2020 – My Photographic Journey through an Isolating Year

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Sheryl Checkman

My Photographic Journey through an Isolating Year Book cover

Over the course of 10 months, I traversed New York City and its environs by foot, bike, ferry, and occasionally by car, my camera in hand, seeking out the beauty in nature as a reaction to the devastating Covid-19 Pandemic. The resulting book, 2020–My Photographic Journey Through an Isolating Year documents my ability to see past the loneliness of social distancing and, find inspiration and some positive brightness in an otherwise bleak year.

My Photographic Journey through an Isolating Year, Randall's Island book spread

My Photographic Journey through an Isolating Year, Central Park, book spread

Desperate to get outside and combat the loneliness of being separated from friends and family, I grabbed my camera and embarked on walks around the city, discovering new things to see in familiar places. In addition to discovering new neighborhoods accessible by foot or ferry, I also learned the names of the various birds and wildlife that exist right here in NYC. Posting these images to Facebook and Instagram, I was surprised at how appreciative my friends were to join in virtually on my excursions. They were able to share my experiences through my photographs and, perhaps file this information for the time they too felt comfortable enough to visit them on their own.

I decided to put this book together to share my discoveries with other New Yorkers and show them just what beauty lies within their reach.

My photographic journey through an Isolating year, DUMBO Brooklyn book spread

My photographic journey through an Isolating year, Sam's Point hiking spread

My photographic journey through an Isolating year, Sam's point hik spread

I shot with an Olympus OMD EM5 Mark III mirrorless camera and the lenses that I used for these photos included: M. Zuiko 14-150mm, 60mm, 7-14 mm Pro, 8mm Pro Fisheye, and the 75-300mm.

The book is available in a large, coffee table size and also in a smaller 11 x 8 size in both hardcover and softcover.

Dreamscapes – Expressing my Creativity through Photography

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sheryl Checkman

Riverscape

I received a new Olympus OM-D EM5 Mark II mirrorless camera for my birthday this year. Up until now, I’ve been using a Canon G11, higher end point and shoot camera. I liked that camera but felt limited creatively. My new Olympus however, is allowing me to tap into my creativity, while I am learning to use it! I am hoping to grow, not only as an artist and designer, but as a photographer as well.

I’ve started a series of photographs that are impressionistic in nature. I am calling this series my dreamscapes, because they are landscape photos with a very dream-like, painterly look. For the most part I am making these photos within the camera, only relying on the computer to enhance colors more to my liking and mood. The photo above, Riverscape, was taken looking at the East River in NYC from Carl Shurz Park on the Upper East Side. The photos below, Park Bench Dream and Park View were also taken from Carl Shurz Park, but the vantage points and subject matter produce much different photos.

This series is all about looking at things differently in order to create a unique work of art. The photos below are available for purchase at my Etsy Shop. You can click on each to go right to the listing. I welcome your thoughts and comments!

Park Bench Dream

Park View

Moonstruck…by a Supermoon!

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Sheryl Checkman

Super Moon over the east River in NYC

Sunday evening I was lucky enough to go down to the East River promenade in Carl Shurz Park on the upper East Side of Manhattan to witness the rise of the supermoon! This past weekend’s full moon was the closest that the moon will get to the earth’s elliptical orbit for 2013. As I stood on the promenade waiting for the moon to show it’s face I was in the company of other photographers waiting for the same event. A few had fancy SLR cameras on tripods, some like me a point and shoot or an iPhone. I used a Canon G11 point with a tiny tripod so that I could use the night shot settings without getting a blurred picture. It worked out pretty well although I must say that I was a bit envious of the fancier cameras, with long lenses, which could really get a much better perspective. But all in all I don’t think it’s too bad for a point & shoot! Below are a few of my other shots – some with a little added creativity! Enjoy!