back in the middle of february, i had the opportunity to take pictures of the chinese new year’s parade in chinatown. since i live all of two blocks away from the epicenter of the parade’s festivities, i would have felt foolish not to run down there with my camera. i was out of town last year when this happened, so i am thrilled i was around to document it, on film, this year. it’s the largest chinese new year’s parade in the nation (sorry, new york) and one of the only parades in the nation that still takes place at night. after eight rolls of film, these are my favorite pictures (all shot on film using ‘Eloise,’ my nikon 50mm, my beloved manual camera from the 70’s)(in no particular order) ::
the crowd’s feet
red’s place
the dragon parade
police line do not cross, in the middle of grant avenue
a composition with two sheets of paper and some paint on the road
sparklers for the year of the dragon
sparklers sparkling for the year of the dragon
saw, + an abandoned cigarette bum on jack kerouac alley
the books.
an installation of weatherproof books suspended over the sidewalk on the corner of broadway and columbus
dismantled and flattened chairs. the aftermath of the parade
socks by the millions in chinatown
peking duck. chinatown’s idea of a “window display”
city lights by night during the raging parade
city lights + cop car by night during the raging parade
my sweater, pants, and shoes. taken inside a tiny vietnamese joint (best food ever) whilst testing the light meter on my camera
my shoes. taking a break whilst ducking and diving through and under the parade shenanigans
the day after the parade. lots of people. even a blue dog, Chase Bank’s mascot. it was only *slightly* crowded
the stools you sit in to race things and win over-sized stuffed animals. + a girl eager for the bouncy castle (can you blame her?)
this man. well, i think he’s my hero. he was so happy to stop for photographs. a beautiful soul, just outside Buddha Bar on Grant Avenue
i’m sorry. i don’t think you could pay me enough money to wear an animal suit under these conditions
a man who holds a giant load of helium balloons has my vote
chinatown parade cables
chinese card game, closely followed by a round (or six) of chinese checkers. in a park off kearny
singing his heart out
little old lady, just another bench ornament amidst the chinese new year chaos
walker
kearny street diaries
pigeons doing what pigeons do best
chinatown parade aftermath explosion. i think it was ranch.
now for the following three self portraits ::
mysterious purple indicates the end of a roll of a film
off kearny
the ultimate chinatown self portrait :: surrounded by stuffed goods and bright signage whilst standing on grant avenue
welcome to chinatown, folks.
and by the way, Happy Easter!
[nikon 50mm]
jessi
Year of the Pig Studio 