By Gus Saltonstall
I began working at West Side Rag in September of 2023.
That timeline means I’ve been writing the Monday Bulletin for a little over a year. It is a series that I enjoy doing. There is something very beneficial about taking time Sunday evening to look at the week to come, while also reviewing the week that was on the Upper West Side.
Part of the Monday Bulletin is the lead photo. There is no rule for what that photo might be, but it is something I’ve tried to become more purposeful about.
This growing effort to find a strong photo for the weekly story has also meant trying to improve my photo-taking ability. Jury is still out on that one.
Here’s a sampling of those photos — scenes from the neighborhood — in chronological order from last year to last week.
Photo Credit: Gus Saltonstall
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Stills work. You can wait for the unpleasantness to pass.
Beautiful pictures reminding us what New York is all about – Thank You
A master photographer!
Beautiful! 🙂 Love the UWS!
Dear Gus,
When the world is in turmoil, and I’m preparing for a political letter-writing event at my apartment today, I can stop for a moment, thanks to you. The beauty in your photos illustrates so well the haven where I live on the UWS. They are glorious photos, and you have captured the essence of the UWS with your eyes and your camera. Thank you!
~Tamara
Lovely photos. You are doing very well in your quest to capture scenes that will give WSR readers some joy. I too love to capture photos with reflected images, whether on a glass fronted building or a puddle. You can do a series like that and call it…….reflections on the year!
Having retired far from UWS NYC for years now, it sure was nice seeing so many familiar sights we loved so much. Thanks.
Gus — thanks for a year of great reporting, great copy, great pictures, and a feel for what makes the UWS the unique place it is. Nice to have you aboard the Good Ship Rag.
Enjoyed these photos especially since I haven’t lived in the UWS for a year now. I’m officially a Jersey girl (thankfully, northern NJ). I drive in once or twice a month to visit. Sometimes I miss my old neighborhood.
Never get tired of photos of our home, so beautiful, thank you so much, Gus Saltonstall.
I’m so sad I will have to leave our lovely UWS soon unless I can find a room to rent. Does anybody reading this happen to have one, or know someone who does? So many fake ads, with few real humans to be found. 😔
Beautiful!!
Thank you for these awesome pictures! They take me right back to the streets where I grew up and where my parents and I walked. The West side will always be my home.
Gus, the photos are beautiful. I never get tired of the scenes from the UWS when I walk around the neighborhood doing errands or taking walks for exercise. Either type of walk I take around the UWS gives me positive feelings due to nature scenes, people I see, the architecture, the different seasons, and various shifts of light depending on the time of day. Your photos show all these aspects. Keep the photos coming!
Lovely
The photographs are beautiful. I know this isn’t the point. I recognize some of them, but would love to have locations for all, if possible. With thanks, Lynn
Nice. You’re the best Gus!
I love your photos! I’m going to send them to my niece who is thinking about moving to Park Slope.
Lovely photos. Thanks for posting. So happy to the beautiful side of things.
Lovely pictures! Lots of great places to photograph on the Upper Westside! Please show more!
Check out the view from the upper floors of the Excelsior Hotel at night, especially in a light snow shower. Cue the Gershwin.