Matt Carucci
Critical Studio
World Nearby
For this project I was assigned to visit Brighton Beach and Coney Island. I’ve never been to Coney Island but was really excited to be able to photograph there for the first time. I took the N train from Union Square all the way to Coney Island which is the last stop. I started there and spent a few hours throughout the park. I rode the sky swings and the Thunderbolt while I was there. It was a really hot day so the beach was crowded. Families out together for the day. It felt very summery which was cool. There’s a nostalgic feeling to boardwalk amusement parks. To me they feel very 60’s-70’s ish. I didn’t know that that was where the Nathan’s hotdog contest was held. That was hilarious to see, got to see Kobayashi’s name on the board, which was cool, whenever I think of the contest that’s who I imagine.
After that I took the Q train two stops down to Brighton Beach, which I quickly named Little Russia, later to find out it is that but called Little Odessa for its Russian and Eastern European communities. I found tons of traditional looking markets and restaurants. I wasn’t super hungry but wanted to at least try something so I stopped in a small Russian bakery and got a slice of Cranberry Pie. I enjoyed the fact that the train was above us, it provided a nice shade. It was also just nice to see it rather than going underground. I was surprised to see the dramatic difference in upkeep between the Coney Island station and only two stops later at Brighton Beach. Everything felt very authentic in Brighton Beach though. It was a really cool experience and I plan to do this throughout other neighborhoods and boroughs of New York. It offered me tons of opportunity for great photographs. Overall, one of the better projects I’ve had to do in my educational career.
