The Manhattan Bridge
New York City is a place filled with iconic photo spots. On a recent visit, my friend Adam Miller took me to Dumbo in Brooklyn for a morning of photography.
Adam is known for his sweeping panoramic photographs of the city on his Linhof 617 and also for his street photography. Check out his website here.
One iconic photo spot is on Washington Street, looking towards Manhattan. The Manhattan Bridge suspension tower on the Brooklyn side frames the Empire State Building. You have very likely seen many photos from this street. It’s a hot spot for photography. It’s a place you are unlikely to have to yourself.
At 7:45 on this weekday morning, there were more than twenty people with phones and cameras. Everything from selfies to a bridal shoot was happening among the traffic, parked cars, and delivery trucks.
I was fortunate to have the 180mm tilt/shift lens. It is the perfect focal length for my RZ67 for this shot. My plan was to isolate the bridge tower and get above the box trucks and people.
Earlier that morning, as we walked along the East River, Adam pointed out a view of the Empire State Building framed by the bridge tower. I also used the 180mm tilt/shift for this. Adam pulled a big branch back so it wouldn’t be in the frame.
It was a great morning to take photographs and hang out with a friend. Sometimes that’s all photography needs to be.
Absolutely love it, Scott. You’ve captured the vibe of our morning together very well! It was great fun!!
Great shots of surely iconic New York landmarks.
I'm be interested in your thought and work process when you edit photos. Unlike the older roll cameras, I find that digital requires editing on most of my photos. The good thing, of course, is that you see your images when they're downloaded to the computer.
Thanks for this blog. I enjoy following your work on Instagram. :)