Home sweet home

Canon Rebel T2i, 50 mm, f/3.5, 1/400, -1/3 EV, ISO 400

Canon Rebel T2i, 50 mm, f/3.5, 1/100, -1/3 EV, ISO 400

 Canon Rebel T2i, 50mm, f/3.5, 1/60, -1 EV, ISO 400

Moutarde at sunset

Canon Rebel T2i, 28mm, f/3.5, 1/400, -2 EV, ISO 1600

iPhone

On New Year's morning I was having a very lazy breakfast at Root Hill Cafe. Between munching on my bagel and reading the Times, I looked up and saw this gorgeous shadow on the side of their kitchen wall. Despite owning a handful of cool cameras and lenses, the only one that I had on me was my phone camera.

Annie Leibovitz recently praised the iPhone as one of today's most important cameras. It's certainly better than what Ansel Adams used. I am a firm believer in the cliche that the best camera is the one that you have on you. Every person has a mental list of potential photos that they missed taking for one reason or another. I would of been kicking myself for weeks if I would of missed this one.

And I am not lying

Many people do not know that New York has a rather vivid storytelling scene. Park Slope in particular plays host to several wonderful shows. For those who aren't familiar with storytelling, imagine a "This American Life" and "A Prairie Home Companion" hybrid minus the restrictions of public radio. People stand behind a microphone an give the audience a truthful intimate look at a slice of their life story. The above photo is of Jeff Simmermon hosting his fab storytelling/variety show called "And I am not lying."

I first met Jeff at an event in the City. Afterwards we got dinner, and he regaled us with stories for hours. I rode the train with him back to Brooklyn and missed all my possible stops because I didn't want to break our conversation. It was so worth the 45 minute walk back to my apartment in South Slope. The next morning I woke up to a several paragraph email from Jeff continuing what we were discussing. These are the type of awesome genuine people that share at storytelling shows.

"And I am not lying" goes down at Union Hall every month. It's a perfect show to get you addicted to storytelling. 

Canon Rebel T2i, 50mm, f/2.8, 1/200, -2 EV, ISO 3200

Green it up

Trees being delivered

Stay focused

When I'm not behind my camera, I stay busy at my day job as an eye doctor. I work in the city at a charming little practice called Pretty Handsome Optometry. To show my appreciation to the PSL fans, we're making a special offer for all our readers:  get an eye exam AT NO CHARGE and $100 savings on your glasses!

• Schedule an eye exam on our website for December 31st, 2011 or earlier
• Enter "Park Slope Lens" in the additional info box
• See better

Thanks to everyone who's read PSL in the past year. I look forward to meeting you in person.

Spencer Ritenour

ritenour.phoptometry at gmail dot com

Bus(ted)

Seriously? 

I spotted a Gray Line bus on 5th Ave and 6th St. Must the tourists photograph our hardware stores and groceries?

iPhone 4s, 35mm, f/2.4, 1/220, ISO 64 

Fall day

On my third photoshoot of the day, this guy came over to play for a bit. It was a nice diversion.

Prospect Park

Canon Rebel T2i, 50mm, f/2.5, 1/3200, ISO 400

Post no bills

4th Ave & 6th St.

Fuji X100, 23mm, f/4.5, 1/1000, -1/3 EV, ISO 400

Hidden in plain sight

I've walked past this incredible door dozens of times, but I've never really noticed it until today. It's located on 6th St approximately half way between my cafe and Anne Hathaway's apartment.

Fuji X100, 23mm, f/2.0, 1/1000, ISO 400