New Jersey State House 1, a photo from New Jersey, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Another entry here in my attempt to photograph all 50 state capitol buildings; this particular trip brought me to Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton sits across the Delaware River from the state of Pennsylvania, making this capitol building the only one visible with the naked eye from another state (as far as I know, anyway). In fact, though the photo info reads New Jersey here, I was technically standing in Morrisville, Pennsylvania when I took this sunset shot.

The New Jersey State House is one of the country's oldest; in fact it claims to be the second oldest in continuous use in the country (after that of Annapolis, Maryland). It has been modified and expanded several times since its original construction, however. Its biggest renovation came after a fire swept over it in 1885; much of the building now dates from that time.

This was actually one of the last I took in Trenton; I'd gotten what I thought were a few good shots of the capitol across the river at sunset, and wanted to get on the road as I had a long drive back to Boston that night; suddenly, though, I heard loud noises from down the river. When I looked, I saw a large flock of gulls taking off after some kind of disturbance and heading toward my position; knowing that the gulls perched on rocks where I stood would join them, I got the camera set up again quickly and got several shots of the scene with a flock of birds flying overhead.

Larger version on Flickr, here.
New Jersey State House set on Flickr, here.

worldcitizen, bbarna, Sonata11, krzychu30, jhm, kasianowak, Noel_Byrne, adores, Miguel82 has marked this note useful

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worldcitizen (4852) 2013-01-12 12:39

Hello Andrew,
I like this photo; there is so much to see in addition to the NJ capitol building. Having all of those geese over the water and in the sky is lovely. I like the blue color of the river, too. It's too bad there is a lot of drab architecture surrounding the capitol and its beautiful gold dome, but that's reality. :-)

Sonata11 (28331) 2013-01-12 13:34

Hello Andrew,
very beautiful composition of nature and impressive architecture with so many birds over this place wonderfully executed. Beautiful colors, sharpness, clarity, fantastic POV and DOF as well. Great job. Thanks for sharing.
Warm regards and have a great WE,
Barbara

bbarna (217) 2013-01-12 13:44

Hello Andrew,

Very interesting shot, the birds make it extra special. I am amazed of the depth of field of your lens, the birds near you just as sharp as the capital miles away. I have few pictures from Trenton in 1998, but unfortunately I missed the gold dome.
Regards,
Barnabas

krzychu30 (8873) 2013-01-12 20:55

Hello Andrew,
these birds caught in flight look really great.They help to enliven the scene and provide nice "background" for the State House with its impressive golden dome.Brilliant composition!

Have a good sunday
Krzysztof

emka (58140) 2013-01-12 23:43

Hi Andrew,

What is more important, the place you are standing or the place shown?? New Jersey or Pennsylvania? Nice view with so much birds around. Again golden dome of the State capitol, this one small and slender. Nice next one in your collection.
have a nice Sunday

Malgo

jhm (122444) 2013-01-13 3:27

Hello Andrew,

This is very spectacular with the much seagulls above the river, this is exactly a big colony.
I like the building in background an care for a nice architecture image.
Perspective and depth are absolutely nice done.
Composition and presentation make these picture attractive.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John.

kasianowak (2235) 2013-01-13 6:07

Hi Andrew
Great colours light and composition! The birds add interst. You created a trully unique image.
Best wishes
Kasia

Noel_Byrne (7352) 2013-01-13 6:11

Hi Andrew
There a lot of great elements to yOur shot, the dome in particular with the soft golden light is really beautiful. I do quite like the large square building beside it too, it's a very interesting design of building. The flock of birds are a rally great addition. It's such a gr eat feeling at the end of a good as shooting to get a bonu of a shot like this.
All this best
Noel

holmertz (26932) 2013-01-13 10:06

Hello Andrew,
The title may be New Jersey State House, and of course that's what the picture shows, but really this is all about seagulls, a river and a few rocks. It's about good afternoon light and a nice background too. A very nice picture in any case.
Regards,
Gert

dkmurphys (36801) 2013-01-13 11:45

Hi Andrew,
Very attractive composition with the wild nature in the foreground. Well taken scene, have a good week.

Daniel

GREGG (8243) 2013-01-13 12:04

Hello Andrew,
nicely presented interesting architecture of Trenton,
great job with a beautiful POV, colors and sharpness,
regards,
Greg

marabu61 (3914) 2013-01-14 7:31

Hello Andrew
Still not done with your 50 state houses :-)
this one is a bit messy and one has to really have a good look to find the state house. I suppose it is the one with the golden dome?
But interesting composition with all thes birds fluttering through the frame.
have a good day
Daniel

mesutilgim (67960) 2013-01-15 14:32

Hello Andrew,
Nice capture from New Jersey.
Nice the myrriades of white seagullsi, dotting the scenery.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

adores (28210) 2013-01-17 17:01

Hi Andrew!
Seems you were really lucky because the soft light was good and the pov also, but the gulls really made the difference and gave you the chance to get a good and different shot!
You're idea seems also original (at least to me)! Getting all the 50 capitols must take you some time, but I'm sure it must be worth it!

Miguel82 (7790) 2013-02-11 5:46

Acl,
A really beautiful shot, especially the bird flight you manage to catch the action very well
Sharp shot, fine colors, exposition and contrast are also great
Best regards