or even in your backyard if there is a fruit bearing bird feeder.

What you see in Sunset Park: Bike Seat

Bike Seat, originally uploaded by mnwpng.

Now that's what I call being creative.

I often see this bicycle by the 55th street post office (on 7th ave). I have not see it in use, however.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Peeper, originally uploaded by amigarad.

He sees you when you're sleeping...

What I saw in Sunset Park: Don Paco's Bakery

Feliz Navidad, originally uploaded by veesvision.

Don Paco's Bakery 4th ave and 47th street

They sell "rosca de reyes" here. Rosca de reyes is a loaf of bread typically to be eaten as a dessert on the eve or on Three Kings Day (Jan 6th.) The bread is rolled into a ring shape. Inside the bread is a prize. Be careful when eating this! I have heard of people actually cracking their teeth.

What you see in Sunset Park: View Outside

View Outside My Window, originally uploaded by Michael Comeau.

Spectacular!

What is most interesting are the dishes on the top of the buildings. No more antennas.

Sunset Park's Snowy Path

The first thing I wanted to do this morning was shoot the snow before anyone walked on it. You can't always get what you want, but sometimes... you get what you need. Thanks walker dude.

Shot in color, I used Lightroom to edit the colors and vignettes.

The Neighbor's Christmas Lights

Nothing says Christmas like decorative lights! Here are some homes that warm up the area on a typical crisp night.

Above image is a detail of the display below...

"Wow!" That’s all I could say. The photograph doesn’t do it justice. My cousin and I were taking bets… did they plan this all year? Or was it a weekend inspiration? Either way, these two brownstones finished off beautifully.

Shot on 50^th street between 4^th ave and 5^th ave.

This is a detail of the house on 50^th street.

Another cold and quite night on 4^th ave. Shot between 46 and 47^th street with a slow shutter. All of the colors are desaturated accept for the red.



This is a cute way to be greeted… The little drummer boy moves his arms to play the drum. I forgot what street this was on… I think it’s 47^th?... between 4^th and 5^th.

Next door to this house was the palm tree house(below). I must admit, got a little home sick after walking passed.

This image reminds of a parranda, a tradition practiced in Puerto Rico. What is a "paranda"? Please read below. A quote from elboricua.com.

" The parranderos [equivalent to carolers in the U.S.] arrive at the destination and then very quietly gather by the front door. At a signal all start playing their instruments and singing. The parrandas usually begin after 10pm in order to surprise and wake the sleeping friend. The parranderos are invited in and refreshments, music and dance follow. Of course we don't surprise unsuspecting victims. The parranderos are given plenty of "hints" before hand by the homeowner that he is ready to receive a parranda. "



Silent Night on 46th street between 4th and 5th aves.

What you see in Sunset Park: A Vacated Barber Shop

Barber Shop, Vacated, originally uploaded by josephx.

Barber shops are sometimes a home away from home. Especially when you get a trim every week or so. I have always wanted to be a fly on the wall during a busy night.

Although the space is vacant, it still looks like it gets a fair amount of traffic. Click the image to see more of josephx's images.

(Shot on 4th between 54th and 55th)

Sunset Park 1930s

Sunset Park 1930s, originally uploaded by KennyL2007.

KennyL2007 says..."This was 7th Ave, between 46th and 47th Streets. The bar on the corner was Hayes' Tavern (just reopened following prohibition repeal). The beauty parlor next door moved to 48th street, where I lived. The funeral parlor became a candy store, as I recall. No TV antennas! Notice the sign for Ruppert beer in the window of the bar, and the poster for the current movie at the Ritz Theatre on 8th avenue. "

What you see in Sunset Park: Fog

Sunset Park Foggy, originally uploaded by Steve aka Dj MiD-WAy.

Disclaimer:

It has come to my attention that images posted to this blog may not be ones the photographer wants to show. I would like to formerly state that if an artist posts images to Sunset Park Stills Flickr pool and/or Best View in Brooklyn Flickr pool, it is subject to being posted and commented on this blog.

The invitation to join this pool is open, anyone can join whether you are an amateur photographer or a full blown working artist. Young cats or old cougars. Again, everyone that has a photograph to share of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, can join whether it's from many years ago or moments ago. Click this to join the Flickr community. It's easy and best of all... it's free.

What I saw in Sunset Park: Sunset on a Taco Stand

Shot off of 5th ave in the 40's

What you see in Sunset Park: Statue and Tree

December at Greenwood, originally uploaded by musicmuse_ca.

musicmuse ca never disappoints us with the lovely poetic verses along with a matching image.

What you see in Sunset Park: Decorated Tombstone

Decorated Tombstone, originally uploaded by manzola.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Sunset Park Tree Lighting - 2, originally uploaded by veesvision.

Shot in Sunset Park during the 5th annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

Friends of Sunset Park's Maria Roca hosted a night of soft carols and hot coca.

Top picture was shot on 5th ave and 44th street next to Key Food.

What you see in Sunset Park: Chespirito

Chespirito, originally uploaded by buendiaproductions.

Thanks buendiaprodutions for shooting this. It brings back many memories.

Chespirito and El Chavo were part of a family show that began in the 1970's.

CHANFLES!

What you see in Sunset Park: Old Tracks (speak easy)

sunset park [1], originally uploaded by bobtrancho.

I believe this image was shot on 2 ave. That area of Sunset Park apparently had trolleys (this info is not something I personally have confirmed although the tracks speak for themselves).

Another rumor was there were a few Speak Easy s here in Sunset Park by the docks. An inside source tells a story of "accidentally" ;) finding themselves in one, while working as a Mover back in the 70's.

After finishing a shift, they and some colleagues toured an empty warehouse. A door stood out among the rest so they entered. To their surprise, it lead to an ornate basement quite obviously decorated in the 20's style complete with oak and brass furnishings. The conditions that made the biggest impression and gave them a clue as to where they were was a bar, table, and chairs.

What you see in Sunset Park: POW !

POW, originally uploaded by iandavid.

This shot looks to be on 5th ave and 45th. (see Great Wall on lower right side)

What I saw on the way to Sunset Park: music

N Train to Sunset: music, originally uploaded by veesvision.

I know you are not supposed to give money to musicians on the train but they are trying to make a living just like everyone else. Besides, I can't resist live music in a small venue. You can't beat a live concert (and photo) for only 1 dollar.

What I saw in Sunset Park: Carnivorous Shots

These images were shot on 5th ave. and are the first 2 images from what may be a series of "carnivorous shots" . Let's see what the winter brings.







The image on the left was between 45th street and 46th street.

The image above was shot on the corner of 50th .

What you see in Sunset Park: Mountains in the Sky

Mountains in the Sky, originally uploaded by Vicariously_Me.

Is an excellent example of the skies in this area of Brooklyn. Because Sunset Park is on the highest point in Brooklyn, the views are so dramatic from all directions.

Vicariously_Me shot this image back in May and says "I was walking home from getting a haircut and I looked up to see these puffy clouds. They looked like mountains and hills, and then all of a sudden I picked up speed and ran home to grab my camera to take a picture. I probably would have kicked myself for not taking it. But here it is..."

What you see in Sunset Park: smoke stacks

smoke stacks, originally uploaded by htcoogan.

Holgas are plastic cameras that are made so poorly, light leaks from all sides. One really has to wrap the camera with tape (no kidding) to make sure the film is protected. The images that are produced from the Holga are pretty much a surprise and photographers call them "happy accidents" because the light leaks and corner vignettes add a romantic feeling.

Shot with a Holga, the imperfections in this shot are what help the image and give some balance to the simple composition.

Click on the image to be redirected to more of htcoogan's work.

What you see in Sunset Park: Contemplation

She stood there a while, originally uploaded by jhnylake.

Probably wondering how many more 99 cent stores will open.

What you see in Suset Park: OUT IN FRONT

OUT IN FRONT, originally uploaded by musicmuse_ca.

This is the very first post for the blog and I wanted to make sure the image I chose was:

1. In Sunset Park Brooklyn

2. Mighty

3. Unexpected

This picture is from the Best View in Brooklyn Flickr pool and gave me those adjectives and one extra that I didn't expect... Powerful. If this doesn't say "yes, you can", show me what does.