Pearce Leal was setting up to take a simple shot of New York's Central Park when something unexpected happened.
This year I spent a month in New York City in the middle of one of its coldest winters in years. It was a shock arriving from the peak of the Australian summer but a unique experience to see the most famous city in the world blanketed in snow. Walking around Manhattan there is something weird and wonderful to shoot around every corner.
For me, this image captures something of the beauty and spontaneity of New York. It was a particularly cold morning in Central Park and most New Yorkers were still holed up indoors. I ventured down an embankment, ignoring a ‘Keep Out’ sign to get to the edge of this frozen lake. With the picturesque Bow Bridge in front of me, I had the makings of an image but still needed some other element to balance the composition. Just as I was thinking that, I heard a commotion behind me and a man came rushing over the hill. Seconds later a park security car pulled up, sirens blazing, and a guard shouted, "Stop!" Before I knew it the man was on the ice, sliding to the opposite bank. I had time to change a few camera settings and take some shots before he passed under the bridge and climbed up the opposite bank.
I don’t know why the security guys were chasing him but I was thankful he appeared when he did. It was exactly what I needed for the image and I got to witness a great escape!
Canon EOS 5D MK III, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens @ 16mm, 1/350s @ f/8, ISO 400, hand held.
