Bannerman's Castle
Bannerman's Castle is a crumbling, romantic ruin sitting on a small island in the middle of the Hudson River, built in the early 1900s as a military surplus warehouse and now one of the most dramatic abandoned structures in the Northeast. The combination of Gothic-inspired stonework, ivy-covered walls, and the wide river surrounding it on all sides gives you a lot to work with photographically. Shoot from the island itself to get close architectural detail and frame the decay against the sky, or photograph from the riverbanks near Beacon for wider compositions that show the castle within its Hudson Valley landscape. A telephoto lens works well from shore, compressing the castle against the hillside behind it. Golden hour light is ideal, especially in autumn when fall foliage adds warm color around the ruins. Access is by guided boat tour or kayak; check tour availability in advance as access is seasonal and limited. (Beacon, New York, United States)
