In a nutshell
- New York is one of the world’s most photogenic cities — and this guide covers the best photo spots in New York from every angle.
- We’ll walk you through our top picks: skyline viewpoints, architecture highlights, street art hotspots, and some seriously underrated locations.
- Plus, get our honest photography tips for NYC — including what gear to bring and where tripods are (and aren’t) allowed.
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Photography in New York
New York is one of the most photogenic cities in the world.
No wonder our memory cards are constantly maxing out whenever we’re in New York.
Besides the well-known attractions in New York, there are of course plenty of photography locations that not everyone knows about yet.
Do you love photography and are you heading to New York soon? Perfect!
We’ll walk you through a selection of our favorite photo spots in New York in this article.
We’ll also give you practical photography tips and let you know what camera gear you’ll need in New York and what else to keep in mind when shooting there.
Photographing the New York Skyline
One of the most popular photography subjects in New York is the skyline. No calendar and no coffee table book about New York is complete without a skyline shot — and for very good reason.
Our Favorite Photo Spot: Brooklyn Bridge Park
There are countless spots where you can photograph the New York skyline. But our absolute favorite is the view from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
At this photography location, numerous wooden pilings stand in the East River and give you a seriously great foreground for your shot. This spot is especially stunning around sunset.
It’s very popular with photographers, so it’s best to head there a little early to claim your spot.
Skyline photo spot on Google Maps
More Photo Spots for the New York Skyline
Of course, there are plenty of other places where you can photograph the New York skyline. You’ll find many great options in Brooklyn along the East River.
But there are also some really good vantage points in New Jersey on the other side of Manhattan. A great place to capture the skyline at sunrise is Old Glory Park in Union City, New Jersey.
Our tip: When searching for a place to stay, you might want to consider Jersey City. We cover it as an alternative to Manhattan in our article on budget accommodations in New York.
Manhattanhenge: A Truly Special Sunset
Sunsets are always a special subject for photographers — and that’s certainly true in New York.
If you love photographing sunsets and have some flexibility in your travel schedule, you’ll want to circle two dates on your calendar.
Twice a year, a truly spectacular phenomenon plays out in New York. The sun sets exactly between the canyon walls of skyscrapers along the perfectly straight east-to-west streets.
Drawing on the British site Stonehenge, this phenomenon is called Manhattanhenge.
When Does Manhattanhenge Happen?
Manhattanhenge occurs twice a year, approximately three weeks before and three weeks after the summer solstice — around May 29 and July 12.
The exact dates vary slightly from year to year, but those are a reliable guideline.
Usually, the days just before and after the exact date are already really interesting from a photography standpoint.
The sun may not set perfectly between the buildings on those days, but at least partially — still totally worth it.
By the way, there’s also a Manhattanhenge at sunrise. Around two weeks before and after the winter solstice, the sun rises between the streets in the morning.
So if you don’t mind getting up early for a great shot, mark December 5 and January 8 on your calendar.
Where Is the Best Place to Photograph Manhattanhenge?
Not all streets in Manhattan work equally well for Manhattanhenge shots. The wider streets are your best bet, including 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets.
Make sure you’re not standing too far west, and a slightly elevated vantage point helps a lot.
We shot on 57th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. If you want the perfect Manhattanhenge photo, scout out your ideal spot on the days leading up to it.
New York Photo Spots for Lovers of Modern Architecture
New York has a lot to offer architecturally. If you enjoy photographing abstract shapes and modern architecture, the city will more than satisfy your creative urge.
Here are our favorite architecture photography locations in New York.
The Oculus
The Oculus is the striking main hall of the World Trade Center transit hub. After the original station was severely damaged on September 11, 2001, a new station hall was built and opened in 2016.
From the outside, the Oculus is already a real eye-catcher. But it’s especially photogenic from the inside.
Some of the best perspectives are at the ends of the large hall, where you get a sweeping view of the entire structure.
Whether tripods are allowed inside is a bit of a gray area. We haven’t found any official ban, but there have reportedly been instances where security guards on site prohibited tripod photography — so be prepared for that.
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Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the most famous examples of modern architecture in New York. The spiral design of the building is not only seriously impressive, but also a fantastic photo subject.
Tripods are not allowed inside. It’s also not permitted to hold your camera far over the railing to shoot downward — security staff are pretty strict about this, since the risk of a camera falling is simply too great.
Read more about the best museums in New York
New York Photo Spots for Fans of Historic Architecture
Lovers of historic architecture won’t be disappointed either. New York offers some wonderful historic photography locations that look absolutely stunning through a lens.
Public Library
The New York Public Library is one of three public libraries in New York City. The imposing building is a genuine oasis of calm amid the hustle of the city — and a really interesting place to shoot.
Some rooms allow photography and others don’t. Flash photography is not permitted anywhere in the building.
It’s absolutely worth a visit regardless. The Public Library is also a recommended free attraction in New York.
Grand Central Station
Grand Central Station is the world-famous terminal in the heart of Manhattan. The enormous main concourse has appeared in countless films and is one of the most popular photography locations in the city.
It’s extremely busy around the clock and often very crowded.
Photography inside is generally permitted. However, if you want to use professional equipment like a tripod, you’ll need a permit from Metro-North’s Corporate & Public Affairs Department (Meredith Conti, Tel. (212) 340-4825, email: mconti@mnr.org).
Apply as early as possible, but at least one week in advance. The permit is free and is typically valid for one hour.
Our tip: That said, you don’t necessarily need a full-size tripod to shoot in the hall. On the balcony at the end of the concourse, there’s a very wide railing where you can comfortably rest your camera. That’s actually where we took our photos — we didn’t want to go through the hassle of applying for a permit.
And if you’re wondering whether we left our camera sitting on the railing completely unattended — the answer is: No, of course not! Basti’s parents were visiting and kept watch for us!
Photographing New York from Above
New York is photogenic from every angle, including from above. Here are the best places to photograph the city from a bird’s-eye view.
Observation Decks for Photographers
There are now five well-known observation decks in New York, all of which are naturally super popular with photographers:
We’ve personally visited all five, and our absolute favorite for photography is The Edge.
The Edge is a standout among the best photo spots in New York — it’s the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, with breathtaking 360° panoramic views over Manhattan, the Hudson River, and far beyond.
The glass walls and transparent glass floor don’t just provide a thrill — they open up unique perspectives for extraordinary shots.
Read our full experience report about The Edge New York
If you’d rather shoot without any glass walls, we recommend Top of the Rock.
Read our full experience report about Top of the Rock
You can also shoot without glass panels at the Empire State Building. It’s noticeably more crowded and cramped up there, though, which makes photography a bit trickier.
On the plus side, the Empire State Building offers a beautiful view of the Flatiron Building.
Read our full experience report about the Empire State Building
The One World Observatory was the least impressive to us from a photography standpoint. The view is less spectacular than from the other decks, and you can only enjoy it from behind glass panels, which makes shooting quite difficult.
If you’re planning a visit to one or more of these observation decks, check out our detailed guide with all the important info:
New York Observation Decks: Everything You Need to Know
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Helicopter Tours for Photographers
The ultimate experience is of course a helicopter flight over New York.
Most tours don’t fly directly over Manhattan — they only go along the rivers. On top of that, you’re always shooting through the helicopter’s windows, and if you’re unlucky, you might end up with a middle seat.
But there are also special helicopter tours for photographers. On these flights, you fly without windows or doors, and the operators have permission to fly directly over Manhattan.
It’s definitely not cheap, but it’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We’ve done two different flights over New York — once with doors and once without. Both were absolutely incredible!
You can find all the details and photos from our flight in our report:
Our Helicopter Tour over New York
Unique Photo Spots in New York
Here are some of our favorite under-the-radar and iconic photography locations in New York.
Dumbo
Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass is a small neighborhood in Brooklyn, best known by its abbreviation Dumbo.
Dumbo is home to one of the most iconic photo subjects in New York. At the corner of Washington Street and Water Street, a pillar of the Manhattan Bridge rises up between the red brick buildings.
Through the lower arch of the bridge, you can actually even spot the Empire State Building in the background.
View from the Manhattan Bridge
If you’re into urban vibes, the Manhattan Bridge is a seriously underrated spot among the best photo spots in New York.
The view toward Downtown is simply stunning. Old brick buildings in the foreground, the glittering skyline with One World Trade Center in the background — it’s a dream shot, especially during the blue hour.
Walk a few steps further and you’re looking out over the East River, with the FDR Drive cutting through the city like a ribbon and the lights reflecting off the water. Two perspectives, one spot.
Photo spot 1 above the Manhattan Bridge on Google Maps
Photo spot 2 above the Manhattan Bridge on Google Maps
Below the Manhattan Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge has even more great shots to offer. From below the bridge, you can frame One World Trade Center perfectly between the bridge’s support columns.
The view of the skyscraper, framed by the massive bridge structure, is truly one of a kind — a great way to capture the connection between the historic bridge and Manhattan’s modern skyline.
Photo spot below the Manhattan Bridge on Google Maps
View from Brooklyn toward Midtown
Another great photography location with a view of the New York skyline sits in Brooklyn, right along the East River.
From here you get a fantastic view of the Midtown Manhattan skyscrapers. At sunset, it’s an absolute showstopper. The Brooklyn Bridge in the foreground, the water and the high-rises in the background — just perfect for capturing the mood of New York.
Whether you want to capture the entire skyline or just details of the city, this spot delivers.
Brooklyn photo spot on Google Maps
Street Photography in New York
What do we love doing most in New York? We just wander through the streets with our cameras, let ourselves drift, and photograph the typical New York life.
We really can’t recommend it enough — grab your camera, intentionally skip the famous landmarks for a change, and just explore. There are great photo opportunities around every corner.
Chinatown, Harlem, the East Village, and SoHo are especially great for a leisurely photo walk. There’s always something to discover in each of these neighborhoods.
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Street Art in New York
If you love photographing street art, you’re going to love New York. The city is honestly one of the best places in the world to see — and photograph — street art.
The absolute hotspot is the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn. But the East Village, SoHo, and Williamsburg are also fantastic for street art photos.
Coney Island
This photo spot was shared by our reader Tina. If you also know a great photography location in New York and would like to share it, we’d love to hear from you.
The Coney Island peninsula is located at the southernmost tip of Brooklyn, right on the Atlantic coast.
There’s a lot to discover photographically on Coney Island. In addition to long beaches, there’s the old Luna Park amusement park and the Russian neighborhood Little Odessa.
Plan to set aside some extra time for a trip out here, as the journey itself takes a while. Take the D or Q subway line to the Stillwell Avenue station.
Camera Gear for New York
Now you know the best photo spots in New York. Let’s take a quick look at what you should definitely have with you for your photo tour.
The Right Lenses
The buildings in New York are enormous and the streets are often narrow. That’s why we recommend bringing a lens with as wide an angle as possible — only then will you truly be able to fit those massive skyscrapers into your frame.
Telephoto lenses and long focal lengths, on the other hand, are something you’ll hardly need. New York is also a great place to head out with just a prime lens.
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Tripod: Yes or No?
Some photo spots in New York are well suited for long exposures, which typically require a tripod. However, it’s not exactly fun to lug a full-size tripod around New York all day.
We recommend going with a lightweight option. We brought our Rollei travel tripod, which is light enough to actually carry around all day.
At many spots, though, you’ll rarely get the chance to set up a tripod anyway — either because it’s prohibited or simply because it’s too crowded.
It’s therefore not a bad idea to just pack a small Gorillapod tripod instead. You can often use it in places where larger tripods are banned, and you won’t have to haul a full-size tripod around all day.
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Accessories
Besides batteries and plenty of memory cards, you’ll want a few extra camera accessories for New York.
Always have something on hand to clean your lenses. We always carry our lens brush, which lets us remove small dust and dirt particles from the lens at any time.
A polarizing filter is also recommended — especially for shots with water in the foreground, to cut reflections. For long exposures, you’ll also want an ND filter.
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