Two NYC Icons in One Shot
Harbor View Memorial Park, Bayonne, NJ
TWO NYC ICONS IN ONE SHOT
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TWO NYC ICONS IN ONE SHOT
Capture Two NYC Icons in One Unique Shot — The Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building.
Although the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building are more than 5 miles apart, it is possible to photograph both iconic landmarks in a single frame. By finding the right vantage point, you can align these symbols of American history and architectural brilliance. This offers photographers a unique opportunity to capture the essence of New York City's skyline through a distinct composition.
Images and location summary by Juan Melli
Annual Subscription
Lifetime Membership
DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH TWO NYC ICONS IN ONE SHOT SUMMARY
There are at least two interesting compositions to consider, one in landscape orientation and the other in portrait orientation.
For a landscape shot, you can take a picture from Harbor View Park. Position the Statue of Liberty to the left, so it appears to be facing toward the Empire State Building. To create a clearer composition, try to keep some separation between the Statue of Liberty and the buildings behind it. Since you will be relatively far from your subjects, even small adjustments in your perspective can significantly impact the composition.
For a portrait orientation shot, I recommend driving to the end of the pier to the north, which is about a 4-mile, 12-minute drive. Take the photo from the area near where the road bends at the end. Position the Statue of Liberty to the right of the Empire State Building, framed within a gap in the skyline. This particular perspective is not possible from Harbor View Park due to the alignment of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
As the Statue of Liberty is located in New York Harbor, you may encounter cruise ships, passenger ferries, and other vessels. These can either be distracting or can add a sense of activity to the scene.
The shot requires longer lenses, around 500mm to 600mm. The features you want to capture are very far away - the Statue of Liberty is located 2 miles away, and the Empire State Building is 7 miles away. Using longer lenses creates a compression effect that makes these two landmarks appear closer together and of similar size.
If you use a lens with a focal length of about 250mm, you can capture wider skyline views that include One World Trade Center. However, the imposing scale of the surrounding buildings may cause the Statue of Liberty to lose its prominence in the composition.
The above image was taken at 535 mm.
Sea Level Ft. Elevation
Other Resources Available with Membership
KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
