If you have your Picture This Photography calendar this is your October set of images collectively titled “Golden Moments”
To me, the best time to photograph New York landmarks is during sunrise and sunset as that warm glow is pure magic while creating those Golden Moments. The silhouetted steel bridge structures command attention day & night however none more than against a bold illuminated sky.
Image 1-City Silhouettes at The Williamsburg Bridge shows the beautiful bridge at Sunset as blue hour & golden hour seamlessly intertwine. The iconic New York skyline silhouette sits underneath the bridge structure creating a secondary point of interest and compliments the elevated horizon.
📷This image was captured hand held one summer evening from a Williamsburg rooftop using a wide angle with shallow depth of field, low ISO & cloudy white balance.
Image 2-Sunset serenity shows the moment the sun dips below eye level over Dumbo creating eye-catching silhouettes. The water tower to the top left balances perspective with the small boat to the lower right. The Dumbo Clock Tower creates a interesting peak and silhouette to draw the eye across the image. While looking through The Manhattan & Brooklyn Bridge an eclectic mix of moments are happening combined with partial views of Jane’s Carousel & The Statue of Liberty. Even though alot is happening in the image the colour palette gives it an overall feeling of serenity at sunset.
📷This image was captured from a moving ferry between South Williamsburg & Pier 11 one Sunday evening using a wide angle, fast shutter speed & low ISO.
Image 3-Golden Sunrise South St Seaport captures the sun rising behind The Williamsburg Bridge while looking through The Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges. Depending upon the time of year the sun rises higher up or lower down The East River and I like the offset positioning here. To the left are the grand Tall Ships Wavertree and Ambrose waiting for the day to start & visitors to arrive. The calmness over The East River creates an air of tranquility while the colour palette and texture create pockets of interest.
📷This image was captured early one morning from Pier 17 close to South Street Seaport looking up The East River.
Image 4-Night on fire from Astoria Park captures the commanding view from this Queens waterfront park across The East River at sunset. This image looks towards the silhouette of Manhattan through both The Hellgate Bridge & The TrIborough Bridge. Hellgate Bridge in the foreground is a steel rounded-shaped railroad bridge that frames the tie-dyed sky while The Manhattan skyline sitting underneath the Triborough Bridge adding a secondary point of interest.
📷This image was captured from Astoria Park in Queens looking towards Manhattan through Hellgate Bridge & The TrIborough Bridge at Sunset.
Insider Tip-The golden hour starts approx 45 mins before sunset and continues into blue hour 30 minutes after, the best colour are during this window. Set your camera to underexpose your images tones.
When looking to capture the essence of New York City be sure to always look for those “Golden Moments”