Manhattan Skyline

While visiting New York, I knew I wanted to get a shot of the Statue of Liberty, but I wanted it to be special. Not just the same old shot from her feet or a blurry picture from a boat. This might be my only trip to New York in a long time, so I had to make it count. I turned to my trusty Google Earth app and looked over at Jersey City to see if there were any good perspectives there. Of course there was Liberty Park, but from that angle I would be looking at her back side. Not the best photo opp, so I looked further south along the shore line and saw that there were a couple of strips of land that offered a superb view. My one concern is that the land appeared to be private property. felt I had nothing to lose so I called the company that was closest to the property and left a message with their administrative assistant. Their vice president, Kevin, was a very cool guy and called me back within just a few minutes. He kindly agreed to allow me access to their property if I needed it but suggested I also call the port authority because, technically, they owned the shoreline. Steve also gave me the phone number to his chief of safety and security, George, so I could call him to explain my plans. I called the port authority and left a message there. I did not anticipate that he would call me back so soon, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear my phone ring within 10 minutes. He then recommended that I call their head of media relations. At this point, I was a little worried that I was getting the run around, but still had nothing to lose by making another call, so, I called Kevin’s office. His assistant took a message and I was thinking to myself, this is never going to happen. 5 minutes later, RING! His assistant called me back relating his acceptance of my plans. After that third call, I was not only excited that I would have the opportunity to get the shot I wanted, but I was also so very impressed with those fine people who had the courtesy to return my calls and be so supportive in such a short period of time. My faith in humanity, restored. Around this time, I was in Central Park, so I took the subway down to Chambers St and walked over to the World Financial Center so I could catch the ferry. While on the ferry, I called George on the way and let him know I would be arriving soon and after a short little ferry ride. I arrived at Liberty State Park. I took the time to catch a few shots of the skyline as the sun was setting and then I called an Uber to take me out to this dark and desolate little strip of land so far from home. When we arrived, it was dark and I was admittedly a little nervous about being all alone in Jersey City along the shore’s edge far from the comfort of the city lights and crowds. To one side of me, there was a chain link fence with razor wire along the top and on the other side, that beautiful skyline. There it was in front of us, I could see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower AND the Brooklyn Bridge. All in one shot! I mustered up my courage, stepped out of Uber ride and bid him adieu. Now alone, I made my way further into the dark following the water until I found the spot. I set up my gear and after an hour of sitting in the dark and freezing cold, I got my shot. THE shot.