The best angles for Lady Liberty

04/07/2018 « Back

If you haven't seen the Statue of Liberty you haven't been to New York! There is nothing that is more symbolic for the United States and New York than this giant statue that overlooks the skyline of Manhattan. Standing in the inlet to city means you have to take a boat to get some great photos of her, a helicopter ride is also an option of course but then you wouldn't get those great closeups.

As many other attractions in the United States, it sure feels like a tourist trap when going out by arranged sea vessels to see her close by. Standing in line for hours is not unusual if you haven't booked a departure time in advance for the Statue Cruises. Anyhow for getting those beautiful closeup shots, you have to go on this tour. I think you will get the best shots just walking in front of her on the Statue of Liberty grounds meaning you don't need to purchase the add-ons to the ticket if your focus is for the photography.

You have a great alternative or complement to the Statue Cruises though and that's the public Staten Island Ferry. This service runs around the clock to Staten Island from the south of Manhattan. The best of all, it's free of charge! This roundtrip takes approximately one hour but beware that you must disembark and then board the ferry again to get back to Manhattan. From the deck you will get a great view of the statue as well and even twice. The photographs will be more from a distance but still the ferry passing by quite close depending on the traffic situation.

My photos below is shot during a stay in May during two different occasions, as you can see the weather in the New York can vary a lot and really fast. From a completely grey and overcast day to clear blue skies in minutes, so you may get some interesting shots regardless of the weather I will say.

Hope this blog post and photos will give some advice how to best shoot this icon of New York and the United States!