It occurred to me today that this is my last month in my goal of showing the subway's 12-month cycle. I started the project on 12/1/2004. It's funny how we put goals and deadlines on everything we do. It would be entirely weird to think about getting on the train and not photographing every day. It sort of feels like an addiction. So am to become the guy that only ever photographs underground. Worse things could happen. On the other hand what do you have above ground that I don't have? Sunsets? I got em. Sports? Got em, every seen subway surfing? Romance? In spades. Heck I've even got some nature. So I don't know what's to happen next. I really want to rebuild the site to have more flexibility and try some new ideas. Anyone know how to configure Movable Type?
I had a grand idea of putting up a show in one of my regular subway stations but life has gotten in the way and that will not happen, yet. Save up your frequent flyer miles though I plan on making a go of it one day soon. We might all end up in the slammer but wouldn't that be fun?
So flip back through the archives and remember this is all about the seasons of the subway. If you got some favs send em my way.
So glad you want to continue snapping away underground.
I have just gone through the archives, from the beginning spotted some I had missed the first time around. They are wonderful. I love noticing the changing seasons. From wearing many layers to standing on the platform with no top on.
Here are a few of my favs:
20th Dec 04
24th Dec 04
2nd Feb 04
25th Feb 04
2nd Mar 04
30th Mar 04
1st Jun 04
1st Jul 04
21st Jul 04
29th Jul 04
1st Aug 04
Here's a suggestion: don't stop after a year. Keep taking & posting photos indefinitely--better yet, for as long as you live in NYC. A site that documented decades of daily commutes would be majorly sirloin, as the hipsters say.
I love your site. It is one of my work pick-me-ups. Someday, some historian is going to be thrilled to find your daily work. You chronical everyday life so well. Right now, I just enjoy your images. Thank you so much.
pcc
For Travis -
My journey on Express Train began sometime last April. I played catch by viewing the previous posts in the archives.
The motivation behind lending our talents and efforts to a photoblog can change over time. What begins as a lark or an interesting creative exercise can morph into something more profound and influential.
You mention the word addiction. I cannot speak for you, but perhaps it's not so much compulsion as it is commitment to a project that can have far reaching effects. Or perhaps it becomes a daily habit or meditation, such as my grandfathers ritual of recording the seemingly boring details of daily life in a journal. It provides a permanent window into the lives of common men - a frozen moment in space and time.
Travis, you've said several times that I'm the poster child for blogging and hopefully that is true. I recognize that the phenomenon levels the playing field in a way that has never happened before. It gives everyone a voice and in the process some truly talented people rise to the surface like cream in a milk pail. As you can see, I am old school though, and have many more thoughts that normally fit into a blog "sound bite".
There may come a time when you decide you've nothing else to "say" or that you've contributed all you can and the project has reached it's natural conclusion, or perhaps it will morph into something else.
Until that time we will witness life in the New York Subways together - the jews and latinos, the well-groomed thoroughbreds heading off to a boardroom, the blind, the infirm, the homeless and the well-heeled.
As an old television show would proclaim each week - -
"There are a million stories in the Naked City".
Regards, Suzanne
Travis,
Please don't posting stop your daily photos. I have enjoyed them over the past 6 months since I came here on a link from the London Underground Blog. I have never been to New York, but your photos capture so much detail and contrasts that I feel like I ride the NY Subway everyday.
Thanks,
Alan , Melbourne , Australia
Thank you all for the encouragement and the wonderful dialogue. I've said it before and i'll say it again, I think the dialogue on this site is in a league of it's own. Since I'm not a techno geek I appreciate it that no one asks me tecky questions. Last night I was so reprimanded for only shooting jpegs that today I started shooting raw. I think I'm going to feel pretty dumb after I realize how many images I've not processed properly.
Thanks for the edit Phil!!