Lincoln Center, Coney Island, the South Street Seaport, the East and Hudson Rivers, and Yankee Stadium are among the most photogenic places in NYC, whether you’re out there with an iPhone or mirrorless camera.
For a long time, I have been thinking about a shoot at Lincoln Center. It is one of my favorite places. Many years ago, I did a shoot. But didn’t think it through enough. This time, I used AI to help me. I took all the shots myself with my Nikon mirrorless camera and did all the edits using Adobe’s suite.
AI Served as the Aide. Not the Photographer or Creator.
I did not create any of the shots with AI. But AI played a role. I told it what I was hoping to accomplish. It made lens recommendations. I have all the lenses it recommended. But to save myself from back pain and be able to walk freely without feeling weighed down, I chose a Nikkor 14-24 F2.8. These days when I go out, I rarely bring more than one lens. I still have visions of a vacation my mom and I took, and I brought all of them. I loved switching from wide to zoom to the “nifty 50 (50 mm f/2.8)”. But I spent too much time switching lenses and packing and repacking them.
The night before I went to Lincoln Center, I reviewed what AI told me. I know the layout inside out. I am there regularly for all it offers. Before the shoot, I renewed my NY Philharmonic subscription and bought theater and opera tickets. I can’t wait to see, once again, “Tosca.”
AI’s Advice
AI measured things out for me. In other words, it told me exactly where to stand and at what level to bend my knees or to stand on a bench to shoot the fountain. (Side note: I love that fountain. I so want to jump in. That’s much cooler than jumping into the Washington Square Park fountain. That happens daily. I wish Lincoln Center would take donations and let me jump in. Doubtful. That place is too classy. I hope it always stays that way.”
Back to AI. It told me where to stand near the Metropolitan Opera House to capture this majestic building best. Same with David Geffen Hall, the David Koch Theater, Beaumont/Newhouse Theater, and the library. It was also helpful for where to stand to capture a landscape shot of Geffen Hall, the fountain, and the Koch Theater.
I spent under an hour shooting and captured what I wanted. AI served as a great coach or aide. I look forward to using it on my next shoot.
Mitchell's thoughts, photos, etc. 