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Moving to Chelsea- Updated Photo Blog

You may recall that earlier this year I shared some photos from the apartment that a friend of mine was looking at in Chelsea. He ended up passing on it in favor of another building a few blocks away. The location is great for him but a photographer’s dream for me. With views of the Freedom Tower and Empire State Building, I was able to capture some great, sweeping cityscapes. I am always remind that art is truly where you find it* and it can be anywhere, even the rooftop of your brand new apartment building.

*More on this in an upcoming article! [Read more…] about Moving to Chelsea- Updated Photo Blog

Brooklyn Bridge Park- A Photo Blog

by Mark Giarrusso

Last time I took you for a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, from Manhattan to Brooklyn. After exiting the walkway on the bridge you come to Brooklyn Bridge Park. One of the most unique public spaces in all of NYC. It pairs the unique, old school Brooklyn charm with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. In that way exact way it captures both the soul and body of New York City at large. I always try to present my work thusly. The gorgeous physical architecture being the body and the people who inhabit those structures being the soul. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a fantastic way to see both. [Read more…] about Brooklyn Bridge Park- A Photo Blog

A Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge- Photo Journal

by Mark Giarrusso

If you are a New Yorker, you are obligated to walk The Brooklyn Bridge. Yes, it could be touristy just for the fact alone that the pedestrian walkway is ALWAYS mobbed with people from all over the world, every nice day from April until October. It’s like going to the top of the Empire State Building or now the Freedom Tower. If the Queensboro Bridge has the market on quirkiness then the Brooklyn Bridge could be considered a wizened old man who has seen New York grow to be the capital of the world. It IS touristy on the surface but dig a little deeper and it’s pure New York.

From My Archives- A Beatiful, Snowy Photoshoot

by Mark Giarrusso

On occasion, I will go through some of my catalog of work and look back on certain periods of my work. Since we are in the last depressing months of this New York City winter I decide to pull out some photos I took a few years ago during a frigid, snowy photo walk. I remember this walk well since about half way through the telescopic focus on my lens broke.

I was trying to capture how New York life still goes on despite a horrible storm. Until my lens broke… I still was able to capture some photos but all in all, you might consider this an outtake collection.

Nostalgia in Brooklyn- DUMBO Photography

by Mark Giarrusso

Any native New Yorker will tell you that there is a certain nostalgia that permeates through Brooklyn. Yes, we may reluctantly admit that hipsters have brought a certain “cool” back to BK however, for a lot of us that were raised in NY the essence of Brooklyn goes beyond a bad mustache, know it all attitude and skinny jeans. It’s where out fathers and grandmothers grew up and where our great-grandparents settled after coming through Ellis Island. Next time you take a walk through an area like DUMBO try to imagine it through the hardworking New Yorkers from all over the world that came to Brooklyn and are the original producers of BK slickness.

New York City: In Black and White

by Mark Giarrusso

Whenever I am asked to put my photography into a certain category, I always respond the same way: “My photos are always exactly how I see the world.” I see New York City mostly in black and white. The monochrome is not meant to portray dreariness or melancholy. It’s a homage to a time past, which was simpler and, in my opinion, more honest.

A Cold Day on Nostrand Avenue – A Closer Look At Brooklyn

by Mark Giarrusso

On a cold Wednesday last week, I ventured out to Brooklyn. Admittedly, I have not spent a lot of time there but you can see the appeal as soon as you ascend the subway station stairs. You step out into the charm and angst which make Brooklyn known the world over, even outside of it’s attachment to New York City.
I was fortunate enough to be able to have access to a rooftop looking out towards Manhattan You can see the tip of the Empire State Building and some of the glitzier high rise apartments but it might as well been a world away. These photos, some are heavily edited for a vintage effect, only begin to scratch the surface. I hope to spend more time in the upcoming year exploring and documenting the unique (dare I say quirky?) beauty of Brooklyn.

Manhattan Digest’s 2nd Fundraiser Another Big Success!

by Ryan Shea

Manhattan Digest held its 2nd fundraiser this past Friday night at Gym Sportsbar down in Chelsea. With the fear of Hurricane Joaquin (Phoenix) settling into New York that night, I was worried that a lot of people wouldn’t show up due to how bad the weather was going to be. Regardless, a ton of friends, family and friendly customers stopped by to donate, have some delicious cupcakes and submit their tickets in hopes to win some fantastic prizes.

Overall we raised hundreds of dollars for cancer research with even more donations coming in over the next day or so. That makes me extremely happy to know that doing something as simply as a fundraiser can hopefully save at least one life with the money that we raised.

I would love to thank everyone that showed up, as well as Serge Sterbois, Jerry Reilly and the Gym Sportsbar staff for their amazing job before, during and after the fundraiser. I would also love to give a shoutout to Tim de Iturriaga at Adonis Lounge for finding a host for the event (the handsome and wonderful Jason) who went out of his way to talk to every person who came down into the basement area about the charity. Finally, thank you to Huascar Aquino from H Bake Shop who generously donated a ton of cupcakes for everyone to devour and enjoy. Got so many amazing reviews from the cupcakes so let’s hope it drives in some new customers for him!

Finally, a big thanks to all the companies that donated generously for this event. This includes Krave & Kulture, Crunch Gym, Haru Sushi, Jacob’s Pickles, Best Barber in Hell’s Kitchen, The New York Beer Company, The Jolly Monk, Hotel Belleclaire, Otto’s Tacos, H Bake Shop, BKB Restaurant, Cantina Rooftop, Morton’s Grille and Bear Skn. My gratitude is endless and I really appreciate what each of you did, so thank you again!

Will hopefully have another one in early 2016. In the meantime, thanks to everyone again who participated and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser October 2nd at Gym Sportsbar

by Ryan Shea

After having an absolutely amazing first fundraiser back in March, we at Manhattan Digest have decided to do a second one in hopes that this will be even more successful than the first. Manhattan Digest is throwing its 2nd annual fundraiser this coming Friday on October 2nd, taking place at my favorite gay bar in the world Gym Sportsbar from 7-9 PM. Similar to last time, it will be held in the basement area of the bar, where you can come and donate money to support breast cancer research in my late mother Lisa’s memory and bid on some incredible prizes that you yourself can actually win!

We are echoing the same format we did back in March, in the form of a silent auction (raffle style) where you can take your raffle tickets and put them in the containers of the prizes that you want to win. $5 gets you 2 tickets, $10 gets you 5 tickets and $20 gets you 10 tickets. You are more than willing to donate more if you would like. A very handsome gentleman from The Adonis Lounge will be at the door to give you your tickets so there is a bonus incentive there as well!

So what are the fabulous and amazing prizes that you are able to potentially win? Take a look at what we have in store!

Hotel Belleclaire, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Hotel Belleclaire

One free night at The Hotel Belleclaire

Amazon, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Yahoo Finance

$100 Amazon Gift Card

Manhattan, Manhattan Digest, Jacob's Pickles — Credit to: Jacob’s Pickles

$250 Gift Card to Jacob’s Pickles

Dinner for two at BKB Restaurant ($100 Value)

Cantina Rooftop, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Cantina Rooftop

Dinner for two at Cantina Rooftop ($100 Value)

Haircut and Shave from Best Barber in Hell’s Kitchen ($80 Value)

Krave & Kulture, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Krave & Kulture

Gift card from Krave & Kulture

Manhattan Digest, H Bake Shop, Huascar Aquino — Credit to: Rebecca Woodman Taylor Photography

Custom Cake for up to 5 people from H Bake Shop ($150 Value)

Otto's Tacos, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Otto’s Tacos

$25 gift card from Otto’s Tacos

The Jolly Monk, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Jolly Monk

$50 gift card to The Jolly Monk

Haru Sushi, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Haru Sushi

$50 gift card to Haru Sushi

New York Beer Company, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: New York Beer Company

$50 gift card to New York Beer Company

Morton's Grille, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Landry’s Inc

$50 gift card to Morton’s Grille

Crunch Fitness, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Crunch Fitness

3 Month membership to Crunch Gym ($240 Value)

If you are unable to attend, there are other ways of donating where you can still win one of the amazing prizes. Simply send an email to [email protected] with how you want to donate. We accept Venmo, Paypal and other types of payments. Please also include how you want to allocate the tickets. Other than, that I look forward to seeing everyone at Gym Sportsbar this coming Friday night!

Manhattan Solstice- Capturing Manhattanhenge

by Mark Giarrusso

The Manhattan Solstice, or Manhattanhenge, occurs when the sunsets directly on the streets of the New York traffic grid. It happens twice a year, in late May and mid July.
Today’s Manhattan solstice was no exception. The sun playing along the NYC streets tantalized photographers who congregated at each intersection to capture the sun as it melted into the horizon in perfect view.

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