Friday, October 22, 2010

Icarus is alive and well in NYC

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON. (Image ID:USA2010-29June-8848)


It was our first day in Manhattan in June this year - and as usual I was lagging a few metres behind the rest of the family when a chorus went up from the Authorbloglets. They were calling for my attention, above the joyous hubbub and throng that is Times Square.

I heard the call - and saw what they were pointing to. I had to run to get a clear shot of this pedicab operator in traffic. It was a decent sprint - especially when you consider I had to weave through the crowd, but at least I was able to get this tight shot as a result.

I only had time for one other, of the pedicab driver in the entire context of Times Square, before he went past me and I was able to shoot the rear view of his wings.

41 comments:

Unknown said...

I had a similar experience attempting to photograph a really funky, Mohawk-haired cyclist on Newbury Street in Boston last year! I also only got two shots and one of them was actually tight (as you put it). I may have trampled over a few pedestrians and their dogs but I did get a decent shot!

Great shot of the bird man.

Cheshire Wife said...

Icarus maybe alive and well but it seems that wings still do not work!

Katney said...

You can never cease to be amazed if you keep your eyes open--and your camera handy.

Jan said...

Great capture. NYC is full of wonderful photo ops. I once caught two guys carrying surfboards in Hell's Kitchen.

Hilary said...

Great shot, David. Do you think this is something he has perfected or was he just wingin' it? ;)

Moannie said...

You notice so much....and if ever you post an image or two without a splash of colour will be dead worried about you David!

saz x

Moannie said...

sorry david I is Saz signed in under Moannie name...sorry to confuse!!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Quick on the draw with your camera. I'm trying to catch a certain Mts Magpie for the Sunday Roast but she keeps flying off and escaping LOL.

Great shot David

Cloudia said...

great capture!




Aloha from Hawaii

Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

Brian Miller said...

ha. bet he definitely draw attention...hope his wings dont melt though...

Craig Glenn said...

Awesome shot David. Love the colors

Virginia said...

Merci to your entourage that is always on the lookout. Sometimes I have friends that are on the alert, other times I"m on my own and have the worry about where the heck the rest have wandered off to.

Terrific shot my friend.
V

Jules~ said...

What a great way to advertise his business. He certainly gets noticed.

In Portland, Oregon I often see a popular bumper sticker that says, "Keep Portland Weird". I always laugh at it because I figure each town and city has its own form of weird and isn't pocketed only in the great NW.

Blessings to you and your day today.

Ayak said...

Great photo!

david mcmahon said...

Gee, Pagan Sphinx, that's a good story. Next time I'm in town we can photo-hunt together!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Cheshire Wife, maybe he was cycling to the airfield.

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Katney, maybe my head swivels all the time!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Jan - is the (great) photo of the two blokes on your blog? Sounds great - could you give me the link?

david mcmahon said...

Nice work, Hilary. Funny you should use that phrase - because when I posted this image on red Bubble (while I was in NYC) the title was: ``In New York traffic, ya gotta wing it'' .....

david mcmahon said...

Thanks so much, Moannie - you're right about how colours magnetise me!

david mcmahon said...

Er, make that "thanks, Saz"!!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Eddie, would that be Quintessential Magpie? I've long been a fan of her work.

david mcmahon said...

Thanks so much, Cloudia - I had to get the shot!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Brian - it was a relatively cool 26 degrees (C) that day, so I think the wax was safe!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks so much, Craig. Appreciate it.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Virginia,

My "spotters" got a bonus that day, for sure!

david mcmahon said...

Sound like a great message, Jules! And you know how I love quirky shots.

david mcmahon said...

Thank you, Ayak - it was worth the sprint!

Anonymous said...

Only in NY! Great pic.

My Unfinished Life said...

nice shot!!!!.............

CiCi said...

What really got to me is that your family is on the lookout for photo subjects for you. It is a family project. I love that! I can just see you sprinting to get through the crowd and get to a place to take this picture. I am so glad you did. This picture is awesome.

Charles Gramlich said...

That's just cool!

Daryl said...

I am still GREEN with envy at this shot .. I guess he molted right after you snapped him because I havent seen him ....

ArtistUnplugged said...

So enjoyable!!!!! Soooooo great to have you back!!!!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, LadyFi - I had been in Times Square for only a few minutes!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Shooting Star - very kind of you.

david mcmahon said...

Hi TechnoBabe - they knew I was looking the other way!

david mcmahon said...

Very lucky, Charles - that my kids spotted him and that I had time to sprint over!

david mcmahon said...

Funny you should say that, Daryl - I wondered at the time if he was kinda like a Times Square regular, like the Naked Cowboy.

david mcmahon said...

What a warm welcome, ArtistUnplugged - thanks so very much for dropping by! Much appreciated.

King of New York Hacks said...

I've see that dude. Very cool that you did too.