New York City and its harbor are seen from a variety of standpoints in the photographs of Ed Cohen, East Brunswick’s longtime economic development coordinator. Cohen is selling his pictures to benefit the township’s historical society. EAST BRUNSWICK – For years, residents have known Ed Cohen as the township’s economic development coordinator, but now he’s taking on a second career as a photographer.
And residents can see the fruits of his budding ability when they visit the municipal building, where a number of his photographs of the New York skyline are on display. Cohen said he has already sold several of the pictures and donated the money to the East Brunswick Historical Society.
Turns out, photography, or at least serious photography, is a rather new hobby for Cohen, though he is now a senior citizen. In addition to having photos displayed at the municipal building, he will have some available at the East Brunswick Fine Arts Festival, to be held Saturday around the pond at themunicipal complex.
Cohen said township historian Estelle Goldsmith saw his works and asked if he would like to sell some more at the arts and crafts show. Cohen decided to do just that. Because the photos take up so much space, there will be 8-by-10 versions on a display board, with the full-size shots sitting alongside on a table. The photos, 14 in total, will sell for $50 each. He said all proceeds will go to the Historical Society.
Cohen said he took the New York skyline photos from a variety of places, including Liberty State Park at sunset, the ferry from Weehawken to New York City, and the Staten Island Ferry. The photos include the Empire State Building, lower Manhattan and other areas of the city.
Throughout June, the municipal building will display a number of floral-themed photographs by Cohen. The 8-by-10 and 11- by-14 pictures will sell for a $25 donation.
Cohen said that although he has been taking pictures for 50 years, it wasn’t until recently that he became serious about photography. He said he received a digital camera for his birthday last year, and a friend suggested he join a camera club. Though the other members had much more experience then he did, Cohen dove right in.
“They taught me how to take good photos,” he said. Advice included telling him to not use the LCD screen, but to look through the viewfinder, and to first look at the four corners of the view.
“And once you have a digital camera shot, you can enhance the photos,” he said.
The knowledge paid off, he said, and he won prizes in an East Brunswick Arts Commission contest last year.
The East Brunswick Arts Commission’s sixth annual Fine Arts Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the municipal complex. More than 90 artists and crafters will exhibit, demonstrate and sell original works in pottery, painting, woodcraft, glasswork, photography, sculpture, mixed media and jewelry. Food vendors will be on site. Admission is free.