The George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Hudson River connecting New York City to Fort Lee, New Jersey. It is 4,750 feet long, with a main span of 3,500 feet. The bridge was designed by Othmar H. Ammann and construction began in 1927, opening in 1931 at a cost of $59 million. A second level was added in 1962, and there are walkways for pedestrians and bicyclists on both sides.
GWB Photography Information
George Washinton Bridge Photography Hot Spot. This is a great place to stop and take photos. Vibrant colors can sometimes appear during sunrise and sunset. This is an excellent location for winter when the leaves have fallen off the trees and photography locations are scarce. Bridge photography over water can always be dynamic. You can shoot long exposures here, and if you are lucky, some boats might go by.
GWB DAYTIME PHOTOGRAPHY
As you stand on the edge of the George Washington Bridge, the thick, concrete traffic barriers on either side of you make it clear that you cannot stray too far without falling into the watery abyss below. You scan the view before you: the Hudson River is a confluence of traffic, boats, and a vibrant cityscape. The towering skyscrapers of Manhattan loom on one side, while the green, rolling hills of New Jersey stand in stark contrast on the other.
As you stand beneath the towering structure of the George Washington Bridge, the towering pillars and cables dwarf you, making you feel small in comparison to the immense engineering feat above. The view is entirely different from being on the bridge deck, and it offers a unique perspective to photograph. With its long, expansive structure, the bridge spans this dynamic landscape, creating an unforgettable backdrop for your photographic endeavors.
LIGHTING
As you’re drawn to capture the vibrant backdrop, it’s crucial to grasp the impact of lighting conditions on your photographs. The abundance of natural light pouring through the city’s canyons of glass provides a perfect setting for your shots. However, it is key to understand the various lighting conditions and their effects on the final outcome. Early morning and late afternoon offer the softest, warmest light, casting long shadows and deep colors that can add a sense of dramatic atmosphere to your photos. These times are also ideal for capturing the bridge’s architectural features and low-angle sunlight, enhancing the texture and detail.
GWB NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographing the majestic George Washington Bridge at night can evoke an immensely gratifying sensation. The twinkling lights and towering structure against the inky black sky create a mesmerizing scene, beckoning for attention and admiration. In that moment, the photographer becomes one with the city that never sleeps, frozen in time but alive with energy. Move around, taking numerous shots to get a new perspective, revealing the beauty and grandeur of this iconic landmark. The park closes at dusk, but a road on the backside of the park goes up the hill and out to the highway, which stays open.
GWB LONG EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY
We can’t decide between night photography and long exposure photography, but long exposure at night combines both. You can create some truly dynamic and stunning photographs. Look for unique angles and different perspectives, such as the reflection in a puddle in a parking lot. Again, go at dusk, and you might get some good shots in, but they do close the park.
ROSS DOCK PARK
his is a familiar spot for us, one we frequent often. It’s a versatile destination that can be visited year-round. Our photos were taken in the midst of winter, capturing the stark beauty of the season. Ross Dock Park offers a serene escape from the bustling city life, located beneath the massive George Washington Bridge on the New Jersey side in Fort Lee. The park closes at dusk as evening falls, and visitors are promptly ushered out with gates closed and locked. But don’t panic like we did; there is a back road up the hill out of the park after they close the gates. We thought we were locked in.
The winding path to the park is over a mile long, making it a peaceful journey surrounded by nature. However, parking is limited along the main road leading to the park. From this vantage point, you can also capture stunning shots of the bridge from across the water in New York.
On our recent visit, temperatures dropped to just ten degrees Fahrenheit, dissuading us from venturing to the opposite side of the water. Instead, we focused on capturing images of ice floating in the river, seeking out unique and unconventional shots that set us apart from others. Though some may have photographed this location before, our perspective was fresh and new.
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING
A few birds fluttered by during our time there, but they were scarce. When visiting Ross Dock Park, be sure to bring your widest-angle lens, circular polarizing filters, ND filters, tripod, and shutter release. Use aperture priority mode to capture the maximum depth of field in your photos. If you need a refresher on this setting, check out our Aperture Priority photography techniques page.
Photographing moving waters with a long exposure will give you dynamic images. See our Waterfall Photography Simplified page for assistance setting up your camera for milky water shots. You must have a tripod and neutral-density filters for this.
KOREAN BBQ
After a day exploring Ross Dock Park, we stumbled upon a nearby Korean area with many barbecue options. While American restaurants may be scarce in this neighborhood, we enjoyed Korean cuisine and were pleasantly surprised. Our meal was entirely vegetable-based, offering a unique twist on traditional barbecuing. With food and photography combined, Ross Dock Park makes for an unforgettable day or night excursion!
WHEN TO GO
Any time of year. It gets a lot of human visitors, so midweek is the best and go off-season (October through April) to avoid humans.
LOCATION
Here is a link to the map that opens us to the bridge. If you are not from New Jersey or New York and are unfamiliar with the traffic at the George Washington Bridge, you should know that it is best to travel here on off-peak days and hours.
SOME PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS
Shutter Speed—Learn how to shoot in shutter priority, mainly for moving subjects, to avoid motion blur.
Aperture — Shooting in aperture priority allows you to focus on your depth of field. It is mainly used for still subjects.
ISO —This controls how much light is let into your camera when exposing your picture.
White Balance — This is your color temperature setting. Cloud, shade, sun, and custom settings are also available.
HOTELS
Hyatt Place Fort Lee / George Washington Bridge
2167 Route 4 East, Fort Lee, New Jersey, United States, 07024+1 201 849 5900
We do not go into NYC for any reason. Stay on the New Jersey side. Head north of the GWB, according to the crime map, is a much safer neighborhood than south of the GWB, where the map is red and marked F.
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AREA
INFORMATION
Entrance Fees: There is no entrance fee.
Ross Dock Park Area Information.
There is a parking fee from May through September CASH ONLY – $5.00 on weekdays and $10 on the weekends.
Ross Dock Picnic Area features picnic tables, some grills (visitors are permitted to bring their own), a large children’s playground, restrooms, water, and waste receptacles. It also offers access to fishing and crabbing, our trail system and Henry Hudson Drive, and a boat launching ramp for trailered boats under 24 feet and car-top boats (canoe and kayak) at Hazard’s Dock.
A refreshment stand, with drinks, snacks, ice cream, and picnic and barbecue supplies, is open on weekends in the summer.
Where is the George Washington Bridge?
Here is a link to the map that opens us to the bridge. If you are not from New Jersey or New York and you are not familiar with the traffic at the George Washington Bridge you should be aware that it is best to travel here on off-peak days and hours.
FOOD & DINING
Chart House
Great Food and a Great Photography Hot Spot
1700 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken, N.J.
Located right on the Hudson River and directly across from Manhattan, Chart House Weehawken at Lincoln Harbor offers gorgeous panoramic views of the glittering New York skyline – from the Empire State Building to Wall Street. An unforgettable seafood restaurant, Chart House thrills diners not only with its views and million-dollar remodel.
Step outside to do some incredible photography here too!!
WEATHER
What the weather is near the location.
Don’t forget that you can use a rain sleeve on your camera if it is raining. If it is bright and sunny, you want to use a low ISO such as 100.
If you are doing photography along with your ghost hunting on cloudy days, you can do running water or waterfall photography to avoid the glaring sun. You can also use an ND filter to get long exposure for dramatic effects, even in the sunshine. If you ghost hunt indoors in abandoned places, be careful.
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