new york is dirty. and it’s mean. and it’s overcrowded. and it’s muggy. and it’s harsh. and it’s overpriced. and it’s overwhelming.

but it’s also calm. and kind. and refreshing. and unexpectedly peaceful. and right when you think you’ve had enough, you find yourself walking up central park west on a cool july evening with the light coming through the trees just right, and the city lets you feel and see these things— its hidden traits. you are brought into this seemingly secret world that you forgot existed and you are so overcome with it all that you forget new york can be anything else.

it only takes a five second encounter with this side of new york for me to come dangerously close to falling under its spell. i grew up here so for some reason i try to pride myself on the fact that the spell doesn’t work on me. but behind the lens of a little point and shoot camera with a full roll of film and a day to myself, i fall happily.