Photographing New York City: Digital Field Guide

Photographing New York City: Digital Field Guide

Released May 2010
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780470586853

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Book description

Take memorable photos of the most popular attractions in the Big Apple!

Whether using a point-and-shoot or a high-end dSLR, this companion guide provides you with detailed information for taking amazing shots of one of one of the world's most photographed cities. Whether you aim to capture the regal Empire State Building, vibrant Times Square, historic Grand Central Station, massive Central Park, or one of New York City's many other landmarks, this portable resource goes where you go and walks you through valuable tips and techniques for taking the best shot possible.

You'll discover suggested locations for taking photos, recommended equipment, what camera settings to use, best times of day to photograph specific attractions, how to handle weather challenges, and more. In addition, beautiful images of New York City's most breathtaking attractions and recognizable landmarks serve to both inspire and assist you as you embark on an amazing photographic adventure!

  • Elevates your photography skills to a new level with photography secrets from professional photographer and SmugMug COO, Andy Williams

  • Presents clear, understandable tips and techniques that span all skill levels, using all types of digital cameras, from full-featured compact cameras to high end DSLRs

  • Features New York City's main attractions in alphabetical order as well as thumb tabs on the pages so you can quickly and easily access the information you are looking for

  • Shares detailed information and insight on critical topics, such as ideal locations to photograph from, the best time of day to shoot, camera equipment to have handy, weather conditions, and optimal camera settings to consider

Whether you're a local familiar with the territory or a visitor seeing the Big Apple for the first time, this handy guide will help you capture fantastic photos!

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Authors
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. Who the Book Is For
    2. How To Use This Book
  6. 1. The Bronx Zoo
    1. 1.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 1.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 1.2.1. Zoo Center
      2. 1.2.2. Big Bears
      3. 1.2.3. Congo Gorilla Forest
      4. 1.2.4. JungleWorld
      5. 1.2.5. Tiger Mountain
      6. 1.2.6. Sea Bird Aviary
    3. 1.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 1.3.1. Equipment
        1. 1.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 1.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 1.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 1.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 1.3.2.1. Fast-moving subjects
        2. 1.3.2.2. Slow-moving subjects
      3. 1.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 1.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 1.3.5. Getting creative
  7. 2. The Brooklyn Bridge
    1. 2.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 2.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 2.2.1. The pedestrian walkway
      2. 2.2.2. The Brooklyn Bridge Park
    3. 2.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 2.3.1. Equipment
        1. 2.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 2.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 2.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 2.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 2.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 2.3.2.2. ISO
      3. 2.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 2.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 2.3.5. Getting Creative
  8. 3. Castle Clinton
    1. 3.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 3.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 3.2.1. The exterior
      2. 3.2.2. The interior
      3. 3.2.3. On the waterfront
    3. 3.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 3.3.1. Equipment
        1. 3.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 3.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 3.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 3.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 3.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 3.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 3.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 3.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 3.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 3.3.5. Getting creative
  9. 4. The Cathedral Church of Saint John The Divine
    1. 4.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 4.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 4.2.1. 112th and Amsterdam Avenue
      2. 4.2.2. Interior of the cathedral
    3. 4.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 4.3.1. Equipment
        1. 4.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 4.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 4.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 4.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 4.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 4.3.2.2. ISO
      3. 4.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 4.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 4.3.5. Getting creative
  10. 5. Central Park
    1. 5.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 5.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 5.2.1. The Pond
      2. 5.2.2. Dairy Visitor Center
      3. 5.2.3. Sheep Meadow
      4. 5.2.4. Strawberry Fields
      5. 5.2.5. Conservatory Water
      6. 5.2.6. The Lake
      7. 5.2.7. Belvedere Castle
    3. 5.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 5.3.1. Equipment
        1. 5.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 5.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 5.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 5.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 5.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 5.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 5.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 5.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 5.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 5.3.5. Getting creative
  11. 6. Chinatown
    1. 6.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 6.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 6.2.1. Mott Street and Canal Street
    3. 6.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 6.3.1. Equipment
        1. 6.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 6.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 6.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 6.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 6.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 6.3.2.2. ISO
        3. 6.3.2.3. White balance
      3. 6.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 6.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 6.3.5. Getting creative
  12. 7. The Cloisters
    1. 7.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 7.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 7.2.1. Outside from the south
      2. 7.2.2. Inside, Museum Galleries
    3. 7.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 7.3.1. Equipment
        1. 7.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 7.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 7.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 7.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 7.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 7.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 7.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 7.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 7.3.4. Getting Creative
  13. 8. The Empire State Building
    1. 8.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 8.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 8.2.1. 34th Street and Fifth Avenue
      2. 8.2.2. In the lobby
      3. 8.2.3. The observation decks
    3. 8.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 8.3.1. Equipment
        1. 8.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 8.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 8.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 8.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 8.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 8.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 8.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 8.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 8.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 8.3.5. Getting creative
  14. 9. The Flatiron Building
    1. 9.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 9.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 9.2.1. 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue
      2. 9.2.2. The sides
      3. 9.2.3. Madison Square Park
    3. 9.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 9.3.1. Equipment
        1. 9.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 9.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 9.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 9.3.2. Camera Settings
        1. 9.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 9.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 9.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 9.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 9.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 9.3.5. Getting creative
  15. 10. Grand Central Terminal
    1. 10.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 10.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 10.2.1. 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue
      2. 10.2.2. The Main Concourse
      3. 10.2.3. The balconies
      4. 10.2.4. The tracks
    3. 10.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 10.3.1. Equipment
        1. 10.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 10.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 10.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 10.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 10.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 10.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 10.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 10.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 10.3.4. Getting creative
  16. 11. The Guggenheim Museum
    1. 11.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 11.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 11.2.1. Fifth Avenue and 89th Street
      2. 11.2.2. The rotunda
    3. 11.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 11.3.1. Equipment
        1. 11.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 11.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 11.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 11.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 11.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 11.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 11.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 11.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 11.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 11.3.5. Getting creative
  17. 12. The USS Intrepid
    1. 12.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 12.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 12.2.1. 12th Avenue in front of the bow
      2. 12.2.2. The flight deck
      3. 12.2.3. The USS Growler
    3. 12.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 12.3.1. Equipment
        1. 12.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 12.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 12.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 12.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 12.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 12.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 12.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 12.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 12.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 12.3.5. Getting creative
  18. 13. Manhattan From Roosevelt Island
    1. 13.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 13.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 13.2.1. Along the Western Promenade
      2. 13.2.2. Southpoint Park
      3. 13.2.3. The Roosevelt Island Tramway
    3. 13.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 13.3.1. Equipment
        1. 13.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 13.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 13.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 13.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 13.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 13.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 13.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 13.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 13.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 13.3.5. Getting creative
  19. 14. Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges
    1. 14.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 14.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 14.2.1. Brooklyn Bridge Park
      2. 14.2.2. Underneath FDR Drive
    3. 14.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 14.3.1. Equipment
        1. 14.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 14.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 14.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 14.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 14.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 14.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 14.3.2.3. ISO
        4. 14.3.2.4. Noise reduction
      3. 14.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 14.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 14.3.5. Getting creative
  20. 15. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    1. 15.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 15.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 15.2.1. Fifth Avenue
      2. 15.2.2. The Great Hall
      3. 15.2.3. The galleries
      4. 15.2.4. The grounds
    3. 15.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 15.3.1. Equipment
        1. 15.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 15.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 15.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 15.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 15.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 15.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 15.3.2.3. ISO
        4. 15.3.2.4. Drive mode
      3. 15.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 15.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 15.3.5. Getting creative
  21. 16. The Museum of Natural History
    1. 16.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 16.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 16.2.1. Front of the building
      2. 16.2.2. The Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda
      3. 16.2.3. The exhibit areas
    3. 16.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 16.3.1. Equipment
        1. 16.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 16.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 16.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 16.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 16.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 16.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 16.3.2.3. ISO
        4. 16.3.2.4. Drive mode
        5. 16.3.2.5. Metering mode
      3. 16.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 16.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 16.3.5. Getting creative
  22. 17. New York Botanical Garden
    1. 17.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 17.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 17.2.1. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
      2. 17.2.2. Benenson ornamental conifers
      3. 17.2.3. The waterfall on the Bronx River
    3. 17.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 17.3.1. Equipment
        1. 17.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 17.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 17.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 17.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 17.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 17.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 17.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 17.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 17.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 17.3.5. Getting creative
  23. 18. The New York Public Library
    1. 18.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 18.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 18.2.1. Fifth Avenue
      2. 18.2.2. The lobby
      3. 18.2.3. The Adam R. Rose Main Reading Room
    3. 18.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 18.3.1. Equipment
        1. 18.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 18.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 18.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 18.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 18.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 18.3.2.2. ISO
        3. 18.3.2.3. White balance
      3. 18.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
        1. 18.3.3.1. Getting creative
  24. 19. Rockefeller Center
    1. 19.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 19.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 19.2.1. The plaza in front of the rink
      2. 19.2.2. Underneath Atlas
      3. 19.2.3. Top of the Rock
    3. 19.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 19.3.1. Equipment
        1. 19.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 19.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 19.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 19.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 19.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 19.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 19.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 19.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 19.3.4. Getting creative
  25. 20. The Rose Center for Earth and Space
    1. 20.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 20.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 20.2.1. Outside the Hayden Planetarium
      2. 20.2.2. On the Heilbrun Cosmic Pathway
    3. 20.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 20.3.1. Equipment
        1. 20.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 20.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 20.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 20.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 20.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 20.3.2.2. Drive mode
        3. 20.3.2.3. White balance
        4. 20.3.2.4. ISO
      3. 20.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 20.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 20.3.5. Getting creative
  26. 21. Saint Patrick's Church Cathedral
    1. 21.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 21.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 21.2.1. Outside on Fifth Avenue
      2. 21.2.2. The Nave
      3. 21.2.3. Side chapels
      4. 21.2.4. The North Transept
    3. 21.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 21.3.1. Equipment
        1. 21.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 21.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 21.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 21.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 21.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 21.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 21.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 21.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
        1. 21.3.3.1. Getting creative
  27. 22. SoHo
    1. 22.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 22.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 22.2.1. Prince Street
      2. 22.2.2. West Broadway
      3. 22.2.3. Grand Street
    3. 22.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 22.3.1. Equipment
        1. 22.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 22.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 22.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 22.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 22.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 22.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 22.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 22.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 22.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 22.3.5. Getting creative
  28. 23. South Street Seaport
    1. 23.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 23.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 23.2.1. Pier 16
      2. 23.2.2. Fulton Street
      3. 23.2.3. The Seaport at Pier 17
      4. 23.2.4. Brooklyn Heights Promenade
    3. 23.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 23.3.1. Equipment
        1. 23.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 23.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 23.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 23.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 23.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 23.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 23.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 23.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 23.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 23.3.5. Getting creative
  29. 24. The Staten Island Ferry
    1. 24.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 24.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 24.2.1. The ferry passing the Statue of Liberty
      2. 24.2.2. The ferry leaving Manhattan
      3. 24.2.3. Battery Park
    3. 24.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 24.3.1. Equipment
        1. 24.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 24.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 24.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 24.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 24.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 24.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 24.3.2.3. ISO
        4. 24.3.2.4. Image stabilization
      3. 24.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 24.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 24.3.5. Getting creative
  30. 25. The Statue of Liberty
    1. 25.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 25.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 25.2.1. The approach on the ferry
      2. 25.2.2. The pedestal's base
      3. 25.2.3. Up the stairs
      4. 25.2.4. The observation area
    3. 25.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 25.3.1. Equipment
        1. 25.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 25.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 25.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 25.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 25.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 25.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 25.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 25.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 25.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 25.3.5. Getting creative
  31. 26. Times Square
    1. 26.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 26.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 26.2.1. 43rd Street looking north
      2. 26.2.2. Duffy Square
      3. 26.2.3. 50th Street looking south
    3. 26.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 26.3.1. Equipment
        1. 26.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 26.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 26.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 26.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 26.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 26.3.2.2. Metering mode
        3. 26.3.2.3. White balance
        4. 26.3.2.4. ISO
      3. 26.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 26.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 26.3.5. Getting creative
  32. 27. The United Nations
    1. 27.1. Why It's Worth A Photograph
    2. 27.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 27.2.1. First Avenue
      2. 27.2.2. The grounds
      3. 27.2.3. The General Assembly
    3. 27.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 27.3.1. Lenses
        1. 27.3.1.1. Filters
        2. 27.3.1.2. Extras
      2. 27.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 27.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 27.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 27.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 27.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 27.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 27.3.5. Getting creative
  33. 28. Wall Street
    1. 28.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph
    2. 28.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 28.2.1. Broadway and Wall Street
      2. 28.2.2. In front of the New York Stock Exchange
      3. 28.2.3. Federal Hall
      4. 28.2.4. Broadway and Bowling Green
    3. 28.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?
      1. 28.3.1. Equipment
        1. 28.3.1.1. Lenses
        2. 28.3.1.2. Filters
        3. 28.3.1.3. Extras
      2. 28.3.2. Camera settings
        1. 28.3.2.1. Exposure
        2. 28.3.2.2. White balance
        3. 28.3.2.3. ISO
      3. 28.3.3. Ideal time to shoot
      4. 28.3.4. Low-light and night options
      5. 28.3.5. Getting creative

Product information

  • Title: Photographing New York City: Digital Field Guide
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: May 2010
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470586853