The Big Apple

Black And White Photography, Photography
Top of the Rock view of Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan
Fuji X100T, fixed 23mm f/2.0 lens, 1/125 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 2000

A hot, humid, hazy mid-afternoon in New York City, and it was the final day of four that I spent last week in this wonderful metropolis. Shortened tourist lines found me 70 stories above street level atop the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, the 10th tallest building in NYC. The Top of the Rock Observation Deck offers spectacular views of Manhattan, which include the Empire State Building (a big selling point for spending $24 to ride the elevator here as opposed to visiting the top of the ESB). Plus the 70th floor deck is completely open-air at the top, with no security fences to shoot through. It’s a great place to take photos.

Despite the oppressive haze, Lower Manhattan was still a wonderful sight. In the distance stands Freedom Tower, at 1776 feet tall, and though barely visible this day, just off to its right on the tip of Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay, Lady Liberty extends her welcome.

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25 thoughts on “The Big Apple”

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    1. Stacy P. Fischer's avatar

      Patti, I don’t know how I missed your comment! Thanks so much. Someday, I may just have to share the original (perhaps on ABFriday) as a lesson when black and white conversion can save a photo 😉

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    1. Stacy P. Fischer's avatar

      Thanks so much, Mike! I was really pleased with how much detail I was able to recapture from the original very hazy, very grayish-blue image by processing it as a black and white. There was no saving the image in color. Wonderful, amazing city to photograph!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Kelly Made It's avatar

    It looks like a cool place to see New York from Stacy. The haze gives it all an other-worldy vibe. Like maybe not New York but more like Gotham City. Holy Fuji Chromatic Batgirl, that’s a cool shot. xk

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  10. Joe's avatar

    This image is great Stacy 🙂 I am so used to seeing the city from the vantage point of the Empire State Building or even the old WTC that this image is refreshing. The next time you are in town I will have to make the trip to the Top Of The Rock with you. BTW isn’t the city a sight to behold at night ? Great work.

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    1. Stacy P. Fischer's avatar

      You’re on, Joe! I want to see Central Park in the fall from this vantage point – beautiful 🙂 And go at night too! I still haven’t looked at my night pictures from the ESB – I took tons of them so hopefully one of them turned out. If not, I can still picture the amazing vista of all the lights. It is magical!

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  11. Emilio Pasquale Photography's avatar

    Well, I’m with Omar. I would call this shot iconographic. I think I might have just made that word up, but you know what I mean! Just an all around beautiful shot!

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  12. Omar Upegui R.'s avatar

    I’ve visited New York City on several occasions, but I don’t recall having seen the spirit of the metropolis as you have depicted in this eye-popping black and white photograph. It is absolutely beyond words to describe the beauty of the Big Apple.

    Thank you for sharing your exquisite work.

    Omar.-

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