MarkMcQueen. Photographer - New York City Professional Freelance Photographer Serving Individuals to Fortune 100 Companies

Dive Bars in New York City: The Dublin House Tap Room

Published on February 20, 2013

The Dublin House Tap Room

Assignment: Photograph One of the Best Dive Bars in New York City, The Dublin House

As a freelance photographer in New York, I get assignments from a diverse clientele. But I was surprised by this one.

DiveBarShirtClub.com finds unique dive bars all over the country, and—once a month—sends its members a t-shirt from among the best dive bars, along with interesting factoids about the place.

April’s Dive Bar of the Month was chosen from among the many dive bars in New York City. The Dublin House Tap Room is Irish to the core. This Upper West Side tavern is a well-known neighborhood watering hole, located 1/2 block from the 79th St. subway stop on the 7th Ave (#1 & 2) line. The Bar opens at 9am.

I realized that one of this pub’s best features was the big harp-shaped neon sign outside, so I decided to return to the old tavern at dusk, when the sign would shine.

The most interesting thing about dive bars is probably (I’m sure I don’t know) their patrons and bartenders, but the assignment called for interiors, details and the facade, without any people that would be recognizable in the photos. So this was more of an architectural and interior photography job.

After finishing the neon sign in the rain later that day, I couldn’t resist a wee pint. I was scolded for pronouncing the “w” in “Smithwick’s”, then told that it happens all the time and that I should appreciate being corrected.

Cheers.

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Daily Photo: a new Photo Every Day in 2013

Published on January 2, 2013

Since abandoning my last film camera in 2000, I’ve spent more and more time at the computer, and less time behind a camera. This has allowed me to offer state-of-the-art digital services to my clients, after learning portrait retouching, web design, and other useful skills.

But now I want to get back to spending the bulk of my time behind cameras. With that goal in mind, I intend to shoot and upload at least one photo every day in 2013. No images from my archive allowed. Each day I’ll upload something shot the day before.

Today’s photo (taken yesterday): Bella’s fuzzy snout.

Happy New Year!

Update: Since this is a personal discipline project, I’ve decided to post my daily photos to my Facebook account (Facebook.com/MarkMcQueenNYC)

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Street Festival Photography: Ferragosto, in The Bronx’s Little Italy

Published on September 20, 2012

Some people say New York’s real Little Italy is in The Bronx. That may be so, but living in the East Village makes it considerably less convenient than the Little Italy downtown.

Even so, when an event consultant with the Belmont DMA asked me to provide photography of the street festival Ferragosto 2012, a huge and vibrant gathering in the Northern Little Italy, I jumped at the chance to see a neighborhood with which I was previously unfamiliar.
Plus, how could I turn down the opportunity to meet one of my favorite TV Gangsters, Dominic Chinanese (“Uncle Junior” from The Sopranos), just one of the many well-known performers entertaining the packed festival?

After nearly 90 minutes on the F and D trains, I emerged on the Grand Concourse and headed East. Fordham Road is a lively shopping street full of bargains, pizza, and street vendors. Then I crossed a few quiet neighborhood blocks, and finally the sights and sounds of Ferragosto appeared: smoke from numerous golden pigs on spits and savory sausages on grills; performers in full Italian regalia entertaining a happy crowd that ranged from families with small children to elderly retirees in wheelchairs.

I liked the neighborhood enough that a week later my wife and I made the journey again, had clams at Umberto’s, and ended up at MichaelAngelo’s on 189th and Arthur Ave for dinner. They have a sprawling back room with spacious tables, trees and plants everywhere, several private rooms behind curtains, bountiful dishes and an attendant staff. All of our Italian food was delicious, and we’ll return someday.

For information on and samples of New York special event photography, visit my Manhattan Public Relations, Non-Profit and Corporate Special Events Photographer site.

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Four New Websites

Published on September 19, 2012

You’ve reached the general website and blog for Mark McQueen, New York City Photographer.

Here are my other main websites:

phoDOGraphy features all-new galleries and a pet portrait price that I just reduced by 30%!
My Business Portraits site has information to help you look your best in your publicity portrait (even if you don’t hire me). Plus, how my service is different from the rest, and why you should look carefully at the real cost of hiring an executive portrait photographer.
PRphotoNYC includes extensive samples of corporate and non-profit special events photography I have taken over the years, along with information on getting photo coverage of your next event.

I have had these sites for years, but all four have been completely redesigned from the ground-up (as of late September, 2012). They are designed to be as readable on your phone as on a big screen.

I welcome your comments!

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