Vintage Solitude

J. O. Grundy Park pier, Jersey City, New Jersey

As I left the hotel's elevatory, I glanced at the vintage wall clock before me; it was a few minutes before 9 am. I pulled down my mask to drink the last sip from my cup of coffee, walked outside the hotel, and walked towards Jersey's Exchange Place. As I stood there, overlooking the J. Owen Grundy Park Pier, I couldn't help but feel a sense of stillness in the air. The sky was overcast, and the clouds seemed lower than usual, creating a sense of intimacy in the vast open space around me. I took a few test shots to capture the feeling of solitude that permeated the air. A light breeze blew from the Hudson River as I grabbed my photo-gear backpack, sending a chill down my spine. The location was eerily quiet, and waves lapping against the shore were the only noise that broke the silence. I wrapped myself in a sweater and a thin jacket, preparing to spend a few hours capturing the beauty of this abandoned pier. The emptiness was almost palpable, and I couldn't help but notice a rush of mixed feelings, a sense of melancholy, and an unexplainable sense of calm. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs, and surveyed the scene before me. I was amazed by the beauty of the pier and the cityscape in the distance, with its towering buildings and urban sprawl. I entered the J. Owen Grundy Park and found the perfect spot for my tripod, just beyond the second group of umbrellas. I aimed my camera towards Jersey City, adjusting the point of view to capture the vanishing lines viewpoint; I aligned the camera's perspective to match the floor planks with the Exchange Place and Montgomery Street. As I looked thru my camera viewfinder, I noticed a man walking in the distance; he was a speck against the vast expanse of this scene, and I wondered where he was heading. I couldn't help but make up a story in my mind; after weeks of inactivity, the city's streets appeared to welcome him, encouraging him to pursue a new day full of hope. I knew that this framed vision before me was worth capturing; I pressed the shutter button, and I knew that my camera had grasped something unique that would forever remind me of the hope over the stillness and beauty of that cloudy day at the J. Owen Grundy Park Pier. The clouds began to part, and a sliver of sunshine broke through the gloom. It was a small ray of hope, but it was enough to remind me that even in the darkest moments, there is always light to be found. In the end, this image captured the solitude of a once-bustling pier and the hope that lies just beyond the horizon. It reminds me that there is always a reason to keep moving forward, even in the most challenging times.

In a fascinating turn of events, the first copy of this artwork was swiftly purchased by a kind-hearted gentleman named Richard, who had a touching and romantic tale to share. Richard had bought the artwork "Vintage Solitude" as a surprise 10th-anniversary gift for his wife, Jess, who acquired another of my photographs, "Up-Right." Little did they know, they had both purchased a piece of art for each other. I was thrilled to discover this uncanny coincidence when I noticed that both purchases were shipped to the same address. Over time, Richard has become a dear friend, and I am reminded of the beautiful love story he shares with Jess each time I think of these artworks.