Home to vibrant towns, multicultural landscapes, and rich history, New Jersey is more than a transit point between New York and Philadelphia. The Garden State is the place for a travel photographer. Whether you are exploring quaint little towns or urban cityscapes, these seven tips will put you in a great place to catch the beauty of New Jersey like a pro.
Plan Around the Golden Hours
Timing is everything in photography. The golden hours, the short period just after sunrise or just before sunset, will give your subject a lovely, soft, warm glow, minimizing any harsh shadows.
The Barnegat Lighthouse is a fantastic place to photograph, especially in the morning light, as its antique style glows warmly under the rising sun. Featuring Cape May’s Victorian architecture, sunset is equally impressive, with the sky’s brilliant colors as a backdrop.
For a cityscape with a calm feel, visit Liberty State Park for the sunrise and photograph the skyline of Manhattan bathed in golden hues. If early always fails you, the blue hour, just past sunset or before sunrise, presents tranquil, dreamy feelings best suited for reflections on the water or urban landscapes.
Editing can take your photo to another level. Contrast,saturation and using a background eraser could be added to bring out the best in your pics.The idea is to improve but not overpower the natural beauty that you’ve caught.
Explore Diverse Landscapes
One of the most significant advantages of New Jersey is its scenery diversity. From dramatic cliffs to soothing forests, there is a landscape for every photographic vision.
The Palisades offer naturally towering cliffs and expansive views of the Hudson River. Nature lovers will find bliss in the ever-so-gorgeous Pine Barrens, where one can enjoy some rare flora and fauna along the trails. Mixing and matching these locations will ensure you get a diverse photo collection from the state’s beauty.
Incorporate Leading Lines
Leading lines in the photograph are a widely used compositional tool to draw attention with great depth and dynamism to a particular area within the frame.
A multitude of opportunities lie in taking advantage of the leading lines in New Jersey. The wooden planks of the Asbury Park Boardwalk naturally lead audiences toward iconic landmarks such as the Casino or Convention Hall.
The old architecture of Princeton University, with many symmetrical walkways and arches, provides other excellent examples of the leading line technique to enhance the image’s impact.
Don’t Overlook Seasonal Beauty
With its pronounced seasonal changes, the Garden State offers a year-round opportunity for photographers to capture its beauty. In the spring, Branch Brook Park in Newark becomes a cherry blossom tree haven, thus establishing it as a perfect spot for flower-loving photographers.
Autumn cloaks the state in blazing reds and oranges, particularly in the Delaware Water Gap and the Sourland Mountain Preserve. The frigid winter idealizes tranquil compositions of snowy landscapes in the Pine Barrens or the festive decorations and wintry charm of Cape May.
Adapting your photography to the season’s nuances will bring great diversity and richness to your travel collection.
Add a Human Element
Having a human element always adds scale, relatability, and a little bit of a narrative. Images of families flying kites on Cape May beaches or couples strolling through the charming streets of Lambertville provide warmth and emotion to your travel photography.
At Liberty Science Center, photographing visitors interacting with the exhibition while placed against the stunning, delicate Manhattan skyline creates a fascinating juxtaposition between human curiosity and urban reality.
While candid shots of people make their surroundings seem more accessible and tell a story, landscapes become more than just a collection of images, they turn to a vivid story.
Pay Attention to Reflections
Reflections create symmetry, depth, and tranquility in your images, and New Jersey has many reflective surfaces to consider. The shimmering reflection of the Manhattan skyline, whereby Jersey City or Hoboken gets a breathtaking view of the Hudson River, is well worth mentioning.
Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton has modern installations amidst ponds and water features offering creative opportunities for reflection play. Try out various angles and frames to get maximum use out of these reflective surfaces, providing a touch of flair to your travel photos.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
Weather can dictate a mood and a feeling in your images, and New Jersey’s constantly changing weather patterns. Dark clouds hovering above the Sandy Hook lighthouse would make for exciting and moody compositions, while the fog settling in the Pine Barrens gives the woods a strange, other-worldly feel.
Bright days reflect the casual gaiety of an Atlantic City boardwalk, while the evening rain leaves its terrific reflections narrow to capture a frame. Always check the forecast before you go out, but welcoming unexpected weather often leads to unique and unforgettable shots.
Endnote
The beauty of New Jersey lies in its infinite versatility. Everything from thriving boardwalks to glum forests is inspiring to photographers out there.
With this knowledge in mind, you will equip yourself for exploration and catch its endless beauty, creating an astonishing collection of travel photos that tell the story of the Garden State. So grab your camera, make arrangements for your trip, and allow the landscapes of New Jersey to unfold.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.