Pete's Cafe by brewgirlca
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Description
Getting candid shots like this is the reason I still carry my little Nikon Coolpix9100 everywhere I go. For me it's still my best chance to capture those grab the moment shots where the SLR will take too much fussing or the pure act of picking it up and aiming it will distract the subject.
Here I am at Pete's Café in the Bronx watching the waitress and the owner taking time out for some girl talk. You can just tell these two women are more friends than coworkers.
Pete's has been around for some 30 years and is the only classic sit down style American Diner in the area. It has a worn, well-used feel to it. You can tell it's been a popular place just by looking at how things have been rubbed down with the passing of time. Everything is clean, but the wear and tear is starting to show, most obvious the missing counter seat and the plaster patch work!
The service was wonderful; the tossed green salad surprisingly fresh and crisp, and the hot turkey sandwich was enormous. There musta been ½ pound of thin slice roast gobbler floating on a gravy smothered open face sandwich. I almost cried when it was served because I hate wasting food and there was enough there to serve two. And I had no fridge. I guess they are used to feeding students from Fordham University! I was there a long time trying to get through it.
While I was working on my sandwich I watched these two working their diner, biding my time, waiting for them both to get into my camera’s view at one time. And for them not to be watching me out of the corner of their eyes. This shot was one of the small rewards.
This will be my last post for about a month. It's my annual leave and tomorrow night I am flying out of the country and carrying only my cameras and my ipod.
Comments (32)
SidheRoseGraphics
Nice candid shot Roxy! These are the best ones, aren't they? Well hope you have fun on your vacation. Enjoy yourself!
drifterlee
What a wonderful place!
DCL
Now that is a cool image! Nice and clear and beautiful contrast - LOTS of personality. And makes me feel like I'm right there listening in on the conversation. :)
barryjeffer
super capture Roxy... you caught the ambiance of this place perfectly! gonna miss you!
0rest4wicked
My kind of trip!, safe travels.
Faemike55
Wonderful candid capture - great photo-journalism with this - the B&W reminds me of the photos from Life (I hold those is awe - so you know where yours are at - yep! right up there and I am in awe of your skill)
Sea_Dog
Great shot and narrative. Almost a throw-back atmosphere, and the connection between the two women is great.
magnus073
Fantastic capture of this really cool Café Roxy, I would feel right at home here instantly
auntietk
Terrific capture, and worth the wait.
Sepiasiren
Whoa--LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
RodS
A classic, warm, and VERY well exposed shot, Roxy! I really like this - and the monochrome is perfect for this. Wonderful, my friend! Hope you have a safe, relaxing journey wherever you're headed. I'm very much looking forward to seeing your photos when you get back!
blinkings
As a guy, it's a lot harder to take sneaky shots like this without getting arrested!
Chipka
What a classic shot, and I love candid shots like this; you've gone one step farther and done it in Black and White to top it off! Yeah! This rocks. I have a couple of favorite coffehouse hangouts here in Chicago, but the vibe is different, less well-worn, not quite as old-style comfortable. One of the places The Perfect Cup seems a bit Ikea-Standard, and the other Emerald City has managed to hold onto it's gritty feeling; at one time it might have been one of those "under the wrong side of the tracks" sort of places, as it's located directly beneath the elevated Red/Brown/Purple line tracks. It's actually built within the track infrastructure, which makes it a pretty small place with a long, and spooky unisex bathroom. It's all fancied up, however; nothing worn (except for the bathroom) and the crowd there is a bit on the trendy side. Oh well...at least you got the authentic Brox vibe here and I love your treatment of this subject. You've inspired me to go out with my own little cheap point-and-shoot Canon! Safe travels to you, and I look forward to any shots you bring back. If you see an odd (and dangerously cute Czech guy with an interest in ducks, nab his shot, but you'd probably have to be in the Czech Republic [in Brno] for that, but wherever you're off to...be safe and have fun and take lots of pictures!)
odile
This is a fantastic shot. I like all the "scars" in this shot like the cracks on the walls, the shabby looking seats... Superb!
renecyberdoc
i just imagined a drunken psycho running apes..t in the place,ripping the seat out with the bracket and the bolts lol.
NetWorthy
Awesome slice of classic Americana Roxy. You have a great eye for settings, textures and circumstances. I like the comfortable body language they have with each other. The untold years of items collected on the shelves and walls tells how long they have been a fixture of the neighborhood. Really nice capture.
mikeerson
looks like a cozy cafe... but, I don't think I'd want to sit in those chairs seeing that one definately bit the dust - lol... great shot, I wonder if either of them knows you shot them - they just didn't feel it - lol
vitachick
Great capture of an old diner which is disappearing..Making room for McDonalds etc..
fallen21
Amazing shot.
nitegrafix
Excellent work!
Cgaynor
The black and white effect helps to make it a "period piece", well done.
MineFujiko
Nice atmosphere! Roxy-sensei
Tracesl
cool
vyktohria
EXCELLENT capture!
vintorix
Great shot! As you have the camera I hope you are going to a beautiful place! ;)
whaleman
Nice atmosphere!
3dpoetry
Sensational work
FaeMoon
What a wonderful, classic candid shot. Your patience so paid off here and the angle of the shot, just perfect. I hope you have a wonderful trip! I'm very excited at the prospect of more pictures from you as they are always extraordinary treats. :)
Rhanagaz
Great capture from daily life!! Have a nice trip, Roxy!!! :o)
midnightmum
Wonderful black & white. great composition.