Urban Hiking: A Photo Tour of The NYC Highline
The Highline is beautiful even in the winter.
It seems almost counter-intuitive–why search out a place to walk in a city where walking is the primary mode of transportation? Well, I’ll tell you why. Because the Highline–an urban-park-meets-boardwalk constructed on an old elevated train line in the west side of Manhattan–is beautiful. Ask any one of the dozens of camera-toting Highline walkers and they’ll tell you. And then they’ll show you photos like these:
My favorite mural, very near the 30th street entrance.
Light matters.
A variety of different architecture makes up the landscape.
Faded can be beautiful, too.
I love how the mirrors on this building blend with the sky.
While not art, even some of the billboards are amusing. I loved this one the most.
In case you ever want to spend a morning watching traffic from above.
Looking down.
Winter grasses and cityscape.
Walking through the Chelsea Market tunnel.
I walked from the (current) northernmost entrance at 30th street down to Chelsea Market on 16th. I did so on an unseasonably warm, sunny, winter weekend morning. And by unseasonably warm I mean ‘it was forty degrees’, which is not very warm at all in my book. Because I was walking south, the sun was in my eyes the entire time, and in order to get a good shot I had to turn around and shoot behind me. So if you’re out with the intention of taking photos (and you should be–it’s a great space) perhaps consider walking south-to-north.
The foliage on the Highline was intended to be year-round and low-maintenance. Thus, it is different–yet equally beautiful–in all seasons. If I lived closer, I’d happily return in each season to watch the changes unfold. In fact, I may need to do that anyway. After all, I live less than two hours by bus from one of the greatest cities in the world. I really should visit more often, don’t you think?
Have you been to the Highline? Are you a tourist or a local? Because I always wonder this when exploring urban green spaces–what is the ratio of visitors to locals. Chime in in the comments section below and help me figure this out!
Great photo essay! I am thinking about going back to school (local community college) to take some art classes (my sister and husbanc have almost talked me into it – Teri has been doing it for a while and thinks I should join her…). Your photos demonstrate several of the concepts I have been reading about for a class I might take- 2-D design. I just might have to ‘borrow’ some to show in r class (giving you credit of course)or ‘sample’ them for projects (IF this happens at all). You have a really good eye for composition!
I hope this snow storm that is supposed to hit the northeast this weekend doesn’t give you problems. Looks like you might only get the edge of it in your area. Stay warm and safe. Maybe you won’t have any more ‘snow days’ for school.
Thanks! For the record, I know NOTHING about photo composition! And I need a serious refresher course in the science of photography as well. I ordered this fabulous book to self-re-teach myself, but of course I haven’t even opened it yet (and it arrived a month ago; I bought it for myself for my birthday.) I think you should definitely take the class! I certainly would if I had time. We have a camera store here that’s pretty comprehensive and offers a whole school of photography. But it’s a six week course and the dates don’t work with the dates I’ll be traveling (not surprisingly!) Thus the book.
It looks like we will be fine through tomorrow, and I don’t really care if it snows tomorrow night. I’ve been gone for the past week (Miami was a lovely 81 degrees yesterday; I returned home to 18 degree weather) so I’d be fine with being snowed in.
Well- I’ve applied to to Gaston Community College. Now trying to track down 35 and 40 year old transcripts (I have a masters degree- but they want my high school and BA transcripts!!! I graduated high school in 1975 and college in 1979 and the college I went to is now closed 🙁 so I have some work ahead of me). I may be able to take the first drwasing class this summer- the design class may or may not be offered then, so I’ll probably take it in the fall. Of course all of this depends on everyone’s health. My mother-in-law is having heart problems again- she’s to have a carod-version next Tues. And we are waiting on pens and needles for Chuck’s most recent PSA results to see how his cancer is… I am finally back on a feet – at least a bit. I can drive and wear shoes, but and still not supposed to walk alot. My be dealing with swelling off and on for as much as 6 months or a year. But that’s still better than the pain I was in. Glad the training went well. If I had stayed in education I think I would have consdiered working for Discovery Ed. (they tried to get me , but I was so p—-ed at the world at that moment, I just plain retired.). If you want to read some stuff about 2-D design (it should work for photos as well as drawing, etc.) check out these websites
http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/default.htm
http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/default.htm
They were done by professors and inculde some lecutre/class notes and ‘assignments’ and examples of student work. Easy reading. I looked them up to try to get a head start on classes I might take. (typical over achiever- Right? Even for ‘fun’ classes I feel like I need to ‘be ready’)
Yay! That’s awesome that you are applying! Hooray!
Realized that I double posted one link and missed the other. Here’s the second one. The other one is a bit better.
http://www.asu.edu/cfa/wwwcourses/art/SOACore/2D_outline.pdf
I haven’t been there yet, but everyone I know who has is just as positive about it as you are, Tracy. It’s on my list for my next trip. PS I love that sign that says “Stop praying. God’s too busy to find you a parking spot.” LOL!
Great photos! And how lucky you are to live so close to NYC that you can be there in 2 hours. I’ve only been there once when I was a teenager. Would love to go back one day.
Thanks! And yes, I often take my proximity to New York for granted. Which I should not do. I will officially work on that!
I actually visited the Highline in September, I had wanted to see it for awhile but hadn’t gotten to NYC. I thought it was a great well designed space, and an interesting way to experience the city. It was pretty busy, but didn’t feel crowded, and I loved the local vendors near Chelsea market.
It’s nice to see your pictures of it, definitely looks different in the winter, but still pretty.
I agree on the ‘busy but not crowded’ sentiment. But, sadly, there were no vendors; I saw the closed stands, but they were, well, closed. For winter. I will definitely return in the spring.
I did like the different perspective. A lot. Clearly!