Outdoor/Travel

When I started my Bridge Project back in 1993 I had no idea how I would really begin to climb and photograph the 15-20 New York City bridges that I would need to complete it. It all started when I saw some fantastic images that John Sexton and Ron Wisner took from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. I said to myself, where are there huge and more bridges than anywhere in the country? Only a few miles away from my home in New Jersey in New York City. So, after many phone calls, letters, and meetings with people from all three bridge authorities, I began working on this project 13 years ago.

Top Of GWB

Me, on top of the George Washington Bridge. All Photos © 2007, Dave Frieder, All Rights Reserved

I have always loved architecture, and to me bridges are the pinnacles of civil engineering. I first started photographing the bridges with a 4x5 monorail camera but I realized that it would not work if I were photographing on the main cables and eyebars of the bridges. Since I have absolutely no fear of heights my visualization would not be hindered. I did use my Leica R5 for some close-up work, taking advantage of the great depth of field, but I needed a larger format for bigger enlargements. I then decided to use my Hasselblad 2000 FCW. With the 40mm Distagon lens it became my workhorse camera. It provided the larger negative but I had to contend with bridge vibration and wind.

Then I saw an ad for a camera gyroscope. I figured that would correct my camera shake problem. After renting the Ken-Lab KS-8 Gyro, I found that it worked perfectly and I purchased it. For my ground views of the bridges I used large format cameras, such as 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10. As I worked I realized that every camera is a tool, and I used each format just as a mechanic uses different size wrenches to do his or her work.

George Washington Bridge

Upward view of New York Tower from roadway.

After I had the proper equipment I had to battle other problems. For all the bridges I needed insurance to protect myself and the bridge authorities from any dangerous situations, like dropping a lens or getting myself hurt. I take safety very seriously and I have never had any problems. I also needed a permit in order to access city-owned bridges. For the Port Authority bridges, TBTA (Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority) bridges, and the Hell Gate Bridge, owned by Amtrak, all that was required was insurance.

I always had an escort or two to accompany me up on the cables or towers. The two most difficult bridges to climb were the Queensborough Bridge and the Hell Gate Bridge. Incidentally, both bridges were designed and built by the great engineer Gustav Lindenthal. Other problems I encountered were large ships or boats, debris, and other foreign matter in the field of view. The most interesting encounter I had was being attacked by peregrine falcons. Many of them build nests on top of the bridges and they are very territorial.

Henry Hudson Bridge

Full view of bridge from the northern end of Manhattan.

When I started this project almost all the bridge authorities decided to upgrade and repair the entire New York City infrastructure. This meant that a lot of bridges were covered in canvas and scaffolding for structural repairs and repainting. I always try to show the bridges in pristine condition and those conditions proved quite difficult.