March 2022 – Spring has Sprung NYC
If you have your Picture This Photography NYC Calendar this is your March 2022 image, “Spring has Sprung NYC.”
Spring brings hope, a fresh start, a vibrant colour palette and new beginnings, all of which are particularly apt right now. This photo was captured in my favourite place, Washington Square Park NYC and embodies all of the factors to me.
📷 Photographing in daylight required a balancing of light to capture detail without over/under exposing colour, add to the mix the many layers contained within the foreground and background means also choosing correct depth of field and a suitable focal point. I find great joy in zooming in on the detail to capture colour, detail and texture to fill the frame.
Spring has Sprung image was taken in Washington Square Park one morning before the crowds and light amplified! Ideally I prefer photographing in the morning from before sunrise to within the first 2 hours of daylight as it avoids crowds & direct sunlight.
I live in the neighbourhood & am lucky enough to visit the park all year round, morning, noon and night so have captured a variety of contrasting images. Spring is truly my favourite time of year and the first sight of blossom signals a time to increase my visits to capture peak bloom in an ever-changing landscape. To me, this is perfect peak bloom however a cold or rainy day can wipe it all away in a moment so timing is everything!
The contrast of the pink blossom against the grey arch creates maximum "pop" plus the colour palette is enriched by the red brick houses of Washington Square North while balanced with the calming, soft greenery. The warm weather increases the blossoming & burst of colour however post bloom a carpet of blossom is possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!
The Park has multiple trees that blossom but my favourite is the stunning tree that flourishes on the south side of the park by the Thompson Street entrance. This Kwanzan Cherry Blossom Tree is one of the first of the Park’s cherry trees to blossom. These trees bloom in early spring and are relatively low-maintenance while able to grow in a range of sunlight hours and soil. Kwanzan cherry trees thrive in full sunlight, with at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day, however, they can also tolerate partial shade. Perfect!
No matter what the weather, it is always an enjoyable experience to walk through Washington Square Park to see the musicians, jugglers, acrobats, skateboarders, artists alongside the families, dog walkers and visitors, just watch out for the crazies in the north-west corner!
I highly recommend checking out the park while it is in bloom as undoubtedly it will put a spring in your step when “Spring has Sprung NYC.”