8/09/2006

Church in Parking Lot

untitled

I was always tempted to call this, Church of the Holy Parking Lot. But now looking back on where I was standing (WTC Plaza) when I took it - it doesn't seem that funny. The longer I photograph, the more temporary everything becomes.

Photography is good at grabbing these scenes for posperity. What struck me as an odd juxtaposition years ago - turns out to also be a record, in this case of a scene that was blown away in an instant.

untitled

(Detail from one of the signs).

I shot this on a tripod with the EOS 50mm f1.4. You can easily read all the parking rates, and even the make of the air-conditioner sticking out of the back of the church. The monthly charge for cars was $329.81 plus: 18.25% city and parking tax. (And this was with the rather grainy Delta 400 film). I don't think the 50mm f1/4 was their cheapest lens - but it surely was one of their best.

Two Chefs

untitled
Early shot of the Metropolitan, with Canonet on tripod at dusk. This is the Egyptian Room. In 15 years since this shot was taken, I've never seen a catered affair at night in this spot.