I have sort of got used to the cold now. You can’t escape wearing layers as you need to keep warm.

I now have a sudden new found inspiration to go take photos. It’s the little angst associated with having the equipment but nothing to show for that has been pushing me to take more photos. I’d usually shy away from taking photos under such weather conditions (close to freezing) and I usually find night photography boring, as you have no light, there is nothing to see. However, tonight on my way home, I noticed a brightly lit Christmas tree at Washington Square Park and made a detour from my usual path just to catch a glimpse.

I was rewarded with a giant Christmas tree just sitting under the Washington Square Arch.

Heh, the cold as usual, was impairing my brain functions, but I managed to fumble less with my camera today and figured out why the settings did not work from my previous shoot. One thing I had learnt from my photography course and from reading these last month was that I should find ways to make my subject look glamourous, instead of just trying to capture its shape and form. A month ago, I would not have thought of taking the following photos the way they you see them now.

I threw out the arch as it was too big and didn’t add to the picture. Not my best shot but it gives you an idea of what the tree looks like.

And this is what the tree felt like in my eyes at the time.

I like the shot below, and I’m sort of happy with it that I decided to override the camera’s focus to just show the bright lights. This is where the D300′s viewfinder is stellar, as even in the darkness of the evening, I could still see the shapes of things and sort of know where my lens is focusing.

Then there is the creative aspect of it, something which I have always wanted to try. This was the only good attempt at it, where you slow the shutter speed and zoom the lens barrel as you trip the shutter so you get a sense of motion.

Heh, didn’t stay around too long. I really need a pair of gloves and will probably get a pair tomorrow as handling my camera under these conditions make it difficult for me to do it for long. My next photo opportunity will be 5th Avenue on the upper east side closer to Central Park. More to come soon.