sentiently over
Wednesdays just drizzle.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As mentioned yesterday, these photos are criminal in nature. Post 911, a lot of NYC became “no photo” zones. The press photographer’s association actually sued the MTA to guarantee the right to take photos in the subways, and as far as the East River and Hudson bridges go – they’re largely owned by three entities – Port Authority, NYC DOT, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels. PA and DOT were out of the banning photography business by 2008 or so, although you still encounter the odd Cop or Security Guard who’d aggressively inquire “why are you taking pictures”?
MTA, on the other hand never explicitly banned photography, instead they invoke some obscure “NY State Authorities” rule which offers the opinion that facilities like the Triborough Bridge are a) private property, b) that whether you’re on the thing or even around them you must follow all instructions on posted signs – even if the sign is missing or you’re not on “their” property. Technically speaking, everybody who’s taken a photo in Astoria Park of a kid’s birthday party which the Triborough is in the background of is a potential member of Al Quaeda to MTA. Remember them? Haven’t thought about Al Quaeda in years. Who’s the enemy nowadays?
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Now, to my point of view, if the Government – and specifically the political patronage mill section of it called the MTA – doesn’t want you to take pictures of something, that’s precisely what you should be taking pictures of. To wit, you’re looking at the unlit and unmarked pedestrian/bike path of the Triborough above.
In some ways I was kind of hoping a cop would show up and ticket me for this, as I’d make a whole megillah out of it. Glad one didn’t, but if photography is such a burning security issue here where were the MTA cops? One way or another, I’m going to start talking about this with the people who sign MTA’s checks soon.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There isn’t a splash of glitter paint anywhere near the unlit stairwells which just appear in front of you in the dark. The path is set in such a manner that the headlights of oncoming bridge traffic are at eye level while you’re walking in deep shadow. There’s zero path lighting – a string of xmas LED lights secured to the deck would vastly improve things. Then there’s the section over the East River where the “Suicide Fencing” stops and you’re suddenly experiencing a waist high rail as the only thing standing between you and a 105 foot drop to the waters of Hells Gate…
Yeah, I bet there’s a bunch of reason they don’t want cameras up here.
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The Newtown Pentacle 
Does the MTA photographic restrictions also apply to reporters with visible official credentials?
Louis Kleinman
April 14, 2021 at 1:55 pm
The call of the void is real. I walked over this in the daytime one time out of boredom, and found myself inexplicably almost near-paralyzed at the section you spoke of. If there weren’t other people heading towards me from the other side, I’d’ve been able to do more than inch along pathetically. I partly got over my fear of heights by continuous bridge walking but my mind still lurches in odd and disturbing ways whenever I’ve near a precipitous, barrier-free edge…
Tommy Efreeti
April 14, 2021 at 2:31 pm
[…] nice shots of the Kosciuszcko Bridge in “whirling fancy,” and in “assignable colour,” “sentiently over,” and for “more hexagonal” I took a night time walk over the section of the Triborough Bridge […]
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