MANHATTAN BRIDGE
With pretty little globes on top, this bridge warranted a closer look if any bridge ever did. So after a bridge-side recce with Shane and Rebecca, my plan was made, I had a nap and all that was left to do was to execute this mission!
First problem! The subway. Usually I'm quite good at getting lost, but this time it was through no fault of my own. I ended up being forced to get off at a different stop and meander through the streets until I found my desired destination. Luckily plenty of police officers were about to assist in directing me. Maybe they could have directed me to the top too but no need to ask, Rebecca and Shane had me up to date on that. Another important lesson I learnt from them was one of traffic - on the miniscule (in comparison, but I still adore them) bridges of Middlesbrough, traffic is just a nuisance, the less there is the better because no one likes a wobbling bridge top photograph, but here, traffic is good. In the city that never sleeps, the traffic never stops ... unless you've been seen!
Having climbed the ladder and stairs all the way up the Williamsburg, I thought to repeat might be boring, and so a structure climb it was. The most enjoyable bridge climb as of yet I must admit! Second problem: once at the top, having shot a few landscapes, I was ready to jump on the cables for that obligatory self portrait. Camera set, ready to press the button, I heard the most disturbing noise - there was still traffic noise, it wasn't the lack of vehicles, it was the addition of a different type of vehicle. A choppah was fast approaching, and I'd been warned about them searching bridges as they passed overhead. In one swift movement the camera and tripod were detached and bagged, and I was hidden as much as possible within the structure. I watched as the lights shone through it, and heard the air traffic fade into the distance until there was only road traffic left to be heard, a good sign.
First problem! The subway. Usually I'm quite good at getting lost, but this time it was through no fault of my own. I ended up being forced to get off at a different stop and meander through the streets until I found my desired destination. Luckily plenty of police officers were about to assist in directing me. Maybe they could have directed me to the top too but no need to ask, Rebecca and Shane had me up to date on that. Another important lesson I learnt from them was one of traffic - on the miniscule (in comparison, but I still adore them) bridges of Middlesbrough, traffic is just a nuisance, the less there is the better because no one likes a wobbling bridge top photograph, but here, traffic is good. In the city that never sleeps, the traffic never stops ... unless you've been seen!
Having climbed the ladder and stairs all the way up the Williamsburg, I thought to repeat might be boring, and so a structure climb it was. The most enjoyable bridge climb as of yet I must admit! Second problem: once at the top, having shot a few landscapes, I was ready to jump on the cables for that obligatory self portrait. Camera set, ready to press the button, I heard the most disturbing noise - there was still traffic noise, it wasn't the lack of vehicles, it was the addition of a different type of vehicle. A choppah was fast approaching, and I'd been warned about them searching bridges as they passed overhead. In one swift movement the camera and tripod were detached and bagged, and I was hidden as much as possible within the structure. I watched as the lights shone through it, and heard the air traffic fade into the distance until there was only road traffic left to be heard, a good sign.
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The picture to the right was exhibited in Londons Underground, showing at Aldgate East over June and July 2012.
I had tried to show the image to the left, taken in Sweden, but apparently London Underground don't like showing images of people sneaking round underground systems, I really don't understand why!! |
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After all the bridge-top business was complete, and a slow climb down back the way I came finished, I found myself in New York, by myself, in the middle of a night, on a bridge with only two ways off, one going the wrong way, the other with what appeared to be someone loitering, possibly having seen me climb down, or just looking for a weak foreign tourist to target. There were no other options, so with my hair tucked into my hat, I adopted my best man pose and began to strut along the bridge in my best man strut (probably looking like I was a physically and mentally disabled weak foreign tourist to target), considering the value of my kit let alone that of my life all the while.
What an idiot I am! Upon getting closer, I dropped my shoulders, hair and the silly walk from a sketch of Monty Python. It was a young lady, with the same amount of kit as I had; just hers was all out and on display as she shot landscapes of NY from the bridge. In my relief I took it upon myself to introduce myself and talk rubbish as only I know how. Her name is Stephanie O'Connor and she studies photography, and had been out many times on her own, and it was perfectly safe, she was only rubbing it in!
After the pleasantries were aside, we each continued on our own separate photography missions. Mine took me to the watering hole of choice, the Patriot of course, where a quick beverage was required before I got some more directional assistance from New Yorks finest, and then ran up the cables of the Brooklyn. The Patriot along with some bar top dancing and the Brooklyn Bridge were also to be repeated the next night with Moe.
Once again, thanks to everyone in New York for hosting me! What a great week, full of great people that I only wish I lived closer too.
What an idiot I am! Upon getting closer, I dropped my shoulders, hair and the silly walk from a sketch of Monty Python. It was a young lady, with the same amount of kit as I had; just hers was all out and on display as she shot landscapes of NY from the bridge. In my relief I took it upon myself to introduce myself and talk rubbish as only I know how. Her name is Stephanie O'Connor and she studies photography, and had been out many times on her own, and it was perfectly safe, she was only rubbing it in!
After the pleasantries were aside, we each continued on our own separate photography missions. Mine took me to the watering hole of choice, the Patriot of course, where a quick beverage was required before I got some more directional assistance from New Yorks finest, and then ran up the cables of the Brooklyn. The Patriot along with some bar top dancing and the Brooklyn Bridge were also to be repeated the next night with Moe.
Once again, thanks to everyone in New York for hosting me! What a great week, full of great people that I only wish I lived closer too.
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