Yes, my blog has gone very personal lately, but you know what? I like it! And I hope you do too.
Now this doesn’t mean I won’t post travel tips anymore – I actually have very interesting ones coming soon – but I am also a photographer and what I do with my shots is tell stories as much as I can. Well, a couple of days ago I remembered about a series of photos I took in New York City…
Dark New York City skyline
Back in 2009 I spent 6 months in NYC. I moved to the Big Apple with my ex boyfriend. We left Italy together, never been to the US before, and faced this adventure side by side.
Four months after the big move, for many reasons I won’t be talking about on this post, I decided to break up and move out of our studio apartment in the Upper West Side. After days of hectic flat hunting, I ended up living in a student hall in the Lower East Side (yes I signed up for a university course that I never attended).
In those days I was attending my first photography course and had to carry out an assignment every week. Me and my classmates didn’t have a subject to work on. Anything worked as long as we developed a photo story with a topic, and practiced what we learned on our classes.
I always had a lot of problems deciding for a subject, but this time it came out naturally. I decided to document what I was going through, and came up with the following 5 shots. I remember showing these to my classroom the next week, bursting out into tears while explaining my subject, followed by my teacher. She was moved so I guess I did a good job…
1: the couch where he used to sleep on our last days together – no motion
2: me, packing – motion
3: me, moving out – motion
4: my taxi in the Lower East Side – motion
5: the corridor at my new place – no motion
I hope you liked the photos. Don’t worry, I am ok now… this was a long time ago, and if I shared these photos now it means I’m 100% over it.
Did you ever have to break up while abroad? Did you move out and leave your partner just like this? You can leave a comment if you feel so… Oh and in case you’re wondering, no he doesn’t read my blog.
I’m glad you’re 100% over it.
I don’t even want to think about breaking up while abroad…
Yes I am ok, I was the one who decided to move out after all!
Not an experience I would do again…
Giulia recently posted..Breaking up in New York City
Simple and classy. I like how you show the story through the series of photos. Wonderful!
Thanks hun <3
Giulia recently posted..Breaking up in New York City
I couldn’t resist… as soon as i saw the title of the post i knew i had to write a comment.
I broke up with my long term boyfriend immediately after our first trip togheter in NY…
Still have some beautiful yet sad pictures to look at…
Yours are really simple and direct as usual. they reflect the atmosphere of those days….this is why they are so beautiful ; they tell us a story, a real story.
Thanks for sharing!
kle recently posted..Work in progress for my website!
Thanks dear! Hope you liked the photos, and sorry about your breakup after the NY trip…
Giulia recently posted..Breaking up in New York City
Poignant story told through photos. While I am sad for your breakup, I love your assignment. Very well done! Will have to share with my photo club as we are always looking for assignments for our next get together. Love the way you combined the static and movement to tell the story.
Anita Mac recently posted..Monday Morning Series: Happy Smiley Pool in Barbados
Thanks Anita, I appreciate your compliments! And let me know what your photo club thinks of this series. :)
Very happy to read you noticed the static/movement elements I used to tell the story. Thank you!
Giulia recently posted..Breaking up in New York City
You are just fine :)
:)
Giulia recently posted..Breaking up in New York City
I imagine NYC would be a tough city to break up in. As much as I love it, the city does feel a bit brutal sometimes. Glad you are 100% over it!
Kate recently posted..AirNZ Standby Tickets – Review
Yes, it was definitely tough, also because I had to find another place to stay etc (and in NYC with those prices, it wasn’t easy!) but then in the end I made it:) What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, right?
Giulia recently posted..The beautiful South Coast of Iceland on the road