Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset

On Saturday I thought it would be nice to finally walk the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset. One of the (only) good things about the sun setting so early now is that I get to see some really beautiful skies and they happen while I'm still out exploring. I've been on the bridge in all sorts of weather and seasons, but never at sunset (or sunrise). Saturday was one of the coldest bridge walks I've taken but I think my body is just not ready to accept that light-jacket-fall weather is really over.

The sunset was beautiful as always but I soon discovered that the bridge isn't really in a position that lines up well with the pretty skies. That isn't to say I had a bad time, however, because a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge never disappoints.

As it started to get dark I realized that I might be able to take some long exposure photos of the traffic lights below, so I spent most of my time playing with camera settings and trying to get a good shot. I'm pretty new to the whole "nice" camera thing, and while I shoot on manual I still feel like I have so much to learn. I also don't have a tripod or a remote, but I'm pretty happy with my first attempt at long exposures.

A lot of them were blurry because I had to set my camera on the wobbly bridge ledge, but it was super rewarding when I would manage to get a good shot. I stayed on the bridge shooting from different angles and different exposures until I felt like my fingers were going to snap off from the cold.

I am definitely in the market for a tripod now and I can't wait to go back (and to other bridges!) and hone my skills. I maintain that there is no better way to spend a few hours in New York than walking the Brooklyn Bridge—even if it is touristy and crowded—it will always be magic to me.