Photographing New York

[Giant Ginkgo]

For a slightly different take, I've always found this series of maps based off of Flickr uploads to be useful when traveling to see what the locals find interesting to photograph. Check out the other ones in the series as well on Flickr, a lot of different cities were mapped...

Blue pictures are by locals. Red pictures are by tourists. Yellow pictures might be by either.

​

 

[Vics]

My wife and I made our first trip there last October, and I really enjoyed the Top of the Rock for great views, and the cruise around the isle of Manhattan. Also check and see if there any parades. We were lucky enough to catch the Polish Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Great fun. Also we took a night-time bus touf that was interesting.

Polish Day Parade, 5th Ave. by Victor Ross, on Flickr

 

[mbisc]

Must-do for any tourist to NYC (and free, too): walk at least halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge (from the Manhatten side) and look back towards the city! Great photo opportunity with all the cables etc., too.

 

[cosmonaut]

I have never been to New York but The Dakota would be very close to the top of my list.

 

[froyd]

For a slightly different take, I've always found this series of maps based off of Flickr uploads to be useful when traveling to see what the locals find interesting to photograph. Check out the other ones in the series as well on Flickr, a lot of different cities were mapped...

Blue pictures are by locals. Red pictures are by tourists. Yellow pictures might be by either.

​

VERY COOL! Did not know this feature!

 

[froyd]

Must-do for any tourist to NYC (and free, too): walk at least halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge (from the Manhatten side) and look back towards the city! Great photo opportunity with all the cables etc., too.

...why stop half-way? the other side is very photogenic too (Brooklyn Heights) and a famous pizza joint to reward your trek can be found at the foot of the bridge on teh Brooklyn side (though great pizza can be found pretty much all over the city these days)

 

[BlackXList]

That map feature is wonderful.

I haven't updated my flickr in probably a couple of years, and always refuse to location tag or geotag my photos, so I'm no help with that kind of info whatsoever, but I'm enjoying finding out what's been done with other people's info.

 

[Lucadomi]

Street shooting can be fun in New York. Every Neighborhood has something different.
Different people every time. Harlem is nice for example.
You don't have to confine yourself to Manhattan. The other Boroughs can be interesting too. There are people and cultures from all over the world. You do need to be a little careful, with some common sense, like in every big city.
You might be even able to go here ( maybe not yet):

http://time.com/world-trade-center/

 

[fuji645]

In addition to all of the above, you should consider: The Staten Island Ferry; it's free, each way is about 45 min and on a sunny day it's a beautiful way to see the NYC skyline. After the ferry ride, be sure to take a walk (or a short train ride) to the World Financial Center and Battery Park City. Again, on a bright sunny day it's great to see the New Jersey skyline and sightseeing boats coming going back and forth in NY Harbor. Ditto on the Cloisters in upper Manhattan. I've photographed there many times and it has some gorgeous views. Enjoy your trip.

 

[jenhao]

Just to add to the great suggestions so far...go down to the Wall Street area and Bryant Park during the work week to see people at work (or taking a break from work).

To see where more recent Chinese immigrants live and work, take the subway or LIRR to Main Street, Flushing. Terrific restaurants and bakeries there!

Heck, why not ride the Staten Island Ferry for fun and the great view of the harbor?

You're gonna have a great time any way you go! 🙂

Mark

 

[Rayt]

• Union Square Park (14th. street and Park).
• 59th. Street and 2nd. Ave. (Take the Roosevelt Ave. Tram to Roosevelt Ave. and back).
• The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Avenue)
• The High Line (thehighline.org‎) http://www.thehighline.org/galleries/images/high-line-park-photos
• 9/11 Memorial (1 Albany Street 911memorial.org‎)
• Canal and Mott street (then walk down Mott and eat at 456 Shanghai Cuisine at‎ 69 Mott Street) AWESOME!
• 14th. Street and 1st. Ave (hop the train one stop into Brooklyn- Bedford Ave.) This is the new Greenwich Village.

Have a great visit!

+1. While on Mott street keep walking south and visit Columbus Park. That's 2 or 3 rolls of people shots right there. The locals and nearby government workers eat their lunch there and the daily music performances (typically Chinese opera) are interesting and photogenic. From there it is a short walk to Ground Zero, South Street, the bridge.

 

[whited3]

Nathan, NYC is a doosie. Do try to get some night shooting in (of the city that never sleeps). I've barely scratched the surface of photographing NY in the 8 years I've been here. But my favorite shots are off the beaten path. Get your landmark shots in but do some exploring if you can. Try taking the L train to the 1st stop in Brooklyn. Williamsburg is an interesting start since it's mostly hipsters, yuppies, & restaurants - but most importantly won't give you a camera-mugging vibe. And you certainly won't be in Kansas (manhattan) anymore. You can wander all the way up along the east river quite safely to Greenpoint and hit some dive bars along the way.

 

[angelopartemi]

This is amazing!

For a slightly different take, I've always found this series of maps based off of Flickr uploads to be useful when traveling to see what the locals find interesting to photograph. Check out the other ones in the series as well on Flickr, a lot of different cities were mapped...

Blue pictures are by locals. Red pictures are by tourists. Yellow pictures might be by either.

​

 

[sparrow6224]

I would double the film, roughly. You might not have a happy finger but you haven't seen New York yet. It's not like anything else or any other place.

 

[Brian Atherton]

Has anyone mentioned the United Nations building? Well worth a tour and very camera friendly (when I was there in 1997).

I also second the walk across Brooklyn Bridge. Magical, in any weather.

Like London, one could spend every day in the city and still not cover everything.

 

[George Bonanno]

Up for something different ? Go to Ludlow Street... after-hours.

If that doesn't float your boat try Walker Street.

Bring money !