Happy Monday everyone - As a photographer, it is critical to understand how the light is going to play off of your subject. This is even more critical when you are working with simple subjects as the light you use can make or break the photograph. The subject of today's image is an old dock crane stationed in the park near the Ikea in Red Hook. It's both iconic and mundane as the these kinds of cranes serve both as a reminder of the history of the neighborhood but also as the constant visual of the neighborhood. So, how do you make a photograph of a subject that is easily observed (and thus presumably photographed often). The answer is - choose the correct light. This photograph was taken at sunset thereby providing the maximum contrast and the most dynamic light. A simple framing of the crane house while omitting both the legs and the upper portion of the crane sells the idea of the subject while maintaining focus on the real subject, which is the crane house. I had taken several photos of this crane over my years in Red Hook, but this is by far my favorite based solely on the light used to define the subject. Timing is everything in photography. Enjoy your Monday -
Red Hook, Brooklyn - The Crane