Behind The Scenes: Platypod Ultra and the Top of the Rock

For my birthday, to celebrate myself indulging on my interest and passion of photography at my own pace, I went on a NYC photo walk. Visiting NYC was not only a photo excursion, but more of a way to celebrate my birthday in one of my favorite cities in the world. 

Crowded locations often prohibit tripods for several reasons. The Rockefeller Center Top of the Rock observation deck is no exception. On this photo walk I took with me the old trusty Platypod Ultra since I know tripods are not allowed at Top of the Rock. 

This was one of those rare occasions where I was able to remember to take a couple of "behind the scene" images. The only difference is that this time I used a smartphone to do it. I hate to admit, but I was in the group of people who always denigrated smartphones as a tool to take photos. That way of thinking changed for me that day. 

On my way to the exit elevator, I took four or five pictures handheld using my cell phone. The images were captured through glass windows. Glass can be one of the hardest things to take photos through. Out of those images, I blended three pictures and created a panorama image of NYC. Some of these smartphone images can rival those taken by my digital Nikon DSLR. 

The moral of the story is, don't knock it until you've tried it. Let me humbly say that I learned a valuable lesson.

No Tripods Allowed

One of the best gadgets in my photography toolbox for my photo-walks is something called a Platypod. It is the world's most compact tripod base.

Years ago, I remember traveling to Washington DC to photograph the Capitol Building at sunset. I was shocked when a security officer informed me that tripods are banned. I also encounter the same situation on top of the Rockefeller Center observatory in NYC. 

Even though it is a hassle, I used to carry my tripod on my motorcycle rides all the time. Now I use a Platypod. In my opinion, Platypod is a game changer for travel photography. No need to carry heavy tripods. It is all about traveling light and having fun. Check it out, it is a great tool. 

And The Moral of the Story Is ....

I hate to admit, but I am in the group of people who always denigrated cell phones as a tool to take photos. Until yesterday.

Visiting NYC was not a photo excursion, but more of a way to celebrate my birthday in one of my favorite cities in the world. The top picture was taken using my cell phone at the top observatory of the Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock). 

As has always been the case when I visit this location, most of my Nikon DSLR pictures were unusable. On my way to the exit elevator, I took four or five pictures handheld using my cell phone. The images were captured through glass windows. Glass can be one of the hardest things to take photos through.

Out of those images, I blended three pictures and created a panorama image of NYC. These cell phone images look 110% better than those taken by my digital Nikon DSLR. 

The moral of the story is, don't knock it until you've tried it. Let me humbly say that I I have learned a valuable lesson.

Behind the Scenes : New York City Skyline

Are you afraid of heights? To be honest, I am. It feels like I am having a panic attack when I look down from the top of a building, the same fear I feel when I take a plane or ride my motorcycle over a bridge.

The first time I visited the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, didn't realize the elevator floor is made out of glass panels. Once we reached the CN Tower top floor observation deck I almost had a heart attack when I realized the observation deck floor is also a glass floor. I was so scared that I hugged the wall near the entrance and waited for the next elevator to take me down.

For a while now, I have been thinking of walking the Manhattan Bridge pathway to take a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge and NYC skyline from above. Yesterday, it took a lot of courage for me to walk on the Manhattan Bridge for the first time; I put earplugs on to reduce car and subway train noise. Luckily there are strategically placed holes in the chain-link fence along the pedestrian path, so it is easier to photograph one of most amazing skylines in the world.

The bridge gives an awesome perspective of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan. I like this image so much I am about to print a 20" x 30" enlarged poster, and hang it in my living room. I spent about one hour shooting the spectacular view, and soaking up the sun on this beautiful day.

Afterwards, I went to the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center, the iconic NYC historic landmark in the heart of midtown Manhattan. My goal was to get a good picture of the Empire State Building and capture the One World Trade Center and downtown Manhattan in the background.

To avoid the large crowds I purchased online tickets in advance for early morning. Top of the Rock opens at 8:00 am; at 8:30 am, it was already crowded. As always, a good rule of thumb is to research the rules and regulations on photography equipment before you get to your location. Knowing in advance that they don't allow tripods up there, I brought with me my Platypod Ultra.

A group of security guards were standing next to me chit chatting, didn't pay attention to what I was doing. I used the concrete ledge with the cable release and a camera wrist strap and took lots of pictures. As a first time Platypod user, it passed the test with flying colors.

At the end of the day, I was able to accomplish what I set out to do.