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Tag: Asbury Park Boardwalk

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Created by photographer Frank Jansen, the Tuesday Photo Challenge is a weekly theme-based challenge for photographers of all kinds to share both new and old photography.

For this week's challenge, I had a few ideas in mind. There is a rusting abandoned car along one of the trails of the Autumn Hill Reserve in Princeton. I wanted to take a hike out and see what sort of images I could create with that. However, it rained a lot over the weekend, and the ground was quite wet. The last time Bhavna and I hiked out in the Preserve after a rain we found the trail unpleasant. I didn't fancy slipping and sliding in mud or being up to my ankle in muddy water but I grabbed my tripod and camera and started down the trail. About twenty minutes later I had to turn back. The water on the trail began to seep into my boot. I got a split in the path and realised I could not remember which directly led to the rusted truck. I turned around and walked back to my car.

I was starting to feel a bit down. My weekend photography projects were working out the way I had planned. The weather was putting a damper on things. I was feeling dispirited.

Asbury Park Carousel —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO100), © Khürt L. Williams

On Sunday we decided to drive down to Asbury Park. I've wanted Bhavna and the kids to see this old New Jersey shore town I had discovered for myself several years prior. The sky was 100% overcast, with no chance of sun and the weather report suggested a high probability of rain. But, I wanted to get out of the house, and I hoped that walking the boardwalk would provide some opportunity for photography.

Yello Sub. My family is having some fun with the artwork on the outside wall of the old casino. Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO100), © Khürt L. Williams
Located in Monmouth County, Asbury Park is one of New Jersey's old shore towns. The town was developed in 1871 C.E. as a residential resort. The Asbury Park Boardwalk, an orchestra pavilion, public changing rooms and a pier at the southern end of that boardwalk attracted a lot of tourists and subsequent development including some grand hotels.

Asbury Park Casino, Asbury Park, New Jersey —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO180), © Khürt L. Williams
In its heydey as many as 600,000 people visited Asbury Park each summer, riding the New York and Long Branch Railroad from New York City and Philadelphia. The Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall complex, the Casino Arena and Carousel House were built in the 1920s. The photos in this post are from the inside and outside of the convention hall.

Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO100), © Khürt L. Williams
We had planned on playing some miniature golf but my wife complained it was too cold. The boardwalk is normally quiet on a Sunday with only a few people. But earlier in the day, the borough hosted a gay pride parade. The boardwalk and restaurants were packed with people. We walked around, and I gave my family a history lesson -- as much as I knew -- on each of the buildings we passed.

Old Convention Hall, Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey —Apple iPhone 7 + Apple iPhone 7 back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 @ (3.99 mm, f/1.8, ISO160), ©
Later we walked downtown and had pretzels (kids), bratwurst and beer at the Asbury Biergarten und Festhalle. We sat outside on the roof patio but soon it was too cold. We walked around exploring the downtown before heading home.
Old Convention Hall - Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO100), © Khürt L. Williams
Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO100), © Khürt L. Williams
Shaan spreads his wings. —Nikon D5100 + Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/4.0, ISO100), © Khürt L. Williams
Mural on the wall outside the Asbury Park Casino. I asked Bhavna to pose, snapped with my iPhone 7 and edited in Adobe Lightroom. —Apple iPhone 7 + Apple iPhone 7 back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 @ (3.99 mm, f/1.8, ISO32), © Khürt L. Williams
Asbuary Park Bierhalle —Apple iPhone 7 + Apple iPhone 7 back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 @ (3.99 mm, f/1.8, ISO20), ©
Asbuary Park Bierhalle —Apple iPhone 7 + Apple iPhone 7 back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 @ (3.99 mm, f/1.8, ISO20), ©

Created by photographer Frank Jansen, the Tuesday Photo Challenge is a weekly theme-based challenge for photographers of all kinds to share both new and old photography.

Google+ Photographers Group Asbury Park Photo Walk

Today I met up on the Asbury Park Boardwalk with a group of photogs from the Google+ Photographers Group. Some were work friends, and the rest were strangers. The walk was organised by Scott Wyden Kivowitz - who until today I've only "known" online, and Daryl Meek. My friend and I drove down together. We got lost and ended up in Rumson, but we enjoyed the scenic route - lined with expensive shore homes - to Asbury Avenue.

Sunday 13 November 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8

The windy air was crisp but cool. We caught up with the larger group about a quarter of the way down the boardwalk.

Scott Kivowitz, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Scott Kivowitz (Center) | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄320 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 200
man on trike
Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄500 sec at f/8.0 | ISO 200
woman on trike
Trike | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄800 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 200

I saw this older woman sitting with her aide as we walked along. I was reluctant at first, but my desire to get the shot overcame my anxiety. I walked over, introduced myself and asked her permission to take her photograph. She had an exciting story to tell. She was born in Jersey City but moved to Asbury Park with her family when she was two years old. She's now 94 years old. She's been to this very boardwalk almost her entire life. Imagine the stories she could tell about what the boardwalk was like long ago and how much it has changed. I regret I forgot her name.

elderly woman on bench
This woman has lived in Asbury Park her whole life. | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄500 sec at f/8.0
Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄250 sec at f/8.0

The Wonder Bar is a local nightclub with a storied musical history, associated with such famous local legends as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Clarence Clemmons, Lance Larson and many others.

Wonder Bar
Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, New Jersey | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄160 sec at f/11
records
Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄160 sec at f/2.5 | ISO 800

My friend Chris, Prasanna and I had a great time chatting out our photography wish list. We added a fourth person, [John Carig](John Craig), to our smaller group. We talked about our families - we all have kids are varying age groups - before heading into the mall for a bite.

Convention Center, Asbuary Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Convention Center, Asbuary Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄200 sec at f/11

The iPhone Camera+ (with a Clarity filter applied) can produce some very good images. The key is good light. We had a cloudy early morning sky, but the sun shone through.

Asbuary Park Boardwalk | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Apple iPhone 4 | 3.85 mm | 1/1400 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 80

Asbury Park Mural | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄60 sec at f/11

The Casino once contained an Ice Skating Rink, hosted Roller Derby and Flea Markets and was used as the setting for the movie "City by the Sea" starring Robert DeNiro.

Inside the old casino. Asbuary Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, New Jersey | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄50 sec at f/3.5
Asbury Park Casino
Asbury Park Casino | Sunday 13 November, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8 | 1⁄250 sec at f/6.3

Before we left, we stopped at Sully's for a hot latte. They have an extensive menu, and many items are named after local landmarks. I liked the "The Boss" sandwich description, but our hostess let me know that he eats primarily vegetarian these days.

Sully's | Sunday 13 November 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S DX Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8