I’m a glutton for punishment! That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy doing some of the same things over and over and over again—expecting a different result. And you know what?! I get different results! Such as my yearly treks to New York City’s Annual Easter Parade & Easter Bonnet Festival on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.
Looking through my photo archives show the first time I photographed there was 1988. Not quite sure how I wound up there that particular Sunday. My best guess is that I came upon it while walking one of my typical urban photography safaris.
I’ve been anxious to share this huge series with a wider audience for decades, but didn’t have a platform to present them uniformly.
What an amazing crowd in 1988! I was hyped to be there. It’s never been a typical organized parade where specific groups of people march in unison in parade step. It’s a hodgepodge of hundreds wearing hats walking up and down Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets “showing off” their best (many with their most over-the-top) millinery—even custom made for the event.
In any given year, you’ll see some of the most amazing designs in head wear. How you approach the art of wearing something as couture as this piece is entirely up to the wearer.
Throughout this newsletter, images will switch between black & white and color. Not because I couldn’t make up my mind. But, due the changing photographic processes I’ve used since beginning these Easter Parade adventures.
A Google Search, (← weblink) will show you hundreds of thousands of images from the parade. My approach to photographing it has always been different. I hope you’ll notice that in these photographs.
Whatever you think about the Easter Parade, note that Fifth Avenue on this day is where spectator’s undivided attention is eagerly sought/garnered. The same reason you’ll find most street performers busking in Times Square—in or near any heavily travelled place in a city. It’s a game of maximizing returns on investment of time spent.
I appreciate this look paying homage to the early 19th Century. There actually is a “vintage society” organization (←weblink). Men wearing straw & Derby hats. Overall I really enjoy this photograph. My favorite thing about it is the shadow on her face created by the hat.
When I walked up on this scene, I was very excited in photographing. Similar to the “19th Century” photograph above, the shadow patterns intrigued me like nothing else. The way they fell on the model’s faces creating line shadows, beehive type shadows and abstract shadows. To date, it’s one of my favorite photographs from the whole series. I know many of you will enjoy the hats more than any shadow you see. Shadows are just a “me thing.”
The experience of being at this annual event takes getting used to. If huge crowds cause you anxiety, this is not the place to be—for any extended period. There are so many photographers (amateur and professional) vying for the attention of the paraders “to give them a look.” Every year, it’s typically the same.
If I get ten aesthetically good photographs each year—such as this one, I consider that day a photographic success. Again, there are thousands of people photographing the hundreds parading their hats.
So many visually interesting things going on in this photograph. What holds your interest? The act of seeing double? That they appear to be conjoined? The vintage aspect of their style? Their smiles? Their hats? The mesmerizing polka dots?
As you can tell, it no longer resembles anything even close to New York City’s 19th Century Easter Parades! (←weblink) So many factors have contributed to the changes. Time stands still for no one, or thing. The next parade is March 31, 2024.
As always, thank you for reading the newsletter through.
Til next time…
Kenneth