New York Big/Special June Meet-Up

C

Calzone

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Last night went to the Leica Gallery for an opening. In conversation with John and Tung I mention how being mistaken for a Japanese tourist in NYC can be a real advantage for street shooting. I was thinking about this because I was wearing my brand new Maui Jim sunglasses and somewhat resembled a surfer because of the other clothes I was wearing.

For those that do not know me so well, I once was a very serious performance artist, and a lot of my material involves my confused identity. To compound things May is Asian Pacific American Month so I'm strongly reminded of those crazy days. Then I remembered of how in the summer I often get dressed up in Tommy Bahama shirts walking the Upper East Side looking like a surfer dude going to work. Helen Hill laughed very hard when I told her that I'm just a white boy trapped in an Asian body when I first met her.

Anyways I get this grand idea of making the June Meet-Up at the 30th annual Mermaid Parade on Saturday June 23rd. Now here's the twist: for $15.00 we can become part of the parade as "Adult Artsy Marchers." My idea is to dress like tourists with cameras. Also this requires getting there early where most of the best shooting happens before the place gets totally mobbed. Also as participants we get into the staging areas.

This event is kinda perfect to get really obnoxious with your camera, and its a very camera friendly event. Arri at the last meet-up was terrorizing a Cocker Spainial with his Wee-Gee impression with a flash on Houston Street. At this Meet-Up I won't have to worry about him getting beat up. LOL.

Anyways I'm doing the parade this year dressed as a Japanese Tourist wearing a pair of Rolleiflexes like a set of double-dee's.

Please book them John-O.

Cal
 
I went there with Cal last year without knowing what to expect. Before I got there, I was thinking that it's just another parade in NY. As Cal suggest, getting there early is key. There are whole bunch of characters that we can get up close and personal before the parade. They are very professional and will stop and post for you.

Cal, are we also going to sit down and have a drink after the parade. Regardless, I am blocking of my calendar for the event now.
 
robklurfield said:
This is tempting.

Rolleiflex knockers? Hm?

Knee socks and Bermuda shorts? I could do that.
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Bob,

Dan took a shot of me at a past meet-up where I was cupping my Rollei's and showing them off like I just got a fresh boob job.

Speaking of exposed breasts, for those that don't know of this event its kinda like a NYC version of Mardy Gras. Artists by definition are exhibitionists and there are many grand displays. Surprisingly there is a lot of semi clad women and nudity.

Anyways I might do something crazy like shoot color. Over the past 4 years perhaps I shot 5 rolls of Kodachrome because someone gave it to me, and maybe three rolls of color negative film.

Perhaps there's still time to get my Tele Rolleiflex Fleenored by the event. Also time to get ripped and loose those five extra pounds.

BTW driving there is a very-very serious mistake.

Cal
 
I just bought a 21mm lens, and was thinking that the mermaid parade would be perfect for it. Or a fisheye.

I don't know what to dress up as. Should we all dress in a sort of uniform?
 
I won't be dressing up (I generally don't veer away from my t-shirt uniform on a weekend day)... but I'll go and photograph this year.
 
My girlfriend hates the way I use the word "Tourist" in a derogatory manner. I can't count the times I've almost got poked in the eye by pointing tourists, or how many times I run into people that suddenly stop or change direction that are clueless that eight million people want to get around them.

Trying to be polite I always say,"Excuse me tourist I'm trying to walk around you," and then as usual my girlfriend states how NYC's economy would would be AFU if it weren't for all these annoying tourists that I wish would go home.

I suggest getting dressed up like a tourist. Tung stated last night that if you're an Asian in NYC and you have a camera in your hand its almost automatic that you are mistakenly identified as a tourist. Subconciously I realize that I have exploited this by my bad boundries with getting in someone's face up close and personal with a 28, and somehow I'm automatically mistaken for just another annoying tourist. It was only last night that I fully understood this dynamic by my conversation with John and Tung.

John just needs to wear some kitchy I love New York t-shirt that real New Yorkers never wear. LOL. Wear tropical clothes like you are in some exotic local instead of Coney Island. For fellow Asians I have a collection of Tommy Bahama tropical shirts, and vintage Hawian shirts. It would be nice if we hung around together dressed a like like some tour group especially if we exploit our Asian factor. Offer is only to people with extreamely narrow shoulders like John Chee or Tung.

You can dress up like a surfer-dude with a little white grease on your nose.

Be outragous and creative... Over the top is good...

Cal
 
jsrockit said:
Well, I'm not a real NY-er either, so I can get away with it.
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Some of the dumbest things we all have seen is how tourists target themselves when you see a whole family all wearing "I Love New York" tee-shirts by the Port Authority. Then they wonder why they got mugged...BTW I've seen these sold three for ten dollars along Eighth Avenue.

Then there are all those people dragging their luggage all around Madhattan on wheelies...

And the biggest give-away that your a tourist: carrying a subway map.

Cal
 
I'm from Philly and everywhere else, so I'm not a NYer. I 'll do it!
I'll bring my restored Speed Graphic with a few Grafmatics and some flashbulbs too. Of course I'll bring Leicas.

Now to figure out which shirt to wear...
The Cuban cigar shirt or a brighter one with a more annoying pattern?

I also have a Polaroid land camera that someone can borrow (have) for the event (forever.)

Phil Forrest
 
Phil_F_NM said:
Now to figure out which shirt to wear...
The Cuban cigar shirt or a brighter one with a more annoying pattern?

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

My vote is for the annoying pattern: the louder the better. Remember this is an art parade.

Also be aware of the pole dancing float that is towed by an oversized tricycle:my favorite. Tends to be near the end of the parade. Please take care that you don't almost get your camera kicked out of your hands by a pole dancer. Almost happened to me. LOL.

Phil I'm glad you are going to make this meet-up. That's why I'm posting it early.

Cal
 
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