3 Photo Spots at the Ben Franklin Bridge

About the location

Its distinctive blue color and industrial aesthetic make it one of the most photographed landmarks in the Northeast. Photographers are drawn to its rhythmic suspension cables and the way the bridge frames the Philadelphia skyline at sunset. The bridge also features a pedestrian walkway that allows for unique perspectives of the towers and the river below, providing angles that are impossible to get from the ground. Whether you are capturing the massive stone piers or the intricate web of cables, the bridge offers endless geometric patterns to explore.

Best timing

Blue Hour is particularly magical as the bridge's structural lights turn on, contrasting beautifully with the deep blue sky. This timing allows for balanced exposures where the city lights and the bridge's architectural details are both visible.

Golden hour is also excellent, especially from the Philadelphia side looking east to capture the warm light hitting the steel, or from the Camden side looking west to get a silhouette of the bridge against a colorful sunset.

Traveling

Access to the pedestrian walkway is available from 5th and Race Streets in Philadelphia or from 4th and Pearl Streets in Camden. Street parking is available in Old City Philadelphia, though it can be competitive; several paid lots are located nearby for a more reliable option. The bridge is also easily accessible via the PATCO Speedline, which runs directly across the span. Photographers should note that the walkway has specific seasonal hours and may close during inclement weather.

Photography tips for Ben Franklin Bridge

Use a wide-angle lens to capture the immense scale of the suspension towers from the walkway, or a telephoto lens from the Camden waterfront to compress the bridge against the Philadelphia skyline. A sturdy tripod is essential for long exposures to capture the streaks of the PATCO trains or to smooth out the water of the Delaware River. Race Street Pier is a premier spot for low-angle shots looking up at the structure, while the Elfreth's Alley area nearby offers historical context to your shots.

Other languages

Here is how Ben Franklin Bridge is called in other languages:
CS Most Benjamina Franklina DE Ben Franklin Bridge EL Γέφυρα Μπεν Φράνκλιν ES Puente Ben Franklin FI Ben Franklin Bridge FR Pont Ben Franklin HI बेन फ्रैंकलिन ब्रिज HR Most Bena Franklina IS Ben Franklin brúin IT Ponte Ben Franklin JA ベン・フランクリン橋 NL Ben Franklin Bridge NO Ben Franklin Bridge PL Most Benjamina Franklina PT Ponte Ben Franklin RU Мост Бенджамина Франклина SV Ben Franklin-bron TR Ben Franklin Köprüsü ZH 本杰明·富兰克林大桥