It was just this summer that I started working seriously on my photography.  One thing I decided to do — in addition to going on planned photowalks —  would be to occasionally take my camera with me all day.  Since I spend most day sin an office, that mostly meant looking for chance photo opportunities going to and from the office.  It did not lead to very many opportunities.  Some of that has to do, I think, with specifics of my commute that aren’t that interesting, but I also think the familiarity caused some problems.  I’ve lived and worked in the same 2 locations for about 12 years, and it is hard to look at the well-trod routes with fresh eyes.

Still, the very first day I tried this, the scene above presented itself after exiting the subway on the way home.  Not just some guys playing basketball, but an absolute explosion of players, colors, and motion.  Unfortunately, I had just put my camera in my bag when I noticed, and then at that moment the bus showed up.  I managed to take the single rushed shot shown here.  It has some technical flaws and is less than sharp, so I spent a lot of time experimenting with dozens of  processing techniques.  I’m not even sure what went into this result.  I know Topaz Adjust and Detail were involved, plus some noise reduction tools, and goodness knows what else.