How to Photography New York City at Night – Architecture.
When you photograph in the urban environment, it’s all about the shapes, shadows and how they combine to elicit an emotion.
One of my favorite emotions after the happiness of puppies and ice cream, is foreboding. The darker, the better.
In this instance, I’m on the steps of one of New York City’s most beautiful architectural landmarks, the New York Public Library on Fifth Ave.
There I was, wandering around, minding my own business (OK, I never really mind my own business when I’m wandering with a camera) when I decided to explore what the street and building lights were doing with shadows.
And there it was, a gorgeous shadow of the large Grecian urn, or whatever it’s actually called, thrown across the wall behind it. And then, there was that fantastic chair with its own distinct shadow on the wall.
What’s cool is you can’t really see the shape of the full urn, or is it a giant amphora, by itself. But the shadow tells us all we need to know about what is really there.
This shot works so well with all of the geometric shapes, shadows, highlights and content. And the very best part, is that it really DOES like like somebody can get murdered there. Or is about to . . .
So when you’re shooting in at night, search for the shadows, and embrace them.
Thanks and happy shooting,
Bob Estremera