Lens-Artists Challenge #88 – CHAOS
“New York; a whole cacophony of sounds and tastes that all somehow came together to form something beautiful”
Aishabella Sheikh
This week Ann-Christine’s Chaos challenge comes just one day after the U.S. declaration of a National State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 virus. As we entered New York City just last week, we were aware of a whole new level of chaos about to descend, especially in high-density areas like New York. In the opening image I’ve shown our plane’s wing as we flew over lower Manhattan on our approach to LaGuardia Airport. In the photo you can see One World Trade Center under the far end of the wing. It is the tallest building in the western hemisphere, standing where the Twin Towers were located prior to 9/11. Many have noted parallels to the heightened state of awareness the world now faces as nations work to protect their citizens from the spreading pandemic.
“The city was a hive from this height, the people and the yellow cabs moving about in the street below like insects.”
David Levien
Home to over 70,000 residents per square mile, on weekdays that number more than doubles due to the commuting population. During our visit the city seemed slightly less crowded than usual, as businesspeople began telecommuting, schools began teaching on-line and tourists began to cancel their travels.
Virus not-withstanding, during normal times NYC residents speak over 800 languages. Stand on any street corner in Times Square to get a clear picture of the chaos that can bring. On the other hand there are oases of calm, such as the city’s Central Park shown in the image above. Measuring 843 acres (341 hectares) the park hosts 42 million visitors each year. Note the line of uber-expensive apartment buildings on the park’s edge – John Lennon and Yoko Ono chose one of them as their NYC residence.
“New York…the crowds, the noise, the traffic, the expense, the rents; the messed-up sidewalks and pothole-pocked streets…”
Bill Hayes
Recognized as one of the world’s busiest commercial centers, the city also features fabulous museums, incredible theatre, an amazing music scene, world-class shopping and beautiful architecture ranging from elegant brownstones to towering modern-art skyscrapers. Not surprisingly, it is also rife with chaos. Can you imagine the amount of infrastructure it takes to keep the city going? There is upkeep and maintenance of the airports, bridges, tunnels, trains, subways, roads and schools. Beyond that, a complex water system delivers a Billion gallons of drinking water daily. Massive energy systems, intricate state-of-the-art telecommunication systems, and over a million buildings all require constant attention. I honestly felt we saw or heard some level of maintenance or new construction at every corner in the city.
“When you leave New York, you are astonished at how clean the rest of the world is.”
Fran Lebowitz
All of this week’s images were made with my iPhone 8+ . Those taken from the air are cropped and edited for detail. The final image seemed a bit “vintage” to me due to its pixelation. As a former Nikon photographer, I shot it specifically because of their huge sign in front of Citi field (home of the NY Mets baseball team in the Queens Borough of NYC). I loved the way Manhattan appears in the background, rather like the Emerald City of Oz 😊. Seeing the density of the homes between Queens and Manhattan highlights the immensity of the obstacles we face in controlling the chaos of the spreading virus.
Sincere thanks to Ann-Christine for challenging us to rise above despair and focus on more positive possibilities despite our fears. Timing, as they say, is everything. She, Amy, Patti and I look forward to seeing your interpretations. Be sure to link them to Ann-Christine’s original post here, and to add the Lens-Artists TAG so that we can more easily find you.
We all very much appreciate Miriam’s joining us as last week’s Guest Host, and enjoyed going through your many beautiful responses to her Reflections Challenge. We hope you’ll join us next week as Amy brings us Challenge # 89. In the meanwhile, follow the recommendations of certified authorities, avoid fake news, and stay safe!
gorgeous shots of NYC…truly a different city right now…hoping for a more normal sooner than later!!
Sadly, don’t think our planned visit in June is going to happen. They’ve been hit so very hard.
Fantastic post! I love New York! 😍
Thanks, me too😊
What great pictures of New York City taken from the plane! And, with your iPhone nevertheless…. Impressive. I really like the “vintage” image of the Mets ballfield with Queens and Manhattan in the background. The subtle colors and clarity of the buildings is awesome.
Thanks Sylvia – don’t expect we’ll be in a plane again any time soon 🙁
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I don’t think it’s possible right now, but I hope that one day I can go back to New York.
I’ve been looking at and commenting on this week’s challenge articles and I recognize that they help me not to feel so alone in these moments of global chaos.
Great post, Tina.
Take care and stay safe.
Thanks Ana, I agree wholeheartedly
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Tina, I have a request. I was supposed to fly to Amman this week, but since I’m grounded, as it were, I’m thinking of creating a “virtual travel post” on Jordan. All I can do is link to the posts of other bloggers, but readers will see gorgeous pictures from those who have actually gone there. Would you allow me to link to one of your posts? And share the link to your gallery pictures of Jordan? No pressure. I’ll go along with anything you decide.
Hi Rusha, Of course you can link to my Jordan shots. I think your idea is truly wonderful!! T
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Great atrial shots, Love you Lincoln Center photo!
P.S. I’ll send you a post from the guy I’m taking a class from by email.
Thanks Svetlana
Images of New York will always raise my spirits Tina. Thank you. I hope you are well during these challenging times. Be safe.With my warmest wishes as always.
Thank you Andrew. Trying times, doing our best to follow all recommendations as I’m sure you are. Our best to you and yours as well. Be safe
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Nice shots from on high. Love the pixelation in the Citi Field photo – it gives the feel of a painting. For a moment, I thought that’s what you did.
A lot of things are shuttering up here – restaurant dining rooms, bars, really anywhere that draws a crowd – for at least 30 days. Besides the run on toilet paper, paper towels, and paper napkins, both supermarket chains (Kroger and Safeway) were out of potatoes (bagged and loose). Don’t know why, lol.
Stay well. 🙂
Thanks David, I really liked the effect too but didn’t do it on purpose 🙂. Shuttering here too, same list, no end date announced. Batten down the hatches, it’s ugly out there. You be well too.
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Wow. Great shots, great perspectives. They give one a good sense of Mankind’s ‘sprawl’. I think the ants are jealous of our building proliferation.
LOL I suspect we could still learn from them John. Thanks very much
Whew, I don’t know if a country girl like me would cope in a place like New York, with more than the entire population of NZ squashed in. Great photos though Tina.
well that IS an interesting way to look at it Wendy – I hadn’t thought of that! Yep, they are squashed in for sure. Not the place you want to be right now but in better times tons of fun – even for a country girl 🙂
Great shots of NYC Tina. It’s an amazing place that everyone should visit at least once. Nice shot of Citi Field…hopefully we’ll get this stuff behind us and it will be filled with fans watching baseball, enjoying the game and the only thing they’re thinking about catching is a foul ball 🙂
Thanks Andy. Your lips,,,God’s ears
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It is a huge city and I am glad to be living in the countryside – I was only saying to the kids today how lucky they are to have a big garden and fields where they can go and walk and run and to think of the children stuck in cities. Stay safe and well Tina.
I agree MM, I surely wouldn’t want to be living in a city right now, that’s for sure. I’m a nature lover so our little corner of the world suits me just fine. But the city is tons of fun when the time is right.
Tina, yes, that last image especially is a metaphor how dense and widespread the health chaos is affecting our lives. Stay safe and well.
Thanks Sally – you too!
Amazing images to capture the immense size of NYC and perhaps why this city is struggling with the current situation, Tina! Where you are in South Carolina is probably similar to Sacramento, smaller city, more open spaces. Ironically, speaking of chaos, we are getting tons of Sierra snow but resorts are closed due to current events.
Yes, my brother lives in Colorado and they closed the slopes there effective today Terri. Such a crazy world these days. Makes me happy to live in a more remote place but unfortunately lots of folks are coming here to avoid being in the cities. Sigh. Stay safe!
Thanks, TIna, stay safe as well!!
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Thanks for the nod and the link Micheal. I laughed out loud!
Wonderful aerial views Tina. I have not been to NY and hardly likely to now, at least for a while. I’m not that excited by big cities any more, too crowded and too chaotic – so an excellent choice for the challenge this week 🙂
I know what you mean Jude. But for me, having family there means visits. I often think, well, it could be some hard-to-reach spot in the far corners of Iowa or somewhere else LOL. I do enjoy our visits but am always happy to get back home
New York, New York … a hub of so many stuff … you’ve described it well, Tina.
Thanks Perpetua, it really is an amazing place
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You images of New York are spectacular!
Thanks very much Beth – it’s quite a sight when you’re lucky enough to get a clear day and a low approach.
Excellent example of organized chaos, Tina! Love your first shot especially, your brilliant quotes and explanation of the city’s structure. It is indeed amazing that it all runs as smoothly as it does. From a distance – I love visiting NY too. And remembering your fantastic images of some famous buildings from up close – of course it is a spectacular chaos!
Stay safe on your beautiful island.
Many thanks Ann-Christine. NYC offers a perfect opportunity to illustrate chaos – just as equally they illustrate how to navigate and control it. In these trying times it’s the latter we need to focus on and emulate. Friendships , family and access to online communications are all helpful as we navigate the current storm. Your challenge is perfectly timed!
The timing was a coincidence really – so surprising. And yes, control is essential – if possible.
A wonderful post,really introducing the city in a positive way.
Thanks very much Margaret, it’s a magnificent city which offers a great example that chaos really can be managed. Hopefully we’ll navigate the current storm equally well.
Nice captures, especially the first one.
Thanks Arv, it’s a real treat to fly over the city when the skies are clear
Absolutely
Wow Tina! I loved how you presented the Big Apple , an order in the chaos in both your words and pictures. Great post !
Thanks so much Sheetal – the timing worked out well for A-C’s challenge 🙂
Fascinating post, I enjoyed reading about NY. …and I loved your photos!
Thanks very much Lisa – quite a departure from our everyday coastal SC world!
New York City, has a special spot in my heart, as I love the chaos, but feeling very comfortable with it, yet only as a visitor. You certainly captured is amazingly well, thank you Tina for your post with all lines along.
My sentiments exactly Cornelia – a wonderful place to visit but not a place I’d want to live. The frenzy is much more appropriate for those much younger than I 🙂
Indeed.
As I was looking through your pictures and reading your words, Tina, Bette Midler’s “From a distance” got stuck in my head.
🙂 Makes perfect sense Dries! Now it’s stuck in mine too LOL
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Great collection Tina. I like the effect of the Citi Field photo. It resembles a watercolor, particularly the skyline.
Thanks Paulie, I thought so too. Pure lunch I’m embarrassed to admit😊
A+++++
TY TY TY😊
I love New York City and myfirst tie there I was only 4 and I loved it then too. Thanks for sharing these photos. As for the chaos…..it is good to focus on the positive.
Thanks Anne, I love it too but to visit, not to live😊. And I agree positive focus is so critical right now
Great photos of the big Apple, Tina. The first capture is remarkable.
Home to over 70,000 residents per square mile… a brilliant post to express chaos.
Thanks Amy – Hard NOT to find some examples of chaos in NYC!
Although NYC can seem chaotic, for its population & side it is pretty well organized even during challenging times like now.
I agree Chava, considering what they have to deal with it’s amazing the city continues to run effectively
Wonderful shots and quotes, Tina. New York is a unique city, as are the people who live and work there, my son being one of them.
Thanks Sylvia. Isn’t is great to have family there, such that you can visit often but don’t have to live there?!?!
Good photos from the air, nothing like looking down at NYC
Thanks Alice – unfortunately it’s unusual to have such clear skies on the approach!
Thanks Patti – the timing of Ann-Christine’s challenge, it turns out, was perfect. As for us, we were fortunate that the event that was the purpose of our trip, which was critically important, happened when it did and not two weeks later. As for interconnection, yes thank goodness we live in an age when social interaction does not have to be in person!
Ever so wonderful. I have never seen NY from the air showing so much. What a treat. Thanks for sharing this chaos Tina 🙂
Thanks Brian, we were very lucky to fly in low without a cloud in the sky. I did have to edit out the dirt on the plane windows though LOL.
lol
Makes me miss NY. No spring trip this year. Stay safe, T, even in your bubble!
Thanks Jane. Sadly even the bubble is unsafe these days. As you know we have so many visitors on the island every day it’s frightening to think about what germs they’re bringing with them. You be safe too!
We’ve been self-isolating for a couple weeks now. Different story in a big city, for sure, although everyone should be practicing it now. It’s alarming being in a high risk demographic. Stay healthy!
Beautiful images, Tina, as always, and much food for thought. I love your header shot and the aerial image of the city is marvelous. You had a fabulously clear day. How wonderful! I share your wish that there are positive outcomes from the pandemic. For one, we’ll realize how interconnected we are–even when we are quarantined.
Just turned on the laptop for the first time in a few days, Tina, so I haven’t yet seen Ann Christine’s post, but if anyone can motivate us to rise above these troubled times it’s you lovely ladies. Thank you all for being our cheerleaders, and please stay safe. 🙂 🙂
Jo, I so appreciate your comment and will forward it to the other ladies of the team. These are troubled times indeed and knowing we are not alone is part of what makes them tolerable. You stay safe out there too.
This is my favorite way to see New York City… from a distance! 😉. We love to watch “Blue Bloods” on Friday night and whenever they show a beautiful picture of the city from above, I always think the same thing. Lovely shots, though, and be well.
janet
LOL thanks Janet. These days I’d have to agree, from a distance is definitely in order these days.
Well, you’ve certainly illustrated some chaos, Tina! Stay safe in these challenging times
Thanks Sue – working on it!
Wow!
Thanks Andre (I think 😊)
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These made me homesick…
Haven’t had such a beautiful flyover as you captured in a long time.
Thanks Laurel – I was lucky….usually I’m the one directly over the wing 😡