RYAN BENYI (a blog)

Street Art?:
I’m not sure what to call this, but these zip-tied poles are popping up all over New York City these days.

Salt Art:

Union Square, New York City

Is it Summer Yet?:

After a windy day with temperatures in the high 20’s all I can think about is summer and getting back on my bike with greater frequency.  I had a great summer food shoot for one of my editorial clients on Thursday.  I just shot this photo of a Lemonade-Tea with mint and thought I would post it.  Makes me long for warmer days with a little sun on the face.  Only 5 months away!

James Turrell: Meeting

Site specific installation at MoMA PS 1, LIC Queens.

Ignoring All Real Responsibilities Today:

I did help a friend fix a broken deadbolt this morning but otherwise I tossed all other projects out the window to take a bike ride. 60 degrees and sunny with light winds in NYC in January!! Just couldn’t pass on the chance to ride.

Post New Year’s Eve:

Street trash as art….

Little Shoes:

Reunited after all these years. Guess I was a bit cooler than I remembered.

Holiday Service:

It has been a few years but I got to go with my family for Christmas services at The Hungarian Reformed Church in Columbus’ south end.  My family has been attending the church since roughly 1919 when my Grandmother was baptized at the church (see 1907 labeled baptismal in the photo).  The church basement walls are lined with photos going back to the 1920’s.  We found my grandmother’s confirmation photo from 1931 (see photo, center girl with long curly hair).  My father has been singing with his childhood buddies for years at the holiday service.

There are only a small handful of Hungarian Reformed Churches in the United States.  Our family has always been proud to be a part of this church.  

The Fog:

The fog just won’t burn off today.  Weirdly surreal as I run around town. I always get the best weather while on vacation!  Happy Holidays!

Tree Time in the City:

One of my favorite times of the year is watching all the “tree people” build their 5 week temporary street camps used to sell trees to the fine citizens of New York. They range from simple huts to full on camper trailers. We must buy a lot of trees in the city because the sellers are on every corner!

More Cyclocross! (Long Island):

2011 Super Cross Cup MAC Series (Races #11 & #12)

A few photos from the mens Masters Race today.

Knot Tying (A Winter Project?):

There is something about knot tying that always makes me feel like I have no survival skills at all.  I can tie my shoes (and well) but beyond that, I fall apart.  I was shooting for This Old House this week and this was on a package of twine.  They managed to tie some pretty cool knots for a project we were photographing.  I just sat back and watched the magic.

I feel like learning a few knots might be a fun winter project this year.  Reminds me of my Boy Scout days (we must have covered this).

Oh wait!  I do know some decent fly fishing related knots, I guess that counts right?

PS:  Card says “Forty Knots” but it only shows you 22 of them…

Staten Island Cyclocross (SICX 2011):

Yesterday was the second year in a row I made it out to the SICX race at Wolf’s Pond Park in Staten Island.  SICX is still the only cross race in New York City.  This year was the 4th year for SICX.  It was sunny and rather warm for Mid-November (sorry CX mud fans, this years course was dry again).

Great crowd this year.  Lots of riders.  I really enjoyed watching the Elite men tear up the course.  They rode technical sections of the course than all other fields walked or ran.

The Cat 4 men’s race was full this year.  It’s a blast to watch so many Cat 4’s on the course at the same time.  One of the more exciting races of the day.

For more info, check out the SICX website:  SICX

Next weekend (November 19-20) is the 2011 Super Cross Cup MAC Series (Races 11 & 12) in Long Island.  If you’re itching to see or ride some cross you might want to check it out.

For more info on this race visit:  2011 Super Cross Cup MAC Series