Wednesday December 5, 2007, Albany, New York, USA

AG Andrew Cuomo Project Sunlight

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo after speaking with reporters at the conclusion of a press conference in which his office announced Project Sunlight, a public integrity initiative. The Attorney General spoke at the New York State Museum in Albany.

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Friday September 25, 2009, East Fishkill, New York, USA

Nanoscale Science

A worker at the IBM 300mm FAB, Systems & Technology Group, East Fishkill, NY. 2006-10-06 Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Monday August 10, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

NY Giants prepare for upcoming season

The New York Giants prepare for the upcoming National Football League season, during their training camp at the University at Albany.

Sidelines at a 2009 Giants training camp practice at the University at Albany.

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Monday September 7, 2009, East Chatham, New York, USA

David Himmelstein

Dr. David Himmelstein, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program, at his home. He is a leader in the movement for universal health care.

David Himmelstein

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Tuesday November 10, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

Protesters demand action on gay marriage vote

Senator Thomas Duane, the only openly gay member of the New York State Senate, is the chief sponsor of legalizing gay marriage in New York. Protesters gathered at the State Capitol demanding that the legislature take a vote on gay marriage. The vote was not brought up during the special session.

Andrew Zwerin and Jeff Friedman hold their son Joshua Zwerin's hands during the protest

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday October 10, 2007, Latham, New York, USA

New York Senator Joseph Bruno takes a swing at boxing

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno practices his punches at Gold's Gym in Latham. The senator was at the gym to promote an upcoming WBC/USNBC heavyweight boxing match between Shannon Miller and "Baby" Joe Mesi.

Joseph L. Bruno wears boxing gloves while punching a bag.

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Friday July 31, 2009

Olivia Flory practices here dance moves at the children's gallery at the The National Museum of Dance. The children's gallery has a stage with a video camera that projects the dancer's image on the far wall so kids can see themselves dance. They can also try on various costumes. Saratoga Springs, NY, Friday, July 31, 2009. Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Friday February 27, 2009

Father Peter G. Young at a halfway house in Albany. 2009-02-27 Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Monday October 22, 2007, Albany, New York, USA

Opposition mounts against New York driver's license plan

Demonstrators rally outside the New York State Capitol against Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to issue drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. As opposition against the policy continues to mount, seven more counties in the state announced they would not enforce the edict. In all, 20 county clerks are vowing to devy Spitzer's threats of legal action for not assisting him in implementing the policy.

Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (L) and Eliot Spitzer (C) depart Smith's office at the capitol after a closed door meeting regarding the governor's plan.

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Tuesday September 25, 2007, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Ben Affleck tours Boston neighborhoods from his directorial debut

Actor and Director Ben Affleck tours south Boston visiting set locations used in his upcoming directorial debut, "Gone Baby Gone." The film tells the story of two Boston detectives investigating the kidnapping of a young girl.

Ben Affleck

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Sunday September 2, 2007

Former President William J. Clinton and Senator and Presidential Candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton at a rally in downtown Portsmouth, NH. Portsmouth, NH, Sunday, September 2, 2007. Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Sunday July 22, 2007

Bread & Puppet's The Pageant is a mobile performance that follows the Divine Reality Comedy Circus. Glover, VT. 2007-07-22 Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday July 25, 2007, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

Joe Bruno will speak for first time since AG report on Spitzer

New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno at a press conference at Saratoga Race Track where he discussed the use, by the Governor's office, of the State Police to track the senator's whereabouts. July, 25, 2007, Saratoga Springs, NY. Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Saturday February 3, 2007

An ice castle under construction in the town of Saranac, NY for an annual winter carnival. 2007-02-03 Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday November 18, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

NY Governor pushes through legislation

Governor David A. Paterson approved Leandra's law, a bill that would make driving while intoxicated, with a child in the car, a felony. The the bill is named after Lenny Rosado's daughter, a victim in a drunk driving accident.

Governor David A. Paterson signs Leandra's law, making the bill a law; Lenny Rosado (left) holds a picture of his daughter for whom the bill is named

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday December 23, 2009

Assemblyman Daniel J. O'Donnell at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Albany, NY, December 23, 2009. Nathaniel Brooks for The New York TImes

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday December 2, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

Gay marriage bill defeated

Proposed bill from New York State Senator Thomas Duane, allowing same-sex marriage, did not leave the Senate floor, as it was defeated 38-24. This has been seen as a set back on the national stage in the fight for gay marriage. The loss in New York, an epicenter of finance, arts, culture, and a liberal agenda, may signal that an uncertain national climate remains on the issue and may hurt similar bills in other states. However already 5 states already recognize gay marriage and Washington, D.C.'s city council is slated to legalize it in January 2010.

Senator Thomas K. Duane, sponsor of the same sex legislation, speaking on behalf of his bill

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Friday November 20, 2009, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

Forest kindergarten

Kindergarten students at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs offer students, and parents, a 325-acre classroom. Children, ages 3-and-a-half to 6, spend three hours each day outside, regardless of weather. The outdoor state parkland, the Hemlock Trail, along with an empty farmhouse, acts as a classroom for the 23-pupil class. Tuition at the progressive school is steep, $7,000 annually, but parents are impressed. The curriculum is based off of teachings of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, emphasizing the arts and the natural world. There is no formal academic curriculum until the first grade.

A student collects wood to build a teepee during morning activities in the woods behind the school house

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Friday November 20, 2009, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

Forest kindergarten

Kindergarten students at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs offer students, and parents, a 325-acre classroom. Children, ages 3-and-a-half to 6, spend three hours each day outside, regardless of weather. The outdoor state parkland, the Hemlock Trail, along with an empty farmhouse, acts as a classroom for the 23-pupil class. Tuition at the progressive school is steep, $7,000 annually, but parents are impressed. The curriculum is based off of teachings of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, emphasizing the arts and the natural world. There is no formal academic curriculum until the first grade.

Students hang up their coats and hats after spending the morning outside

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Thursday October 22, 2009, Albany, New York

NY leaders argue at the Capitol

Governor David A. Paterson met with legislative leaders where Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver got in a testy exchange with Senate Minority Leader Dean G. Skelos.

Harry MacAvoy on the stairs of the State Capitol

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Sunday October 18, 2009, Gloversville, New York, USA

The last glove maker in Gloversville

Daniel Storto a native Canadian from Toronto, left high school to pursue fashion and adventure. He has worked designing everything from swimwear to costumes and ultimately, gloves. Catering to the likes of Meryl Streep, and Madonna, he was acquired to create a replica of Jackie Kennedy's opera gloves for the Costume Institutes 2001 show. He moved to Gloversville, a now factory abandoned Mecca of the glove making industry, to stet up shop. Old time glove makers, inspired by his enthusiasm and elevation of their craft, have bequeathed many tools and best wishes to the designer.

Glove maker Daniel Storto holds a pair of his lambskin leather children's gloves

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Sunday October 18, 2009, Gloversville, New York, USA

The last glove maker in Gloversville

Daniel Storto a native Canadian from Toronto, left high school to pursue fashion and adventure. He has worked designing everything from swimwear to costumes and ultimately, gloves. Catering to the likes of Meryl Streep, and Madonna, he was acquired to create a replica of Jackie Kennedy's opera gloves for the Costume Institutes 2001 show. He moved to Gloversville, a now factory abandoned Mecca of the glove making industry, to stet up shop. Old time glove makers, inspired by his enthusiasm and elevation of their craft, have bequeathed many tools and best wishes to the designer.

Glove maker Daniel Storto holds a pair of his long evening gloves for kids

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Friday September 25, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

Senator Hillary Clinton in Albany

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton receives the endorsement of state democratic leaders at the state Capitol. Albany, NY. 2007-05-14 Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Thursday May 10, 2007, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

Alexander Treadwell to run against Kirsten Gillibrand for Congress

Alexander Treadwell at his office in downtown Saratoga Springs. Treadwell has declared his candidacy for the 20th New York Congressional seat currently held by Kirsten Gillbrand.

Alexander Treadwell

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Monday August 10, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

NY Giants prepare for upcoming season

The New York Giants prepare for the upcoming National Football League season, during their training camp at the University at Albany.

From behind a fence New York Giants' fans watch a training camp practice at the University at Albany

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Thursday August 6, 2009

School children listen to the debate over mayoral control of New York City schools from the New York State Senate gallery. 2009-08-06 Nathaniel Brooks

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday July 29, 2009, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

Neuroscientist turned horse trainer

Michelle Nihei holds a Ph.D in neuroscience and was a member of the junior faculty at Johns Hopkins; now she is building a name for herself as a horse trainer in Saratoga. Nihei left science to pursue her true passion, starting as an exercise rider and an assistant at the Todd Pletcher stable. She made her debut in her own right in 2007 and has won 14 races thus far, slowly building the quantity and quality of her stable. She has 14 horses at Saratoga and plans to make a name for herself by aiming for the top and wining.

Michelle Nihei prepares her horses' tack

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday September 26, 2007, Albany, New York, USA

NY State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Alexander Grannis

New York State Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation Alexander B. "Pete" Grannis, at his Albany office.

Alexander B. "Pete" Grannis

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris

Wednesday November 18, 2009, Albany, New York, USA

Special session of NY state Senate

Senators spoke to reporters and reach other, trying to promote and swing support for issues broached at the special legislative session. Deficit reduction was one of the forefront issues to tackle.

Senators Eric Adams and Vincent L. Leibell have a conversation

Credit: Nathaniel Brooks / Polaris