Best Photography Locations in New York
New York City — The Big Apple, the largest city in the USA and arguably the most global city in the world, is a mixture of art, culture, music, food, and anything else you can ask for. I was lucky enough to call NYC my home for three years. The photography community is huge in New York, but if you are a tourist or just looking for a place to shoot, here are my Top 10 favorite spots to photograph in the big city.
Doyers Street – Chinatown, Manhattan
New York Chinatown as a whole is a great place for street photography, but the best spot is Doyers Street. The unique street has a near 90 degree turn and has the history of being on of the deadliest spots in the city’s history. It used to be a center for clashes between rival gangs and due to its blind angle, it is difficult for people on the avenues to see what is going on inside. Today, it is home to many unique restaurants and hair salons. At night, Doyers Street offers a warm lighting for portrait photography, giving you vibes similar to Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Love.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/Ru22X7BDL7DHEpxk9
🚇 Canal Street (N, Q, R, W, 6 Trains)
⏰ Night Time
Dumbo, Brooklyn
DUMBO stands for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and if this list had a ranking, it would be at the number one spot. It is the perfect spot to go on a romantic date, watch the sunset, and shoot some magic hour photos. Here you have a panoramic view of the lower manhattan skyline including the One World Trade Center and Brooklyn bridge. At night time, you can also hop on the Jane’s Carousel for only $3. This is not a spot you want to miss during your trip to New York City.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/GFscUJS43MTkSQn8A
🚇 York Street (F Train)
⏰ Sunset and Night
Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
Fort Tryon Park, at the northern most point of Manhattan, looks like a park from Upstate New York. It takes a while to process that you are actually still on the island of Manhattan. If you want to immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city, this is the place to go, not Central Park. Even though every season here is gorgeous, when the leaves turn orange and yellow in the fall, Fort Tryon Park becomes even more magical. While you are here, you can also visit the Cloisters Museum.
📍https://g.page/fort-tryon-park?share
🚇 190th Street (A Train)
⏰ Afternoon
The High Line, Manhattan
The High Line is an elevated park converted from old train tracks. It gives you a different perspective of the concrete jungle as you walk in between towering buildings, while being above street level. Starting from the Whitney Museum and ending at Hudson Yards, The High Line is also home to many public arts projects. The entire walk will take you around 30 to 40 minutes, but feel free to stop and enjoy the view. The best street view on the High Line is around 23rd Street.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/t3NtgKRnC49jSk749
🚇 34 Street Hudson Yards (7 Train)
⏰ Anytime
Manhattan Bridge
After dim sum in Chinatown or sunset at DUMBO, take a walk across Manhattan Bridge. Unlike Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge is more of a transportation bridge rather than a tourist destination. However, while walking across it, you get an unblocked view of the entire Brooklyn Bridge. On the Manhattan side, you will also have a birds eye view over the colorful streets of Chinatown. Walking across this bridge will take you around 30 minutes. The only annoying aspect are the noisy subway trains that go by once every five minutes or so.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/dLKAtCg3ExpL4Uuz6
🚇 Walk from York Street, Brooklyn (F Train) or Grand Street, Manhattan (B, D Train)
⏰ Sunset and Night Time
Newport, New Jersey
Yes, technically Newport is in Jersey City, not New York, but it gives you a stunning view of Lower Manhattan. On the West of the Hudson river is a smaller, but cleaner and newer version of NYC, Jersey City. Newport, a popular high end neighborhood, is a great spot to go from night photography of the lower Manhattan skyline. Here you can also find the Newport Mall, home to many cheap eats. You can also walk north towards Hoboken for equally breathtaking view of Midtown Manhattan.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/qvDovphr1hdptabMA
🚇 Path Train Newport Station
⏰ Sunset or Night
Oculus, Manhattan
The Oculus, part of the World Trade Center transportation hub is a structure completed in 2016. The building is known for being the most expensive subway station in the world. However you can also use your creativity and make the most of the pure white backdrop for some striking looking shots. After visiting the Oculus, be sure to check out the 9/11 memorial or the World Trade Center observation deck.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/GNiSX2ajKkdNhjV89
🚇 World Trade Center Station (New York City Subway & Path Trains)
⏰ Anytime except rush hour
Rockefeller Center, Manhattan
Even though New York City has many skyscrapers with public observation decks including Empire State, World Trade Center, and the newly opened Hudson Yards, Rockefeller Center is my favorite. Here you can see Midtown Manhattan and Lower Manhattan in the distance. However, the best place viewpoint at Rockefeller Center is not the Top of the Rock. It is in fact, Bar 65. For the price of a drink, which is less than a ticket to the Top of the Rock, you can enjoy almost the same view. Just remember to make a reservation ahead of time. During Christmas, you can also photograph the famous Rockefeller Tree.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/bgfdxMA3aJzKM8Xx5
🚇 47-50 Streets Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, M Trains)
⏰ Night Time
Roosevelt Island
The small island in between Manhattan and Queens is an escape for the city, while at the same time, kind of still staying within it. Roosevelt Island gives you a view of the Manhattan “Wall” that is Midtown Manhattan. You can side next to the East River and watch Midtown Manhattan slowly light up. However, the most popular attraction here is definitely the Tramway, which gives you a bird’s eye view of Queensborough Bridge and Midtown.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/9z1pmRGVU6kGB8o69
🚇 Roosevelt Island (F Train) or 🚡 Roosevelt Island Tramway
⏰ Anytime
The Vessel, Manhattan
After its completion in 2019, the Vessel has quickly became one of the most Instagrammed places in NYC. This, honestly speaking, completely pointless piece of architecture is the definition of spending money for the sake of beauty and art, which is absolutely brilliant. The Vessel is a structure of staircases that create a honeycomb like structure. It is great for portrait photography, but you can also get stunning ultra wide angle architecture shots.
📍https://goo.gl/maps/kYqqVZu4uo2GQA7z5
🚇 34 Street Hudson Yards (7 Train) or 14th Street/Eight Avenue (A, C, E, L Trains)
⏰ Anytime
