Read and be inspired, a photo from New York, Northeast

Photographer's Note

The Rose Main Reading Room of the NY Public Library is a combination of library, artwork, and architectural beauty. One can't help but be inspired as you sit and read in such a setting.

This room, which is situated on the third floor of the "main library" at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, is large. The dimensions are 23.8 m (78 feet) by 90.5 m (279 feet), with a ceiling height of 15.8 m (52 feet). Those dimensions are close to the equivalent of two NYC blocks.

There are oak tables, bronze lamps, and murals of the skies, which you can get a glimpse of in this photo.

The library itself is a Beaux-Arts building, made entirely of marble, and opened in 1911. It sits on the site of the former Croton Reservoir, which supplied NYC's drinking water in the late 19th century. Before construction could begin, workers spent two years dismantling the reservoir and preparing the site.

yeln, saxo042, josepmarin, weetrees, asajernigan, BWJ, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

coco (30439) 2010-06-09 17:10

Hi BRenda.

Good composition with a nice DOF and exposure.

Well done.

batalay (41261) 2010-06-09 17:30

Hello Brenda,

What a spectacular scene, and presented beautifully with symmetric one-point perspective. The Italian Renaissance style ceiling, indeed the high ceiling would be a source of inspiration. Your note is first class.

Warm regards,

Bulent

divail (8334) 2010-06-09 19:06

Bonsoir Brenda,
Superbe et majestueuse, cette salle. La prise de vue nous en fait bien mesurer l'ampleur.
Diane

yeln (11516) 2010-06-09 22:41

hi Brenda
google
excellent design. nice view!
good job!
I like the color contrasts
Congratulations! TFS!
Regards

Vojko

weetrees (159) 2010-06-10 0:31

Hi Brenda,
Good balance in the composition here with the symetry just about perfect.
I was recently shooting a wedding and the lighting was as challenging as this looked
lots of natural light but a good splattering of un natural stuff throwing the camera off on many levels
i like the guy stretching on the right side of the image (pink shirt)
this adds a bit of movement to the image
Technically its a bit overexposed on the people but just about right on the ceiling
i did a wee workshop to give you an idea what i mean
have a great rest of the week
John

[workshop] [compare]

Dimitris-Tolis (157) 2010-06-10 3:03

Gia sou Brenda
Great hall. Unbelievable large dimensions, free of supports, at the time of construction.
You also brought the splendor of this hall with your photo.
Cheers

saxo042 (38078) 2010-06-10 7:35

Hi Brenda,
A perfect and quite classical study of the rules of perspection, with all lines gathering at the focal point. A beautiful room!
Kind regards
Gunnar

clic (76) 2010-06-15 11:12

Thanks for your kind words, Brenda.
Those lampshades on tables remind me of magician hats
and the neat architecture, a classroom for an Harry Potter movie!!
A pleasure for the eyes; so much fine details on the same wide view.
Take care.
Robert

Cafalex (924) 2010-06-17 10:18

Hello Brenda,

Your picture reminds of the exam periods! Difficult time which are fortunately far away now! The vertical position is great thanks to the lines created by the cellar and the red floor.

Have a great day,

Alexandre

josepmarin (59385) 2010-06-20 4:55

Hi Brenda,
gracias a tu foto puedo conocer el interior de la NY Public Library, ya que en mis dos visitas a la ciudad no he entrado nunca.
La belleza del artesonado de madera en el techo, la fuerte perspectiva conseguida con tu encuadre, y la luminosidad del interior del edificio, forman una composición agradable y con gran interés gráfico.
La gente leyendo en sus mesas añade mucha vitalidad a la escena.
Excelente trabajo con la exposición, y eso no era fácil.
Bien realizada.
Un abrazo, amiga.
Josep

asajernigan (21427) 2010-07-01 3:09

Brenda,
This is a well composed shot using the aisle to lead the eye into the shot. This is a nicely balanced composition with good symmetry. The lighting and colors are great and the photo has nice sharpness.
TFS,
Asa

chandrapranil (1087) 2010-07-08 15:26

Hi Brenda,

I really like how the tiles in the middle help guide oru eyes trhough this photo. The photo also helps create a sense of quietness as you would expect out of a place like this.

Thank you for sharing

Pranil

Leo71538 (555) 2010-08-10 3:05

Woof! This is where I can read and read and read!

BWJ (3094) 2010-08-27 19:25

Hello Brenda,
This is a very beautiful room. The ceiling is spectacular. POV, perspective and the symmetry are impressive. You also managed the lighting really well.
Kind regards,
Betty

macjake (98262) 2010-11-05 21:10

Hi Brenda
its almost like a water reflection, with the top and bottom equaling eachother.
i like the light shining in on the recycling bins, and the overall depth and parallel lines.
nice one
cheers
craig

rl245267 (845) 2010-11-10 5:58

Wow Brenda,

What a fantastic room here. I love all the wood and stone work. Your composition shows it's beauty and grandness.

Incredible,
Rob

mkamionka (73440) 2010-11-25 5:53

Hi Brenda,
very impressive reading room.
It reminds me about the latest Indiana Jones movie. Indiana Jones together with his fellow were riding a motorcycle through a similar library hall. May be it was even this one?
Although I guess they have picked one in LA :)
I like the symmetry of the composition.
Regards,
M

finlay (1585) 2010-11-26 13:25

Brenda

An excellent capture. The central aisle provides a wonderful lead in. The symmetry is strong and the resulting sense of perspective emphasises the size of the hall. With no shadow the detail of the architecture can be truly appreciated.

Finlay

bmukherjee (1516) 2010-12-24 18:55

Hi Brenda,

A wonderful shot of the library! The first thing I thought when I saw the thumbnail was that this is a shot of the Doe library here at UC Berkeley. The dimensions and the architecture are rather similar - although we have an arched ceiling as opposed to the intricate woodwork here.

cheers,
biswaroop

MJR (3360) 2011-01-21 14:15

Hi Brenda
I am a country boy at heart, as you will see from my posts, but pictures like this could make me change ! What a library ! It reminds me very much of the great halls in the Doges Palace Venice. As I said recently of your outside spaces, Americans knew/know ? how to build public buildings too ! Magnificent. And, I might add, a fine picture, taken in difficult light I guess. Lovely perspective, and the view of all the readers transmits the studious air of the place. Bravo ! rgds Martin

kiasari (62) 2011-01-22 17:49

Hi Brenda,

You chose a good POV to take this shot. A nice shot with a well managed framing. I like the symmetry of the photo. TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
Abbas

HFASSOURAKIS (4) 2011-03-26 3:02

I LOVE THE LIBRARY BUILDINGS.
YOU KNOW THEY ARE NOT JUST FULL OF STONES AND BRICKS...
MINDS ARE THE MAIN BUILDING MATERIAL BUT NOT ONLY FOR THEM BUT FOR WHOLE WORLD
EXCELLENT CLEAR SHOT
MANY THANKS HERCULES

ikeharel (112475) 2014-01-01 8:05

Spent some long hours in this library, Brenda, and the place hadn't change through the past 30+ years.
Good clear view indoor's, Depth and light managed superbly.
My best wishes for the new 2014 year.
Ike