It's 5:30 in the morning and an hour before first light. Outside it's 15 degrees with a 5 mile per hour breeze, but I am determined to film the sun rising over Manhattan. The sun will not actually be visible for another hour, but it's the first light of dawn that often offers the most reward.
In the dead of winter, the sun rises a bit south of my location and it will appear to travel to the far north of the city as the summer months approach. For a few days in December and January, the sun will actually line up with the city grid and appear to rise directly across the river, burning up 42nd Street.
Often, the most interesting skies, briefly appear before the sun has even pierced the horizon. For a few minutes, shafts of red or golden light set fire to the pre-dawn clouds that have formed over the skyline and that's why I am standing here in the dark, fumbling with my camera, trying to resuscitate my numbing fingers to operate the camera.
Step 1. Be prepared! I bring along a small LED flashlight and use use a tripod that has an illuminated level. You also want a tripod with and legs that won't freeze up in the cold (like mine).
Step 2. Arrive early! I plan my location and get there early enough to park my car, find my position and set up the my gear.
Step 3. Dress warm! The wind chill from that 5 mph breeze coming off the river will be on my case in no time and there is nothing out here to block it.
With all of that done, this morning is offering a beautiful display of ruby red clouds, announcing the advancing storm that will arrive by noon. The camera is rolling and the spectacle last for less than three minutes. I realize that I have been humming Donovan's "Try for the Sun" for the last half hour and I look around to see if I am the only camera in sight. With the exception of two joggers and a street cleaner, I totally own the moment.
I admit to never tiring of the Manhattan skyline or the thrill of the sun reflecting off the glass towers across the river and finally breaking over a buildings. I will also admit that it is much easier thing to do in the summer, but then again, the skyline is never as clear or crisp as on a cold winter's morning. In either case, I feel privileged to be there.
Chuck Fishbein
