Hello all. Sorry if there is a better forum for this as I know it's not a Sony specific question. I am in NYC (Manhattan) for work until the end of the month. Looking for some suggestions for spots for night photography. Not looking for anything specific to short just some ideas of good places to go if anyone has any they are willing to share. Thank you.
Edit: I should have said this originally. I am not new to visiting NYC. Been coming here this time of year for work for 4-5 years now. I always stay in Midtown area near Radio City Music Hall. I have a few spots I like to shoot but you can only have so many shots of the bridges at night. Always good to get ideas from others.
I got some interesting shots in Chinatown at night. Should be able to find interesting things there. You could go to the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn bridge in the park for some cityscape lights. Or go up any of the tall buildings for a view of the city. I would think the oculus would be interesting near WTC. Maybe go to battery park to see the statue.
Not quite NYC, my favorite night time photo spot for NYC is the Hoboken Ferry Terminal on the Jersey side. You can find rows of wood posts in the water as foreground, with the NYC skyline in the background. Old Pier 1, a shot walk from the Brooklyn Bridge on Brooklyn side has nice view of the city, also with wood posts in the water.
If you are in NYC looking for locations to shoot, you are going to end up with tons of images that look similar to the millions of images already taken there. Try not to shoot like a tourist, but like a local who is immune to the bright lights and action.
My second, and perhaps more important suggestion, is to be very careful. Travel light on gear and don't let your eyes become too occupied inside the viewfinder. I've had quite a few close calls of almost being mowed down by e-bikes, which unlike the honking cars, are nearly silent until they whizz across your face. Also, the night in the city brings its own inherent dangers. I was there a few years ago and someone attempted to rob me about one block away from Times Square. I nearly lost $10k in gear, but fortunately walked away with only a broken finger and just a few scuffs on the face.
Go to
1) Long Island City (Google - Midtown Manhattan Skyline) - View of Manhattan from Queens
2) Pebble Beach - Brooklyn (View of Lower Manhattan - a spot between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge with a very good view)
3) Another good view from the Brooklyn side... just south of the Williamsburg Bridge (somewhere near the Giando on the Water restaurant)
All locations are good for night photography with the illuminated bridges
Where are you staying? I also did the NYC marathon last year and doing it again this year-
Go to SoHo and pick a direction and walk-
Union Square
Greenwich Village
West Village to East Village
I really love Chelsea though- Chelsea Market is awesome and the surrounding area. Very easy to be around
Flat Iron District around Madison Park is also very beautiful but slow at night which can be very nice NYC photography
The Ghost Busters Fire House 8 is really cool but not much around it-
Time Square during Halloween right before the marathon is also amazing but if you walk towards Hell’s Kitchen, its gets pretty crazy in a good way through there as well.
Pretty much just walk outside in NYC, Also small is king and so is large aperture. Grab a combo that is good at high ISO and set your shutter to 250 at f/8. At night maybe f/4. The beauty of NYC is NYC- Don’t hide any backgrounds-
I love shooting in and around grand central station. Lots of activity. Lots of interesting people and I find the building itself really interesting as well.
Just got back from a week in NYC, but these are from a trip in 2022. Go hang out in the Lower East Side. Wander around and just take photos when it feels right. Grab a slice at Prince Street Pizza, get some fried ice cream at Sam's, go get a Naked and Famous at the place it was invented — Death and Company.
Venture out of the touristy areas. Have you spent much time in a city environment? If so, don't let folks tell you to be afraid. NYC Is very safe. Have basic street smarts and have a great time. Ride the subway til 1AM and go somewhere new. OMNY caps out a $34 a week, explore!
MMP wrote:
If you are in NYC looking for locations to shoot, you are going to end up with tons of images that look similar to the millions of images already taken there. Try not to shoot like a tourist, but like a local who is immune to the bright lights and action.
My second, and perhaps more important suggestion, is to be very careful. Travel light on gear and don't let your eyes become too occupied inside the viewfinder. I've had quite a few close calls of almost being mowed down by e-bikes, which unlike the honking cars, are nearly silent until they whizz across your face. Also, the night in the city brings its own inherent dangers. I was there a few years ago and someone attempted to rob me about one block away from Times Square. I nearly lost $10k in gear, but fortunately walked away with only a broken finger and just a few scuffs on the face. ...Show more →
Damn. I haven't had anything like that happen to me and I always keep my pack on me when I am shooting and try be very aware of what is going on around me. I do that anywhere I go with my camera gear though.
Just got back from a week in NYC, but these are from a trip in 2022. Go hang out in the Lower East Side. Wander around and just take photos when it feels right. Grab a slice at Prince Street Pizza, get some fried ice cream at Sam's, go get a Naked and Famous at the place it was invented — Death and Company.
Venture out of the touristy areas. Have you spent much time in a city environment? If so, don't let folks tell you to be afraid. NYC Is very safe. Have basic street smarts and have a great time. Ride the subway til 1AM and go somewhere new. OMNY caps out a $34 a week, explore!...Show more →
Thanks. Yeah I have been coming to NYC this time of year for about 5 years now. Just looking for some new places to shoot at night. Keep going to the same places. Thanks.
Thanks for the replies guys. As much as I do like getting shots of the bridges at night you can only do that so many times so it's nice to get some new ideas.
Now you're talking my language.
-Head to the Highline on the West side (34th ish and 10th ish) look for the giant pigeon.
-Take a subway to Canal street, walk to Mott and walk down Mott (Chinatown).
-Go to Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028). Behind the museum is Central Park - nice Fall foliage now
-Grand Central Station right now...big art exhibit at the station
-Take the ferry from 39th street (all the way on West Side) to Port Imperial, NJ. 8 minute ferry. Face back to NYC when you get to Port Imperial. Do this at night. Gorgeous!!!!
I second the motion regarding using small, light gear and being aware of your surroundings.
Honestly, where is it not possible to do night photography in Manhattan? I’ve had good experiences in lots of places — some of the narrow, older streets in Lower Manhattan, Chinatown, in some cases in subway stations and even on trains (care is warranted), some of the crazy busy and crowded areas, etc.
