In May I headed to New York and managed to get this shot of Times Square at dawn. Here’s the story.
I quite fancied going to Times Square to photograph the lights at night; my guide book told me it was one of the city’s highlights. However, I was thinking it would be crowded and although I wasn’t particularly worried about crime, it might be the place for pick-pockets, scams etc. Seeing as my hotel in West 37th Street was just a short walk away, I decided to go at dawn.
There was a strange eery light which took a while to sink in. In the far distance, maybe a mile or two up the street, it looked like smoke or something wafting around. As it allowed some buildings to come into vision and then disappear, I realised it was fog, a low cloud or something. It was changing quite quickly and I needed to move fast.
I took quite a lot of photos from almost the same spot (although I did step aside for traffic!). It is just as well I checked them as they were all under exposed; the camera setting was ‘P’ programme mode – a do everything automatic setting. I then over exposed the remaining photos and I’m pleased I did.
As dawn broke, the fog bank cleared. The city that never sleeps was stirring from a slumber with cars, lorries and vans appearing from nowhere.
I went back to my hotel feeling pretty confident I had some nice shots. I hope you agree.
The moral of the story for me is, take every opportunity. The photo was taken on a Friday morning in May, I was checking out of the hotel and travelling to a town in New Jersey for that weekend. Although I later returned to NYC, I didn’t stay in Manhattan and wouldn’t of had the chance to repeat this.
Panasonic Lumix GX9. Kit lens at 24mm equivalent.