Photogenic Places – A Simple Guide To Photographing New York City

The Big Apple has no shortage of great places to take exceptional photography from. Whether you are inside the city, within the confines of Madison Square Garden, or overlooking it from the suburbs, New York City is just overflowing with breathtaking scenery to snap at from behind the lens.

In fact, NYC can be so massive and overwhelming, that it can be nearly impossible to determine where you should start taking pictures from. If you’re new to the city or have never visited before, selecting the right places to start taking photography can be a daunting task. Not only do you have dozens of iconic buildings that make up a recognizable skyline, but you also have bridges, markets, ferries, statues, and lots more to photograph. Can you capture it all? Maybe if you could dedicate an entire year to this project, but most likely you only have a few days.

So, let’s narrow down the choices by offering a quick photography guide to NYC. Once you’ve checked out these must-see locations, you should have gotten around the city enough to know how to find additional great spots for photography.

Central Park

It’s one of the first places that comes to mind when you think of scenery within the confines of New York City. Central Park is…well, centralized on Manhattan island. It’s very large and would take you a while just to walk from end to end. While you’re exploring Central Park, there are tons of highlights for interesting people to photograph. This includes such spots as the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, which has wonderful arches to pose beneath and can also be used when trying to frame the fountain itself. Come early, though, because this popular spot fills up fast. There’s also the Alice in Wonderland statue, the Imagine Memorial, the lake itself (with a very nice boathouse), and much more. But the best thing to photograph in central park is people. Whether it’s a jogger, cyclist or just people relaxing, this is a great place in a busy city to capture photos of people getting away from it all. You could easily take several days just to explore the park with your camera!

Grand Central Station

This appropriately named station opened in 1871, so there’s lots of history behind possibly the best “slice of life” shooting location in New York City. It truly is grand in size and scope, with an astonishing number of people coming through here daily. Start with a wide shot to capture the station, which you can take from certain points that overlook the main hall in the station. The ledge provides a handy spot to rest your camera on so that you can capture slow exposure shots on the main hall. Then move in for some detailed images of the architecture, the people, and everything in between. For the patient observer, this is a remarkable location for photography.

Brooklyn Bridge

One of the most iconic bridges in the world is a must on your NYC shot list. Bridges in general always shape a photo nicely, especially from the walkways. The image seems to pull you into your destination. Aligning your shot with the walkway, the supports, and other elements of the bridge’s structure almost always come out great. If you want to get onto the bridge for a cool shot, the cables that lead up to the towers are both visually stunning and iconic. You would probably recognize this visual from several movies and TV shows. If you want a nice shot of the bridge without actually being on it, then there are plenty of spots on the waterfront below the bridge. Not only can you get a great shot of the bridge, but you’ll also be able to photograph thee famous skyline.

Another great location for photographing Brooklyn Bridge is from the neighbouring Manhattan Bridge. This gives you an unrivalled view of Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. Just be aware of camera shake when taking slow exposure shots as trains regularly pass on the bridge that can cause quite a lot of vibration on the bridge. Try to time your shots to happen in between trains passing.

Rockefeller Center

The view from beneath this monument to corporate America is not only iconic but stunning as well. There are taller buildings in New York City, of course, but Rockefeller Center has something special about it that really makes it stand out. Maybe it’s the general architecture, maybe it’s the surrounding sculptures, or maybe it’s because you’ve seen it featured in some of your favourite television shows. Regardless, this is a quintessential place for photography in NYC. Snap some images from beneath the Atlas statue and then move on to the Seated Ballerina. You can also turn slightly to juxtapose it against St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

But without doubt one of the most iconic shots of NYC is from the viewing deck. You’ll find great views over the city, including the Empire State Building. Head up there in time for sunset and you might just end up with a photo that will look amazing anywhere. But be warned that this area gets incredibly busy and you need to arrive early to get a good spot. Tripods are not allowed but you can rest your camera on a ledge or use a small Gorillapod.

The Empire State Building

Of course, we were going to add this iconic building to our list! It would be a sin not to visit the one building that virtually everyone on the planet can pick out of the New York City skyline. Most people will go to the observation deck to take pictures of the city, and you should do that (since it’s such a magnificent view), but you should also spend a little time at the base of the building. It’s busy, it’s crazy, and it’s chaotic down there, which perfectly captures the essence of NYC. When you’re ready, head on up topside for some splendid views. It’s all about the time of day for photography. So if you plan on going early for some sunrise shots, book your tickets online. They only let 100 people up for a shot like that.

Chelsea Market

If you’re after active shots of people actually living in NYC or going about their day, Chelsea Market may be right for you. There’s lots of food and street photography happening there daily. It’s on the west side of Manhattan, so take some shots of the Manhattan Bridge on your travels here, and then explore some of the more eccentric photography around the market. It’s probably a good idea to bring a wide lens with you for this opportunity. It’s easy to spend an entire day here just people-watching. Plus, there are lots of awesome food to snack on in between photos.

Times Square

This is the spot in the city where you can expect to see the glitz and glamour of New York. Times Square need to be photographed during the blue hour for the best shots of the neon signs throughout the vicinity. Maybe try out a long exposure or a zoom burst here for some really interesting shots. Once you’ve snapped the signs and towering buildings surrounding you, turn your lens to the various street performers that are spread all around Times Square. You can find people dressed in different costumes, performing music, and lots more. Be aware that they will probably want a tip when you photograph them, though.

The Statue Of Liberty

This is a must-see location not just for photographers, but for anyone visiting New York City in general. The statue was originally donated by France and has become a vital keystone of the US ever since. It goes hand in hand with what makes New York unique. You actually have a variety of ways in which you can photograph the statue, so put a little thought into how you want to capture it. First, you can simply visit Liberty Island, where you can get extreme close-ups of the statue. Take portraits of the statue from outside, and then climb the statue to see the view of Manhattan. You can also take some amazing shots from the ferry on your way to Staten Island. It’s a free ferry ride and it goes right on by the iconic Lady Liberty. You could also visit Liberty Park if want to photograph the statue from the rear, which can make for some interesting shots. Then there’s also Port Jersey Boulevard, where you’ll need a telephoto lens. From here you can get some awesome shots of the statue along with skyscrapers from Manhattan.

The Flatiron Building

If you’re looking for a suitable location to show off your architectural photography skills, then look no further than the Flatiron Building. This is a great spot to try out different kinds of composition and as soon as you lay eyes on the building you’ll see why. The best angle may be the junction point where the building sits. Long exposure photography is a great way to capture all of the hustle and bustle here as well. If you can get a clear sky behind the building, it’s a nice iconic shot that will always look good in your portfolio.

The New York Public Library

This interesting location is not only iconic in terms of its architecture, but it’s a great place to get inside and start snapping pictures from within. After you’ve taken a look from behind the lens at all of the sharp angles, intricate stonework, and wonderful entryway then you should go inside and begin photographing the interior. It’s just a breathtaking setting both inside and out. You’ll absolutely want to check in with the front desk, first, and you may even be asked to send in a Letter of Intent a few weeks in advance, but if you can get clearance then it’s really a remarkable interior to photograph.

There’s so much more

The thing about New York City is that there are so many more places that you can photograph. It’s no exaggeration that you can spend a lifetime just trying to capture the experience of being in the Big Apple. For example areas like Chelsea, Harlem, Little Italy and Chinatown are also a must. Or even Brooklyn and the iconic shot of the arches of Manhattan Bridge through the buildings. Yellow Taxis, Wall Street and street food vendors are also a must. The key is to plan your trip in advance and take plenty of memory cards!

New York is one of the most stunning cities in the world. It is also one of the most photogenic. But try not to cram too much into your shot list as this city is simply too big to cover for one trip! Regardless of how long you have if you plan your trip and have a good shot list you’ll be sure to come back with amazing photos.

Photo credits: Kav Dadfar – All rights reserved. No usage without permission. Dreamstime.