Freedom by Sharad Patel
Captured from the vantage point of a boat’s upper deck, this image encapsulates a fleeting, mesmerizing moment of light and atmosphere. The photographer, struck by the unfolding scene while cruising with friends, made the deliberate technical choice to frame the horizon with precision. The resulting composition serves as a testament to the beauty found in spontaneous travel experiences. This photograph is award-worthy for its evocative quality and the photographer's ability to transform a casual outing into a compelling visual narrative, demonstrating a keen eye for light and the emotional resonance of a sunset over the New York skyline.
Exposure 1/640sec @ f/6.3 | ISO 400 | Focal Length 42mm
Sharad Patel
Sharad Patel is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, who is passionate about photography. After spending his childhood in Mumbai, India, he moved to New York, USA during the summer of 2007. Even though he used to have a keen interest in photography, it was only after his friends introduced him to Flickr, that his interest escalated. He regularly uploads pictures he takes to receive comments from his peers on Flickr. This allows him to fine tune his vision and motivate him to develop his skills. He hopes that one day, when he is a successful graphic designer, he continues to capture the moments which make life special through photography. Camera Gear: Canon 30D Lenses: Nikkor 85mm f/1.4, Nikkor 20 mm f/1.8, Nikor 18-105mm f/3.5-4.5 Current Location: New York, USA Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/sharad2020 Twitter: www.twitter.
Resonance Score Breakdown
Transparency Note: The resonance score (16.5/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.
Expert Photography Reviews · 4
Salt on the Tongue
The air near the water always tastes of cold iron and wet stone. It is a sharp, metallic tang that clings to the back of the throat, reminding the lungs of the vast, restless deep.
Read the reflection →The Weight of Distance
We spend our lives looking toward the horizon, convinced that what we seek is just beyond the reach of our hands. We stand on the edge of the water and wait for the light to change, as if the shifting color of the sky could settle the restlessness in our chests.
Read the reflection →Reviews & Comments
Share your thoughts about this award-winning photograph. Your reviews contribute to the community engagement score.
The bruised, violet-tinged ochre of this Battery Park sunset evokes the melancholic stillness of a Morandi study, where light doesn’t merely illuminate but dissolves the skyline into a hazy, liquid amber. It’s a chromatic ache that catches in one’s throat; I’ve found myself mesmerized by how the sky’s bruised plum bleeds into the harbor’s murky, slate-grey depths, creating a harmonic tension that feels less like a snapshot and more like a painterly, atmospheric surrender.
A casual outing with friends, one gathers. It’s a pleasant enough sunset, though one suspects the shutter was clicked between sips of a drink rather than after a week of shivering on a pier. I’ve spent enough miserable hours waiting for the light to turn to know when it’s been gifted rather than seized. It’s pretty, certainly, but it hasn’t cost the photographer a thing. I find that rather a pity, really.
Sunlight bleeds across the Battery Park skyline, yet it’s the encroaching gloom beneath the boat’s deck that truly anchors the frame. Most see a sunset; I see a desperate struggle against the inevitable erasure of form. It’s haunting how the shadows swallow the horizon, forcing the city into a jagged, silent silhouette. I’ve felt this exact, heavy ache in Tarkovsky’s frames—that realization that light isn’t a gift, but a fleeting, fragile resistance against the dark.
Most sunset shots from the Staten Island ferry are forgettable tourist clutter. What separates this from the thousands I’ve reviewed is the deliberate, low-slung horizon. By pinning the skyline against that bruised, heavy light, Patel forces us to confront the city’s scale rather than just its silhouette. It’s a rare, quiet exhale in a frantic harbor. I’d hang this in thirty years just to remember how New York felt before the glass towers took over everything.
Breathtaking…simply there is no other way to describe the meaning of the statue and NYC then this picture
You are fortunate to have such an eye that captures man made work blending in to the majestic natural backdrop!
I MUST say FANTASTIC PICTURE !!!!!
Mesmerizing View !!!!! Love the Shot !! GOOD JOB bro :)
Love the shades of the picture !!! Nice Snap..
Wow this picture is just breathtaking… beautiful.
Simply breath taking, a fantastic display of New York xD
it looked like a beautiful day
Love the TITLE !! MINDBLOWING
This picture is truely and sincerly breath taking. The angle that the picture was taking helps to increase its beauty. I especailly love the fact that the statue itself and its surrounds came out shaded and the sky is ful of light not only does it create a flawless look to the picture but it also helps to create a mood. By bright sky and shaded area and statue creates a sense of hope as this country does for many people when the first arrive here im sure. Compliments to the photographer =) keep up the good work
Nice Photography =) LOVED IT!!
SIMPLYY SUPERB !!!!!
Just one word WOW !!!!!
Dude Yo , Imagen de Niza. Amado realmente a esta imagen !
Dude Yo , Imagen de Niza. Amado realmente a esta imagen !!!!!
hey nice snap dude
Hey this is an awesome pic dude ;)
LOVE the composition of d pic !!!!
You doooo deserve soooooo many commentss !!!! GOOD
Nice CAPTURE !! Perfect place & Perfect Timing !!! GREAT WORKK !!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice Shot ! Sigan con el impresionante trabajo
hey this pic is fabulous :) Keep Up the good work !!!!
Nice Shot dude !!! GREAT WORK !! Keep up the good work :)
WOW great! This is just an outstanding picture….in my life i have not seen a better picture to represent NYC…..AMAZING….keep up the good work
WOW. THis picture is very good.
Well, Obama must see this shot!
Fantastic shot !!!!!
GREAT SHOTT !! Keep up the good work !! Very Impressive!
Impressive !!! Good work :)
tio disparo impresionante ! Sigue así
LOVE IT !! This is one hell of a breathtaking picture =)
Shot Amazing ! Votre image est utile de faire autant de commentaires :)
Imagen de Niza ! ¡Sigan adelante! !
AMAZING..Love the shot ! keep it up!! love the scenery!
No Words to describe it..Just Fabulous !!!!
LOVEEEE this picture. SUPERB well done !!!
stunninggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!! awesomeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mind Blowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Visited the statue of liberty countless times but never seen a picture like this. Professionally captured and hope you have a good career in Graphic Design and Photography.
WOW
That’s some crazi pictures. nice nice. keep it up man
What a capture. Awesomely Mind-blowing. Can’t stop seeing this picture.
its a wonderful best among 7 wonderful photos of the world
Its AMAZING !! Keep up d good work !!! GOD BLESS
Love this picture…its MINDBLOWING :)
This picture is amazing!
Slick Pic bro keep it up
i have been statue of liberty many time and around that area
but i never seen these awesome view.
Absolutely Mesmerizing.
The gradient of light going horizontally across the picture, and the saturation gradient from bottom to top produces a magnificent contrast differential. And the placement of the Statue of Liberty, although small, gives it a very prominent presence. The warm dusk colors give it a very outward perspective and gives the feeling of the future to come. Excellent in my book.
A+
Yooo this jawnt be hustlen errrday
WOW its is the coolz
That’s an amazing picture.
It would be my honor and pleasure if I would get chance to meet the genius mind behind this unique and an extra ordinary picture… what an amazing picture he has taken! mind blowing and keep it up bro.
oh sharad this is amazing u have done great work
good luck for other photographys ok
This is one of the best nature pic i have ever seen…
keep it up sharad…
make me proud….
gud luck
yogini ur brother sharad is definitely gonna b a gr88888 dsigner jus loved everything about tis picture
gr888888888 !!! yogini ur definitely gonna b a successful dsigner jus loved it all t bvery best
Wow.. Amazingly Beautiful.. Keep it up..!!!
Wow, amazing shot!! I’ve seen a million shots of the Statue of Liberty, but never in this glory. Your on your way to success if this keeps up. =D
WOW!! this is an amazing shot……it looks really nice
woww awsome pixx…kepp up the qud wrok
Great Great Great shot Mr. Patel! Great name too, shows how great the meaning of the statue is. This is simply a great piece of art nice work
Very Very good picture…….…keep it up….
this is simply amazing
very profound !!!! its amazing
it’s really amazing shot…… very nice snap Sharad bapu….
i also like Photography and i think i need to see you to get the perfection photography like this ………….
its really good…
Really nice shot!!!!! love it…keep it up….
wow… supurb photography….
Awesome…i love it
oh wow!! awesome work sharad :)
amazing….
Amaziingg picture! never seen anything like it! Keep up the Good Work!
nice snap dude…keep it up :)
amazing lighting. you were at the right place at the right time.
ASTONISHING PICTURE !!!
LOVE everything about the SHOT..its just PERFECT :)
Well Done jaadi ;) KEEP IT UP <3
This picture brings me into the “Empire state of mind”! Amazing job! Your the best photographer I know of. Even better than the guy who commented above me!
Yo this picture is like amazing
I think this pic describes more then a book can about NEW YORK CITY…I would want to meet this photographer…He seems like a PROFESSIONAL GENIUS….
amazing shot !!! keep it up.
Absolutely stunning! Wonderfully named! Not only does it highlight the beauty of NY it’s also an homage to the essence of what is the United States of America.
Great Work, great depth…keep up the great work Sharad!
WOW!! Exellent! Amazing! Speechless! I have never seen an amazing picture ever! Simply Amazing :) keep up the great work!
You have created a painting to represent New york through just a single shot! New york and USA in original and true spirit which we should strive for.
God too painted gorgeous skies for you
Exellent Shot. I have been living in NY for many years but have yet to see someone capture the true beauty of NYC. Great Job Mr. Patel!
P.B. Sharad patel
The photograph is very impressive..It brings peace to our mind and heart and is soothing to our vision.
Keep up the good work keeping Maharaj and Swami in center of all activities. With your hard work and faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan Pramukh Swami Maharaj will help you achieve your goal.
pravin mayor na jai swaimanarayan
Wow amazing shot!!! Solid lol
WOWWWW….!!!
This is Awesome… Good Job..
LOVE it.. : )
great picture!
The background light is JUST AMAZING! Do you know what time did you exactly take this picture?
Thanks a lot everyone!
@asif: This was around 7ish in the evening.
This is one of the best pictures i have ever seen! As soon as I saw this picture, my mind was amazed! Keep rocking with more speechless pictures just like this! God bless
you rock
Wow. Nicely captured. Love the silhouette!
That is beautiful!
Great shot!!!!! You are one of the best photographers I know. Submit more and keep up the amazing work!!!
It’s a very nice shot dude. It’s like someone is painting the sky. Nice capture of the moment
The light too respects the feeling captured here
or perhaps the feeling is captured!
I like the shot i was there when he took it
amazing shot .keep it up :)
I am from the US and NY and have seen the statue
a million times. This is one of,the most beautiful!
Toni Govan
I WOULD DEF TO WHAT YOU SAID!! :)
Sweet shot! Keep up the good work