How to Dry Clothes in 2012
A quasi self-portrait at a local laundromat, on 5th Avenue. This image really throws me back to those old tall rusty poles we still find in some backyards around here. They were meant for the clotheslines that everyone used back then to dry their clothes. They have been completely replaced by these big driers at laundromats. How times change. I wonder if this picture will someday be seen as a throwback to some ancient technique. How We Used To Dry Clothes In The Early 21st Century.
21st century, drier, laundromats, self-portrait iPhone
On New Year's morning I was having a very lazy breakfast at Root Hill Cafe. Between munching on my bagel and reading the Times, I looked up and saw this gorgeous shadow on the side of their kitchen wall. Despite owning a handful of cool cameras and lenses, the only one that I had on me was my phone camera.
Annie Leibovitz recently praised the iPhone as one of today's most important cameras. It's certainly better than what Ansel Adams used. I am a firm believer in the cliche that the best camera is the one that you have on you. Every person has a mental list of potential photos that they missed taking for one reason or another. I would of been kicking myself for weeks if I would of missed this one.
And I am not lying
Many people do not know that New York has a rather vivid storytelling scene. Park Slope in particular plays host to several wonderful shows. For those who aren't familiar with storytelling, imagine a "This American Life" and "A Prairie Home Companion" hybrid minus the restrictions of public radio. People stand behind a microphone an give the audience a truthful intimate look at a slice of their life story. The above photo is of Jeff Simmermon hosting his fab storytelling/variety show called "And I am not lying."
I first met Jeff at an event in the City. Afterwards we got dinner, and he regaled us with stories for hours. I rode the train with him back to Brooklyn and missed all my possible stops because I didn't want to break our conversation. It was so worth the 45 minute walk back to my apartment in South Slope. The next morning I woke up to a several paragraph email from Jeff continuing what we were discussing. These are the type of awesome genuine people that share at storytelling shows.
"And I am not lying" goes down at Union Hall every month. It's a perfect show to get you addicted to storytelling.
Canon Rebel T2i, 50mm, f/2.8, 1/200, -2 EV, ISO 3200
City Skyline
A view of the Manhattan skyline from a Park Slope apt. That's the corner of 12th St & 5th Ave down there. In the center of the image, in the distance, the new World Trade Center tower under construction, with it's two huge cranes on the top. It's going up fast.
Steve's C Town
A Little up the hill from Continental Car Service, on 9th St, there's this supermarket called Steve's C Town. They do home delivery, which is pretty great since we're all pedestrians around here. There's a girl there who's particularly good at efficiently packing the boxes for delivery. She doesn't waste an inch of space. I complimented her ability one day. She replied in a very dry, unemotional, factual way, while still packing. "Tetris" she said, "I'm awesome at Tetris".
Continental Car Service
If you don't live in NYC you might not know about "car services". They are basically the taxis of the outer burroughs, since the famous yellow cabs are only for Manhattan. This place in the photo is the base station of one of Park Slope's car services, on 9th Street.
Continental, car service, yellow cabs 
4th Ave Arch. II
An interesting detail at the SE base of the F train 4th Ave Arch bridge. It's in the middle of a major restoration. I'm really looking forward to seeing this project finished. I think that's a particularly beautiful arch, that's been hidden for years under layers of neglect.
Stay focused
When I'm not behind my camera, I stay busy at my day job as an eye doctor. I work in the city at a charming little practice called Pretty Handsome Optometry. To show my appreciation to the PSL fans, we're making a special offer for all our readers: get an eye exam AT NO CHARGE and $100 savings on your glasses!
- Schedule an eye exam on our website for December 31st, 2011 or earlier
- Enter "Park Slope Lens" in the additional info box
- See better
Thanks to everyone who's read PSL in the past year. I look forward to meeting you in person.
Spencer Ritenour
ritenour.phoptometry at gmail dot com