Quick Tips On Photographing The Brooklyn Bridge

Skyline shots and photos of iconic structures are something all photographers strive to shoot when in Manhattan, New York and David Clapp has headed to one of the most iconic structures in the city - Brooklyn Bridge.



Here's what he said: "Taking photos on the Brooklyn Bridge gives you the most wonderful opportunity to shoot traffic trails. There's so much traffic belting over the bridge that they create superb lines that take the eye right towards the city."

However, as with all busy locations, traffic causes vibrations and as David discovered, the bridge moves about a lot. Timing plays a big part in getting a sharp shot but as David explains, there's a few other things you can do too to ensure your shots are as sharp as possible:

"Ensure that your tripod is stable and be aware of vibrations at all times." Explains David. "A truck will create more movement than a few cars, so it's best to avoid shooting an exposure when anything large is rumbling towards the camera. The upper bridge floor, where I was positioned, is made of old wooden slats, so that made it sensitive to movement caused by bicycles and others standing close to the tripod. Make sure you watch the people around you at all times."

For the above shot, David blended two images with different white balances together: "Sodium lighting can be controlled effectively in this way, so I blended a 5000k image for the skyline with a 3200k for the road, which makes for a far better colour palette. I used Smart Objects when converting, so adjustments to colour temperature can be made throughout the processing."



To capture the remarkable suspension cables that span the Brooklyn Bridge David used a 15mm fisheye lens.

"I have numerous images taken from this point, but I think this one is the most interesting. The Sigma works absolute miracles with the perspective and I am always reaching for it when shooting architecture. The painted white line in the centre is not absolutely central at the this point, so after some careful decision making, I aligned the composition the best I could. I waited for the biggest gap I could before shooting."

The walkway is surprisingly narrow at some points over the bridge and you have to be aware of cyclists who have their own lane, plus the tourists walking along the other side.

The above shot is a single shot, no blending was carried out on this one.

"It looks a little 'assembled' due to the multiple light sources," Explains David. "Again, the magic is in the timing, ensuring that the photograph is taken at the right point. You'll find me running around like a lunatic for around 10minutes when the balance is correct."

To see more of David's work, visit his website: www.davidclapp.co.uk