bridge-to-cherry-hill

When I first found my way to the Bow Bridge in central park, it was on

Friday, two days before the New York marathon. A security guard was

blocking access to the bridge and telling all approaching the bridge

was closed in preparation for the race. Fortunately for me the

security guard was a photography enthusiast so we naturally struck-up

a conversation. We talked photography - my equipment , why I was

lugging around a tripod and the like. I invited the guard to take a

few pictures. From that point on I think I had unfettered access to

this bridge. I even practiced my Spanish, telling others the bridge

was closed (cerrado!!). This image was taken 3 days later when the

weather was much more favorable, but incubated during my time at the

bridge with my new friend, the security guard/photographer. Comments

and critique appreciated.

Enjoyed the narrative, With the extra post processing this evokes the sense of a painting that should be hanging in someone`s gallery. Well done!

Ernest,

Thanks. I have only recently followed your work.  I guess if I had been following earlier I would have learned sooner how precious a tripod can be.

Tony,

Many thanks.  I am a frustrated painter and that seems to inform most of my photography.

There's a real painterly look to this shot Wayne and it works really well on this subject.

Great story to go with it, I've made loads of new friends in similar ways but they haven't paid of as well as yours did.

Jed

Jed,

Thanks.  Very encouraging and much appreciated.

Hi Wayne,

  I am with Tony on this needs to be hanging in a gallery.  Beautiful creative image.  Take care, Patsy

Dear Wayne, a very beautiful image and as others say ... it's an artwork. I am also a frustrated painter ; =) I have my own canvas but my technique with oils was not as good as I wanted and neither my previous charcoal strokes. So, I found photography, it gave me the base for a perfect image and then photographers also have many brushes. So now I'm no longer frustrated !.

In your image there's a mixture of reality and dream. It looks as if we can touch the marble balustrade, but ... leaves, vegetation around... it's not entirely real, it is a story in another time. There is magic. I love green tones and the use of lights. The bridge has an oriental air, I think ...

I encourage you to continue practicing your Spanish ... ¡No podéis pasar!, ¡está cerrado! :)

Congratulations, a great artwork. Kindest regards, Laura Marco.

Patsy,

Many thanks.  That park inspires me. I had one day alone in the park.  Much of the time I was truly in a dream.  Surprisingly even my second worst critic (my wife) suggested I print images from this time in the park to hang around the house.

Laura,

Thanks.  That is really encouraging.  So I am not alone in my frustration with satisfying myself with my painting.  I think I am learning to combine both worlds of painting and photography by using techniques that allow me to use brush strokes to define and refine an image.  Most every area of this image felt a brush stroke.

I can't decide which I like best, the image or the story of how you came to get access to take the shot, but after due consideration the image is a clear winner.  Well worth the time and trouble it took to get. The bridge as a subject and the tree's and flowers suggest oriental art to me, a most effective and appealing PP treatment. 

Best Regards 

Alf 

A beautiful subject and photographed with a nice perspective!! I like how you processed it also!! Very nice work!

Alf,

Thanks. Most true. Interacting with other photographers is exciting and stimulating.  My time with a fellow artist yielded insight into this bridge.  This security guard/photographer pointed out elements they found interesting and related understanding of that area particularly noting it was unfortunate people could not enjoy the the cherry hill area.  I think that may have inspired this perspective.

Warren,

Many thanks.  I admit, comments from artists like you are most encouraging.