Earlier this month I covered the 2013 ING New York City Marathon for the NY Times. It was nice to cover the official race again as last year it was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. This year I was assigned to cover the 1-mile stretch of the course in The Bronx at about Mile-20 as runners crossed the Willis Avenue Bridge from 1st Avenue in Manhattan and back over the Madison Ave Bridge into Manhattan.

It was clear security was much heavier this year as the course was guarded from blocks away from the actual course. Luckily, I was on a scooter and was able to snake through the snarled NYC traffic. I parked my scooter near the Madison Avenue Bridge and walked across the bridge into The Bronx. As it turned out I’d arrived quite early as I had to wait about an hour for the leaders to pass.

It was fun to chat with and see all the various supporters from local cheerleaders, a Japanese drumming team, bands, firefighters, and local residents cheer on the runners as they passed.

I made my way to the Willis Avenue Bridge and eventually spotted a building that gave me a great vantage point to make an overall shot and transmit my photos to the paper. It was worth the hike to the roof as the photo quickly made it to the NYTimes.com homepage!

I made my way back to my scooter over the first bridge and got back home to the Upper West Side where I transmitted once more before hitting Central Park as evening approached. I entered the park around 90th Street and walked toward the finish line at around 67th Street. As I made my way closer I was swarmed by Marathon finishers attempting to find their belongings and way out of the park.

One of my favorite parts of covering the Marathon is seeing the runners cross the finish line as it’s a very emotional moment for them. Overall, I had a great time covering this year’s race!

Why? Well it’s because this wasn’t just any runway show, it was Project Subway. As in Subway sandwiches as part of a marketing campaign.

The basics were this….Subway had four designers compete in a challenge, like they do in the TV show Project Runway. The designers could only use accessories from a subway restaurant that were provided; napkins, plastic bags, plastic salad bowls, cups, and basic accessories mostly branded with the Subway logo.

I photographed backstage as the models and designers were getting ready for the runway show and was impressed with what they were able to make out of these materials.

After the show guest judges including Scary Spice rated the looks with a score of 1-5 footlong subs. #nom

After a tie, the one and only Jared, subway’s spokesman who lost 245 pounds on a subway diet voted and Danilo Gabrielli was declared the victor.

He won a years worth of Subway sandwiches…and of course the opportunity to have a show at New York Fashion Week.

I keep up in the news, so I was very aware of their collective and the prison sentences some of them are serving for their recent unauthorized provocative guerrilla performance inside a church to protest of the Orthodox Church leader’s support for Putin during his election campaign. After playing only for 40 seconds before security guards stopped them, three ended up being charged with hooliganism and sentenced to prison and two fled Russia to avoid prosecution.

This shoot was different from most for a number of reasons. First, my subjects were anonymous as the group members wear brightly colored balaclavas and use only nicknames during interviews. I was photographing Fara and Shaiba. When asked who was who, one responded, “It doesn’t matter”.

When I arrived, the two small girls were unmasked and very warm to myself and the writer.  They were crashing, at least temporarily, at someone’s home prior to the premiere of their HBO documentary at a nearby theater, which they ended up attended unmasked in secret. What an experience to have to sneak into their own premiere.

I was told by one of their handlers that it was imperative that we not photograph their faces because the Russian government was after them. At the beginning of the shoot, they only wanted me to photograph them while masked inside the elevator of the building. Because that seemed very limited, I asked if we could try quickly taking their portrait, masked, at street level, but they didn’t want to risk causing a scene on the street and getting tracked, especially since their documentary premiere was just a few blocks away. There’s a good chance they’d be recognized and cause a scene.

I ended up scouting the stairwell of the building where, at the top, I found a ladder to the roof of the building. I pitched the idea of climbing up to the roof so we could photograph them outside in the golden light. They liked the idea, so we climbed up and made some really cool images.

I really had a fun time with this shoot. The secretive nature of the shoot was exciting and it felt like I was part of something somewhat historical. Good times!

A rendering of 432 Park Avenue, an 84-story tower. (Credit: dbox for CIM Group & Macklowe Properties)

For this particular assignment I was called the night before, which is unusual for the NY Times to give me so much notice. Typically I’ll get an early AM call to run out and cover a story happening within the hour. As with most other assignments, I was able to do a little extra research about Mr. Macklowe and found he’s quite an impressive person. One of the most striking achievements, in my opinion, was when he purchased the General Motors (GM) Building for a record $1.4 billion, then personally pitched to Steve Jobs the concept of the underground, glass-roofed, Fifth Avenue Apple store underneath the building’s plaza, which did it’s part to double the building’s price. Amazing.

Instagram I took of the GM Building reflected against the Apples Store last year.

Anyhow, not knowing how accommodating Harry would be, I was envisioning a quick portrait of him out in front of the property. When I arrived, I was happy to find Mr Macklowe extremely accommodating and eager to take the time to accomplish an unexpected portrait. We even started talking about photography as I found he’s a lover of photography and a big art collector.

We started the shoot out front where I made the images I’d originally envisioned. Then I started discussing my idea of placing Mr Macklowe onto the 2nd story window frame outside the edifice of the building, which was a 10-story shell at the time. From a distance it looked pretty simple, but as we walked deeper into the construction site, we realized the only way to get him into the position was to find a mechanical lift to hoist him up to the second story level from street level.

While we waited for the site boss to roundup the lift, Harry walked around the site to evaluate progress. One thing I found to be really rewarding was to see was the genuine smiles on both Mr Macklowe’s face and the faces of all the workers as they spotted him. Many came up to me asking if it was indeed the man funding the project. When I confirmed, they all wanted to shake hands with him because they were so happy to be working in this tough economy. Harry was extremely kind and shook hands with all who came up to him for a quick word. It’s nice to see someone is creating jobs and likewise to see those workers showing their appreciation. That’s a good thing.

Not only did I get a great variety of solid portraits from Harry, I was also able to do what I love most: document the lives of my subjects. Mr Macklowe won me over that morning, along with a number of construction workers.

Last night around 7:30 I received a call around asking if I was available to take a last-minute assignment in my neighborhood. I was told that one of the NY Times reporters had happened upon the now-famous barefoot homeless man, Jeffrey Hillman, who was given a new pair of boots by a generous NYPD officer last week. The exchange was caught on film by a tourist and the photo went viral after it was shared on the NYPD’s Facebook Page gaining hundreds of thousands of likes, shares, and comments.

Of course I had seen the photo as it was on the cover of many newspapers, magazines, and television shows worldwide. It painted a picture of generosity and sympathy for the homeless population and was great publicity for the NYPD and Officer DePrimo.

In taking the assignment, I was intrigued to meet him and see how his sudden celebrity had effected him. I was shocked, though, to find him just blocks from my apartment near one of my favorite grocery stores, Fairway Market, still standing barefoot and begging for change on the cold, dirty NYC sidewalk.

When I arrived, the NY Times reporter was already speaking with him as I approached. In the well-to-do Upper West Side neighborhood, Jeffery stuck out like a sore thumb in torn and soiled clothes that were hanging off of him. As I listened to him speak with the reporter and myself, I couldn’t help but feel a knot build up in my throat.

He explained that he’d hidden the boots because he feared they’d get stolen by other homeless if he was seen wearing them. He explained that he’d hidden them in a “safe place” somewhere outside and went on to say that there are many places one could hide objects that could never be found.

What gripped me was his genuine fear of being robbed of his possessions and the fact that he was very able to articulate those feelings to us. He was hesitant to give us his name at first or really dive into his past because he didn’t know what to make of this publicity, so it took some time to let him get familiar with me before I really started taking my photos.

He explained he’s been in NYC for about a decade, was from New Jersey, and previously was a cook in the Army where he served as a food specialist in the US and Germany. He even pulled out his tattered veteran’s card, which was hidden in a black plastic bag under his shirt by his heart, to confirm his story.

While Jeffery was being interviewed, I witnessed dozens of people walking by doing double takes as they realized he was barefoot in the cold. I could hear many of those people saying “oh that’s him!”…and maybe 4-5 people stopped to confirm it was. Some expressed concern for him and others said that he was crazy and refused to wear shoes, even offering stories about how they’d tried to help in the past to no avail, he always continued to walk barefoot and beg, and there was nothing that could be done to help him.

I was iffy about blogging about my experience because I don’t want to make it seem as though I’m exploiting a homeless man. Rather, I wanted to share with my readers the fact that folks like Jeffery need help. My hope is that someone who is in a position, perhaps with US Veterans Affairs, can step in and give Jeffery the help he needs, whether it’s food, a place to stay, or psychiatric evaluation. He is a veteran and deserves that much.

This was an experience I won’t soon forget. It made me really appreciate what I have. I hope my pictures and story do the same for you…and if you know someone that can help, please share!

I was saddened to read about the passing of architect Lebbeus Woods in the New York Times today. Back in 2008 I was assigned to take portrait of Mr Woods for the New York times for the Arts cover.

I arrived and Mr Woods made me feel right at home. I took a handful of natural light portraits using the light streaming in from his skylights and windows as well as a few strobed shots as well. He even took me into his bedroom where I made a somber portrait of him sitting on his bed with the sun illuminating just his face.

I was asked by the paper to try and incorporate him smoking as he is a unapologetic chain smoker…and he obliged, as you can see in many of the photos.

I also took a few photos of Mr Woods working at his desk when he began drawing on a piece of paper. After the shoot he was just going to throw the paper away, but I asked if I could take it and he said “sure!” and even signed the copy over to me.

What a nice experience I had him. My thoughts are with his family.

Looking northwest from the west-facing terrace.

Funny story…last week I had an assignment to photograph the CEO of Estée Lauder from the 47th floor of the General Motors Building. As I do whenever I find myself in an office with a view, I went to the window and took some photos. The view looked northwest and the only building in the foreground was the Sherry-Netherland Hotel. I mentioned to the publicist how amazing it would be to check out the balconies on that building. Well, fast forward 18 hours, I got a call from the real estate editor of the NY Times asking me to take pictures of a co-op that just hit the market at $95 million. Unbelievably, I was assigned to shoot a residence in the very same hotel I’d photographed a day prior from that office window. What are the odds?!

View of the Sherry-Netherland Hotel from the General Motors Building.

I made my way across the park from my apartment on the Upper West Side and down 5th Avenue to the southeast corner of Central Park. The Sherry-Netherland Hotel is located on 59th street directly across from the Fifth Avenue Apple Store, catty-cornered from the infamous Plaza Hotel, and across Fifth Avenue from the southeast corner of Central Park. When I arrived multiple doormen greeted me graciously and showed me to the front desk. I was pointed to the elevators where I had the choice of 3 luxurious lifts with operators smiling at me attentively.

Lift operator in the luxurious elevators.

Elegant elevator lobby in the residence.

Once on the 18th floor, I opened a door to another world. Each of the three elevators open to a set of private entrances within a hallway of gold fixtures. Take a left and you’re headed to the professionally-equipped kitchen and dining room, or take a right and you’re headed toward a room with a wet bar made of solid mahogany.

Professional grade kitchen.

Dining room and solarium in the background.

Mahogany wet bar.

Though luxurious, the interior wasn’t quite my cup of tea. I’m sure every piece of furniture was an antique, beautifully crafted, and expensive, but a bit out-of-date for my taste. What I was truly taken by were the sweeping views from west-facing terrace of Central Park stretching as far north as the eye could see and, with one sweep of the head, you can see straight down Fifth Avenue to the Empire State Building. There are two identical terraces both spanning the south and west lengths of the building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street (Central Park South).

West terrace panorama. Click to enlarge.

South terrace panorama. Click to enlarge.

Looking south down 5th Avenue with Empire State in the distance.

The listing boasts over 7,000 square feet of interior space and over 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. There is a third smaller, but substantial north-facing terrace located off of the master bedroom suite. The master suite also has his-and-hers private baths and walk-in closets.

Master suite terrace facing north.

Master bedroom

Walk-in closet and vanity.

On top of what I mentioned above, there is a solarium, a hallway of closets leading to the west wing of the apartment with a guest suite with two bedrooms, two baths and a small kitchen, various other bedrooms, offices, bathroom, and two maids quarters on a separate floor.

After my tour I was invited to come back in the early-evening if I wanted to take some photos from the terraces at dusk. You see, I have a rule that I always take up an offer when invited to shoot from a $95 million terrace…it’s just common sense.

So I went back to my office to file the photos to the NY Times as they were promptly closing the section. I relaxed a few hours and scooted back down to my new oasis in the sky.

View of the Plaza Hotel looking west on the south-facing terrace.

I spent about 30 minutes snapping away as the day turned into night and the glow of the city was able to burn into my images. Standing on the south-facing terrace you’re able to look straight down on the Fifth Avenue Apple Store which is actually a massive glass skylight for the underground store. It just so happened to be the day before the new iPhone 5 went on sale, so if you look closely, you’ll see a queue of people waiting overnight to be the first owners.

Great view of the Fifth Avenue Apple Store across the street.

Bergdorf Goodman, left, and Plaza Hotel, right.

View looking west down Central Park South at Columbus Circle and the Time Warner Center.

Simply put, the view is what makes this listing so unbelievably amazing, rare, and pricy. Granted, having an entire floor of an old-school luxury hotel isn’t bad…but nothing beats 2,000 square feet of outdoor space and the breathtaking views of this dream home.

I’m just happy I got to live that fantasy world…if ever so briefly.

Every so often I’ll get a call from an editor asking me to shoot an assignment that just makes me laugh. Tuesday was one of those days. Fresh off a plane from a two-week shoot in Hawaii, a metro editor at the NY Times rang me asking me to hop into Central Park (always my favorite assignment location) to photograph a “Bad Elmo”. Since I was off the grid from a full day of travel, I hadn’t heard about the recent news of a hate-spewing Elmo who was yelling at people the day prior. I’m talking about the silly people who dress up like characters and pose with tourists for money. Think Times Square or Hollywood Boulevard in LA.

Since I live right on Central Park West, I often get called for last minute assignments in the park, like this one. Apparently the reporter was doing some investigating and found the Bad Elmo in the same spot he was the day prior, posting with tourists and collecting $1 and $5 bills for his talent. Turns out these guys can make a pretty decent living doing this. He said his suit cost $300 off the internet and he can make around $200/day.

As he continued to speak with the reporter the story turned more and more disturbing and I was shocked to hear him be so candid, explaining that he was just let out of a psychiatric ward at the local hospital where he’d been held since the altercation that put him there a day earlier. He went on to give the reporter his background which involved both running and being an actor in a PORNOGRAPHY website based out of Cambodia he created called “Rape Camp”. That’s right parents, the Elmo that is on his knees embracing your children ran and acted in a website called Rape Camp.

So anyway…I just found it amazing how this creepy dude who was candidly talking about his disturbing past to a reporter was continually interrupted by parents so that he could be paid to hold their innocent little children. Hopefully the NY Times article gives you pause next time you see a random person waltzing down the street cloaked in a furry costume.

Parents Beware!

More Photos of Bad Elmo can be found in my archives.

I’ve shot a lot of concerts in my days as a news photographer….especially in 2010 when I shot 85 Justin Bieber shows (yeah, seriously) when I was touring with the kid making his book. But rarely do I shoot a single concert that makes all my (older) family members envious. Last night I shot Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for the New York Times as part of a VIP concert for Serius Satellite subscribers who were celebrating their 10 year anniversary.

I was tasked with not just shooting the show itself, but also to try and get a sense of who was attending this VIP show being held in one of the smallest venues Springsteen has played. I arrived around 6:30 to the Apollo and there was already lines of folks waiting to get in, as well as many people just loitering around in hopes of snagging a loose ticket.

I don’t come to Harlem all that often, but I think it might be safe to say that there were more white folks in their 60s than this venue sees in a month…not to stereotype a Springsteen fan…

Some of the more famous VIPs that I saw there included Michael J Fox, Tommy Hilfiger, Brian Williams, Coach Tom Coughlin, Harry Belafonte, Ben Stiller, Elvis Costello, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and a host of others who I didn’t personally know.

The set list was long and consisted of early hits and tunes from his newest album. It was my first time seeing The Boss in concert and I must say I was impressed an old white guy could rock a stage like he did.

On top of simply being a fun night at work, I got to see an old pal from the Bieber tour, Adam Courtney, who was my busmate for 6 months while I toured with Justin Bieber, and is now touring with Springsteen. Good seeing you bro.

Fun times!

I was on the phone with my awesome photo editor over at the New York Times Travel desk soon after the earthquake in Chile. A separate client of mine had just reached out and was in need of a photographer in Chile to take a portrait and he’d love if he could hire me, but unfortunately his budget couldn’t cover the costs of physically getting me there (the pricey plane tickets, hotels, etc.), which is understandable considering the distance.

Thinking I might be able to kill two birds with one stone, I called the NY Times to see if they happened to need anything shot in the Chile, which would enable me to get down south. She took a look at her planner and informed me that there was nothing in South America slated for publication anytime in the near future, except for a few assignments in Colombia.

“I’ll take it!” I said, which resulted in laughter from both of us…then a bit of silence… “No, seriously…” I encouraged.

After chatting a while longer, I was able to arrange the timeline and budget to make it work and I was tasked with two separate assignments in Colombia slated to be shot April 5-11.

The first assignment I shot was Bogotá 36 Hours, a weekly Travel column that gives travelers ideas of places to see during a quick visit to random destination cities around the world. I recently shot one of those in Palm Beach, Fla. But, I’ll talk more about that one after the NY Times publishes the article….

After bouncing around Bogotá three days shooting my first assignment, I hopped an hour-long flight to the coastal Caribbean city of Cartagena. Cartagena’s Old City is completely surrounded with a mammoth cannon-studded fortress wall and a massive castle that once protected the Spanish port city from English pirate attacks in the mid-1600s.

My job was to illustrate a story about famed author Gabriel García Márquez who wrote many fictional novels, one of which won him a Nobel Prize. Nearly all of his novels took place in a cities heavily inspired by Cartagena, a city in which Márquez still lives. Cartagena is a truly beautiful city, has stunning architecture, vibrant colors, amazing people, and stellar flavors…a place certainly pleasing to all of the senses.

I must admit my favorite stop, though ever-so-short was to the Basurto Market that was mentioned in the article…it was a complete contrast to the tourist vibe in the old city and was a winding path of stalls that sold produce, meats, fish, grain, food, booze, and more.

I was fortunate to have a wonderful fixer, Dayro Reyes, who helped me along the way arranging transportation and my entire schedule so I’d be able to get to all the places mentioned in both articles. I tip my hat to you, Dayro. Thank you.

I had a total of 35 hours on the ground in Cartagena before I had to catch a red-eye flight back to Bogotá and sleep overnight in the airport to catch my early AM flight back to NYC.

What a great trip. I hope you enjoy my pictures!

Check out the NY Times story ‘Love and Cartagena‘ as written by  Anand Giridharadas.

You can see more photos of Cartagena in my archives. Below is a slideshow with a much broader take!

Cartagena, Colombia – Images by Robert Caplin