Daily photographs by HANS VON RITTERN, with humorous, artistic and social commentary on life in the big city.

Latest

Photo of the day: BARBEQUE!

BARBEQUE!: Some of the hardest workers, in some of the poorest and worst conditions of the auto parts district of Willets Point, Queens, New York, enjoy a well deserved Labor Day weekend barbeque! A steak isn’t something they can usually afford, so there is just one steak on the grill amongst the hot dogs, they’ll share the steak.
Notice the “Willets Point Playground” sign on the upper right – Willets Point currently has no sidewalks or sewers. In times of heavy rain, flooding is common. The area is very industrial and is filled with auto repair shops, scrap yards, waste processing sites. (More photos and stories to follow by Hans Von Rittern).

Posted by  |  September 3, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the gallery: LEFT OUT TO DRY

LEFT OUT TO DRY: It’s the unofficial end to summer. Washington Square Park is brimming with activity, especially in the coveted sprays of the central fountain.  NYU University looms around the circumference of the (9.75 acre) park as the students and local residents enjoy those last romps in the fountain, perfecting their summer’s tan and just lazing in the sun while those soggy sneakers are left out to dry.

Posted by  |  September 2, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo of the day: LABOR PAINS

LABORER: “$200.”
                       “How about $150?”
                       “$200.”
                       “Aw common, can’t you do it for less?”
                       “$200.”
In honor of ALL laborers out there, lol!
There are millions of different types of laborers in this country. Some wear hard hats, some wear suits, some wear very, very short skirts.

Posted by  |  September 2, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the gallery: SHADES OF GLORY

SHADES OF GLORY: While taking a stroll on a beautiful wooded path in upstate South Salem, New York, I came across remnants of Labor Days past.

Posted by  |  September 1, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Photo of the day: MRS. FONG TAKES A BREAK

MRS. FONG TAKES A BREAK: Taking a coffee stain out of Mr. Harris’ shirt – no problem.
Washing the upstairs neighbor’s shirt – no problem.
Hemming the skirt for Miss Lacosta – no problem.
Dry cleaning and ironing that damned sequined tuxedo jacket – that was a bitch . . . so Mrs. Fong takes a break,
Jeanne 1 Hour Dry Cleaners, 925 Eighth Avenue.
Launder a man’s shirt – $2.00
Dry clean a man’s pant – $6.50
Dry clean a woman’s blouse – $5.25
Wash & Fold – $1.00 per pound

Posted by  |  September 1, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the gallery: LABOR DAY

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!: Dedicated to the hard work that made and still makes this country great.
Every once in a while you will find this incredible sculpture towering on top of a pick-up truck in Times Square. It replicates the famous photograph of the iron workers taking  a lunch break atop the Chrysler Building in 1930. The sculpture is made by a Broadway theatre set designer who will also sell miniature versions of this to the tourists. Thanks to fellow blogger Candy Lopez Galas, I have found the artist’s web site. He is Sergio Furnari. The photo here seemed appropriate for this Labor Day weekend.

Posted by  |  August 31, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photo of the day: SOMETIMES YOU JUST FEEL LIKE SLEEPING IN

SOMETIMES YOU JUST FEEL LIKE SLEEPING IN: “God the moon is so bright! Oh, uh, huh? Noon?!?!”

I am used to seeing the homeless sleep on the street at night or in doorways, but you don’t see it so often in the bright sun of high noon. Must’ve been one helluva night.

Posted by  |  August 31, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In honor of Clint Eastwood

Posted by  |  August 31, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

From the gallery: TONIGHT . . .

TONIGHT: . . .!!?

Posted by  |  August 30, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Photo of the day: THE LONG GOODBYE

THE LONG GOODBYE: It’s 1:12 am, he doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t want to go. The afterglow of the day is too great. His train leaves at 1:16 am. They have four more minutes to nuzzle and hold onto each other, not realizing they are experiencing the rare moment of being completely alone in Grand Central Station.

Posted by  |  August 30, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments