Back to DUMBO
I’m over a year late with this post since we shot this in March 2023. My good friend Larry (@larryguidice) needed some promotional shots for his music (solo.to/sixxofficial). He wanted a NYC vibe and what better place than DUMBO? Cityscape, cobblestone streets, various style buildings… it was the perfect match.
For this shoot, I used my favorite 50mm (Sigma 50mm ART) and my favorite telephoto (Canon 135mm).
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
The overcast day provided excellent lighting for photography. We began our session by the waterfront, capturing the cityscape and the Manhattan Bridge as a backdrop.
Using the Sigma 50mm lens, we took several shots near the water's edge. Fortunately, the foot traffic was minimal, allowing us to have the area largely to ourselves.
Continuing on, we navigated to a set of scaffolding, a true New York City hallmark for those who haven't been. An NYC photoshoot just isn't complete without it. Larry (@larryguidice) struck his finest 'Crouching Tiger' stance before we proceeded to the streets and another area by the waterfront.
After taking a few shots, we headed up the street and eventually returned to the waterfront, albeit a different section this time.
Canon EF 135mm f/2L with natural lighting
This time, I wanted the Brooklyn Bridge as the backdrop. There's an excellent location on Plymouth Street that offers a stunning view of the bridge, complete with a cobblestone street. Many streets here still boast cobblestones, making them perfect for photography. Following the street shots, we returned to the waterfront, choosing a different spot to keep the Brooklyn Bridge in view.
Canon EF 135mm f/2L with natural lighting
Canon EF 135mm f/2L with natural lighting
Located above Cecconi's is a publicly accessible rooftop approximately five floors high, offering stunning city views. We ventured up and managed to take some photographs, despite the area being quite crowded.
Snapping a quick elevator photo of Larry (@larryguidice) during the ascent, which was quite cramped for the 50mm lens, we stepped out onto a bustling rooftop. Despite the crowd, we managed to capture a few shots, albeit not as I had envisioned. Nevertheless, we made do with the situation and took some pictures before descending back to ground level.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
Descending the stairs, I asked Larry (@larryguidice) to sit for a few photographs before we returned to the street. We ventured to the side streets seeking a unique perspective. Encountering a graffiti-adorned shuttered gate, we seized the opportunity and took a series of shots.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
As we continued our walk, we captured some street-crossing shots beneath the Manhattan Bridge.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with restaurant lighting
Switching between the 50mm and 135mm lenses, I sought to capture a variety of angles that encompassed both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, utilizing the Citibike and construction cones as elements of composition.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
Canon EF 135mm f/2L with natural lighting
As we neared the end of the photo shoot, we captured some shots against a rusted building wall and the staircase by a backdoor entrance.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART with natural lighting
And that is the end of our DUMBO shoot. Don’t forget to follow Larry Guidice (@larryguidice) on Instagram as well as checking out his music (solo.to/sixxofficial) and you should already be following me (@danny_hults).