Hello it is me again, playing the role of Amateur Learning Aperture, taking my camera outside to do New York City touristy things while learning how to use my camera.  Only this time I am taking a step backwards as I bought THIS new mirrorless camera that has so many features I don’t know how to use yet.

I want to say again and forever that taking photography classes has greatly improved my mental health.  I am currently taking one on composition and I genuinely like the people in my class.  I will be sad to say goodbye to them next week and hope they pop up in future classes.  I also love when we show our homework.  This particular set of people really go out to find the most iconic things to photograph in New York City.  I keep adding to my list of places to photograph, inspired by them.

Since I last posted, I first took a trip to watch sunset at Verrazzano Narrows Bridge and then took a separate trip to watch sunset at Sunset Park.  For both of these outings, I was using THIS lens that I rented.   It was amazing with low light.  But I couldn’t zoom out as much as I would have liked at Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, nor could I zoom in as much as I would like at Sunset Park.  This would have been obvious to any seasoned photographer.  But I am still an amateur and I am learning by making mistakes.

Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, my last photoshoot with my DSLR:

Me: That photo would have been so much better if you used a tripod.

Me: I know!  That’s why I brought one to my next outing!

Sunset Park: First photoshoot with my new mirrorless camera:
The actual sun had not been out in days so the sunset was not as gorgeous as it could have been.  The rented lens was great for taking photos in low light, but I wasn’t able to zoom in as much as I would have liked.

Bonus –  As mentioned, this was my first time taking a tripod out in public.  I didn’t feel as much like an obnoxious asshole as I feared I would.

Last weekend I went to the most obvious place to take photos for my composition class – Oculus.

From here I ate brunch at George’s New York.   This is a very highly rated place and looking at my own food (I don’t have any photos) as well as other people’s, I can see why.  I did try being artsy here.  It would have been better if the coffee can were larger.

Next up, I went to Domino Effect at Fosun Plaza.  You can actually set these up and knock them down.  At night, they light up.  I didn’t stick around to see it because I was frozen solid.  But you can see HERE.

Random stuff around Oculus:

I still had some more homework to do so I went to the Field of Lights.  This is a free exhibit in Manhattan, although you do need a ticket and most days are sold out.  You can get your free tickets HERE.

Mine were for one of the coldest days of the year.  I almost didn’t go, but in the end was glad I did.  It had snowed the day before and the melted snow left reflective pools.

Add these photos to “photos that would be better if not taken by me” list.  I have another ticket for mid April so I can see how much my skills improve by then.

And while I was out, I caught the Empire State Building in pink for Valentine’s Day.

Me: Wouldn’t your blog be more interesting if you would post about each place in a separate blog post and write more about the places you visited?

Me: But that would require being a better blogger.

Me: Point taken.

I still have a million more things to do and see.  I have so much stuff booked.  Look at me leaving my apartment YAY.

I have been taking advantage of having “free” cruise offers from Carnival.  They are advertised as free but it is $100 if 2 people book, and $200 if one person books, plus port fees.  The $100 and $200 amounts are credited back as onboard credit so maybe kind of not false advertising.

As I have these clogging up my vacation time for the next 2 years, I am giving myself grace with the ridiculous amount of money I am spending playing tourist in the city I live in.