It looks like you were on the bridge in the afternoon since the footpath is on the East side of the bridge. When my wife and I go to NY we also stay in Manhattan and in the afternoon we are usually trying to get tickets to a Broadway show, but would like to go to that bridge someday. The last time I was in NY in Sept. I discovered the NYC ferries that leave from Wall Street and go all the way up to the Bronx just before the Whitestone Brridge. It goes under 6 major bridges on the East River. On a clear day early in the morning the views and photos of the bridges and skyline are wonderful from that ferry. The water traffic consists of mostly Tugs & barges and small work boats, I did get to take some photos of tiny FDNY fireboat with only 1 nozel, a police boat and a prison hulk or barge up near Rikers Island. I posted all these recetly.

Love this photo from the Bayonne Bridge. I think it is the only place in NY Harbor that you can get a shot from above, at least of container ships. Was it worth it or did you have to spend hours to get that one shot?