Alaka Jayesekara

Welcome to Grand Central Station

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

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Built in 1903 this New York City landmark with its 44 platforms on 49 acres of underground is the largest of its kind in the world. Here my wide angle lens being put to the test capturing its cavernous Main Concourse, the center of Grand Central, at 275 feet in length a 120 feet wide and 125 feet high and is reportedly visited by 20 million plus people every year.

The Calm Before The Storm, New England, USA

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

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I find the New England states in the North East of the US most attractive in the fall months. Our recent trip up to Newport unfortunately turned up soggy and not the best weather for enjoying fall foliage. However, Newport for me, never fails to enthrall no matter what time of the year maybe bar summer when the traffic just gets to me.

Scent Of A Rose

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

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While testing an old manual Canon 55mm f/1.2 lens on a recently acquired Sony Nex-5T, my first foray into mirror less cameras, this rose in our garden seemed the only color around on a gloomy fall evening here on Long Island. I think the lens did a good wide open and manual photography brings me great joy specially shooting in monochrome.

Philipsburg Manor Gristmill

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

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Philipsburg Manor was an English Manor located in Sleepy Hollow, NY that lasted from 1693 to 1779 and pictured here is the still working gristmill that is still open to the public where one can learn how the mill was run along with history on how the manor was created by Royal Charter and what is known of the 20 odd African slaves that worked the property

In The Shade Of The Angel Oak

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

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Said to be 500 years old this Southern live oak tree produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet. This 66 foot tall tree located in John’s Island just south of Charleston in South Carolina is a magnificent example of the wonder of nature and is venerated by the locals and has given rise to many a folk lore during its long existence. If ever in the neighborhood make sure you visit with your widest lens in hand as you will surely need it to capture this beauty.

Avenue of Oaks

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

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Nikon 1 J1 1/125 @ f/4.5 ISO 100

The impressive “Avenue of Oaks” said to have been planted in 1743, is a natural corridor of moss draped southern Live Oak trees, that warmly welcomes you as one drives up to the Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant in Charleston, South Carolina.
With earliest known references going back to the 1680’s Boone Hall Plantation is open to the public and regarded as being an active plantation for over 320 years. My first encounter with this plantation was 10 years ago watching North and South the popular Civil War based mini series featuring the late Patrick Swayze in which the mansion and the grounds were used extensively. Last week I was able to visit the Plantation while on vacation to three Southern States, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia.