November 2021 - Beautiful Bow Bridge
If you have your Picture This Photography NYC Calendar this is your November 2021 image “Beautiful Bow Bridge”
This image was taken on Thanksgiving a few years ago and remains a classic favourite image. As time goes by I have captured technically better images of this scene, more colourful photos and close up & detailed images however I do revert back to this photo when in doubt.
Firstly, I love that there is foreground interest and it is so colourful, I find the image to be balanced where the tree branches til the right side of the frame without distraction, finally the reflection of the bridge & buildings give a central viewpoint this drawing the eye around the photo for the viewer to feel part of the scene. I even like the deliberate negative space where the sky is blown out to prevent it being overly fussy and compliment the crisp fall day.
Taken from Central Park Driveway across The Lake it is a lovely viewpoint and one of my favourite walks from Ladies Pavillon to Bethesda Terrace via Cherry Hill Fountain and of course up close to Bow Bridge.
Wikipedia tells is Bow Bridge is a cast iron bridge located in Central Park, New York City, crossing over the Lake and used as a pedestrian walkway.
It is decorated with an interlocking circles banister, with eight planting urns on top of decorative bas-reliefpanels. Intricate arabesque elements and volutes can be seen underneath the span arch. Its 87-foot-long span is the longest of the park's bridges, though the balustrade is 142 feet long. While other bridges in Central Park are inconspicuous, the Bow Bridge is made to stand out from its surroundings. Bow Bridge is also the only one of Central Park's seven ornamental iron bridges that does not traverse a bridle path.
The bridge was designed by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, and completed in 1862. It was built by the Bronx-based iron foundry Janes, Kirtland & Co. The bridge was restored in 1974
If you find yourself on the west side of Central Park be sure to check out "Beautiful Bow Bridge" no matter what the season or weather, you will never be disappointed.