NYC Viewpoints
There is no city in the world quite like New York. Referred to as the "City that Never Sleeps," New York’s energy, iconic skyline, and unique character make it a favorite destination for photographers. The city is a stunning blend of architectural marvels, vibrant neighborhoods, and dynamic street scenes. I have lived in and around the city for almost 20 years and over that time, I have found some excellent photography spots which highlight the iconic sites and landscapes of the city.
The Statue of Liberty
When someone thinks of New York City, lady liberty is often the first thing to cross their mind. Standing as a beacon of freedom in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty is a classically American symbol. However, photographing the Statue of Liberty from land is a challenge. Finding an east/west facing viewpoint that can put a sunrise/sunset in the composition is an even greater challenge. Heading to the Brooklyn coastline is the best location for a west facing shot of lady liberty’s face. However, many of these viewpoints are over 2 miles away, meaning that a telephoto lens is a must for these photos. My favorite Statue of Liberty viewpoint is at the Louis Valentino Jr. Park and Pier. Here, the Statue of Liberty is only about 1.5 miles away and can fill the frame with roughly 400mm of zoom (though 200mm can still produce great shots). When I visited, the best photos came after sunset, when the sky flooded with striking pinks and purples. Be sure to look out for passing boats which can illuminate the New York Harbor in the foreground. Here are my photos from the pier!
Port Jersey / Liberty State Park
Some of the best shots of New York City are not even in the state of New York. New Jersey viewpoints just across the Hudson River give great vantage points of downtown Manhattan. Situated to the west of Manhattan, these viewpoints face east and are thus best viewed around sunrise. While I have never been on the New Jersey coast at sunrise, I have been there for night photography during the 9/11 tribute in lights (which I have a prior article covering in detail).
Dumbo
DUMBO, or the area ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’, is perhaps the most up-and-coming photography location in the entire city. At this location, you can photograph downtown Manhattan, the Freedom Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. My two favorite spots in DUMBO are near Jane’s Carousel and Old Pier 1. I visited Jane’s Carousel on an overcast sunset where, to my luck, pink hues broke through the clouds on the horizon. I maneuvered myself to a photo composition that placed the pink behind the Brooklyn Bridge and Freedom Tower. At Old Pier 1, I set up a tripod on the shore behind the historic wooden stilts. When sunset hit, I took long exposure shots to smoothen out the water. Even though I ended up with too high an exposure, Old Pier 1 is one of the premier photo locations on the Brooklyn shore.
Manhattanhenge
Twice a year, the sun sets perfectly aligned with New York’s east west street grid in an event known as ‘Manhattanhenge’. In the past decade, Manhattanhenge has blown up in popularity and is now a well known photography event across the city. Perhaps the best location to see the event is on the Tudor City Overpass, which requires arriving hours early (I was unable to do so). Other good locations are along Manhattan’s long east-west streets: 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th. I also had luck on the shores of the East River looking towards 34th street. By being in Queens (Gantry Plaza State Park in specific) I avoided the crowds instead of being trampled and covered in Midtown.
Skyscraper Overlooks
What better way to see the grandeur of New York City than from above. Even though photography drones are banned in nearly the entire city, New York City has over 300 skyscrapers, many of which give great viewing opportunities. The 5 most popular observation decks are: One World Trade Center, The Edge NYC, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Top of the Rock, and the famed Empire State Building. While you cannot go wrong choosing any of these viewpoints, my particular favorites are Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building. Top of the Rock (the top of Rockefeller Center) gives excellent unobstructed views of the Empire State Building and central park. A trip to the top of the Empire State Building gives the best views of the Hudson Yards and Downtown Manhattan, and allows visitors to explore the history of one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
View from the Empire State Building
New York City is the most photogenic city in the nation. Between iconic landmarks, expansive skylines and vibrant culture, New York City has an infinite number of scenes to capture. Even after 20 years of living in the region, I still have a long list of places I would like to visit for the first time. Its ever-changing landscape and endless energy ensure there's always something new to discover. For photographers and tourists alike, New York City remains an unmatched source of inspiration.