Photographing New York City Digital Field Guide

Take memorable photos of the most popular attractions in the Big Apple!

Whether using a point-and-shoot or a high-end dSLR, this companion guide provides you with detailed information for taking amazing shots of one of one of the world's most photographed cities. Whether you aim to capture the regal Empire State Building, vibrant Times Square, historic Grand Central Station, massive Central Park, or one of New York City's many other landmarks, this portable resource goes where you go and walks you through valuable tips and techniques for taking the best shot possible.

You'll discover suggested locations for taking photos, recommended equipment, what camera settings to use, best times of day to photograph specific attractions, how to handle weather challenges, and more. In addition, beautiful images of New York City's most breathtaking attractions and recognizable landmarks serve to both inspire and assist you as you embark on an amazing photographic adventure!

• Elevates your photography skills to a new level with photography secrets from professional photographer and SmugMug COO, Andy Williams
• Presents clear, understandable tips and techniques that span all skill levels, using all types of digital cameras, from full-featured compact cameras to high end DSLRs
• Features New York City's main attractions in alphabetical order as well as thumb tabs on the pages so you can quickly and easily access the information you are looking for
• Shares detailed information and insight on critical topics, such as ideal locations to photograph from, the best time of day to shoot, camera equipment to have handy, weather conditions, and optimal camera settings to consider

Whether you're a local familiar with the territory or a visitor seeing the Big Apple for the first time, this handy guide will help you capture fantastic photos!

Tips for Photographing New York City

Be Patient!
New York City can sometimes feel like it is running on fast forward. Everyone is in a hurry and everything is always changing. When you see a shot, don't be tempted to move on immediately after you capture it. The scene will be completely different in a minute. The image of the Flatiron Building below required almost an hour of patience. I took many shots leading up to this one, capturing this shot with the foreground free of people, some NYC taxis for local feel and no other major distractions.

Plan and Be Prepared
Have a plan and do some research. It will be the difference between good shots and great shots. Going out with a blank slate can be fabulous for street photography, but getting that postcard worthy shot of the city is going to take some prep work. Unless you are already familiar with New York City, bring a city and subway map or a guide who knows the area. Google Street View and Google Earth can be fantastic resources to explore the areas you are visiting. To prepare for the picture below, I used a reference to find the direction the sun would rise on this day and plotted it on Google Maps. I was able to arrive and set up my tripod within a few feet of where I ultimately took this shot in Liberty State Park. Arriving at 5AM, that was greatly preferable to running up and down the 1.5-mile long walkway to find the spot.

Top Five Must-Photograph Places in New York City

Empire State Building or Top of the Rock
An obvious must-visit, the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock observatories provide fantastic views of the city from on high.
Click here for a larger image
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Right next door to Rockefeller Center, this Neo-Gothic-style cathedral is beautiful inside and out.
Click here for a larger image
Statue of Liberty
One of the most recognizable icons in New York City and the whole US, Lady Liberty can be photographed from Battery Park, Liberty Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Staten Island Ferry, Ellis Island and of course from inside the statue herself.
Click here for a larger image
Central Park
A vast swath of nature in central Manhattan, Central Park contains many fantastic locations to photograph as well as 36 unique bridges.
Click here for a larger image
Guggenheim Museum
Of all the fantastic museums in the city, none are quite the work of art themselves as the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim.
Click here for a larger image

Take memorable photos of the most popular attractions in the Big Apple!

Whether using a point-and-shoot or a high-end dSLR, this companion guide provides you with detailed information for taking amazing shots of one of one of the world's most photographed cities. Whether you aim to capture the regal Empire State Building, vibrant Times Square, historic Grand Central Station, massive Central Park, or one of New York City's many other landmarks, this portable resource goes where you go and walks you through valuable tips and techniques for taking the best shot possible.

You'll discover suggested locations for taking photos, recommended equipment, what camera settings to use, best times of day to photograph specific attractions, how to handle weather challenges, and more. In addition, beautiful images of New York City's most breathtaking attractions and recognizable landmarks serve to both inspire and assist you as you embark on an amazing photographic adventure!

• Elevates your photography skills to a new level with photography secrets from professional photographer and SmugMug COO, Andy Williams
• Presents clear, understandable tips and techniques that span all skill levels, using all types of digital cameras, from full-featured compact cameras to high end DSLRs
• Features New York City's main attractions in alphabetical order as well as thumb tabs on the pages so you can quickly and easily access the information you are looking for
• Shares detailed information and insight on critical topics, such as ideal locations to photograph from, the best time of day to shoot, camera equipment to have handy, weather conditions, and optimal camera settings to consider

Whether you're a local familiar with the territory or a visitor seeing the Big Apple for the first time, this handy guide will help you capture fantastic photos!

Tips for Photographing New York City

Be Patient!
New York City can sometimes feel like it is running on fast forward. Everyone is in a hurry and everything is always changing. When you see a shot, don't be tempted to move on immediately after you capture it. The scene will be completely different in a minute. The image of the Flatiron Building below required almost an hour of patience. I took many shots leading up to this one, capturing this shot with the foreground free of people, some NYC taxis for local feel and no other major distractions.

Plan and Be Prepared
Have a plan and do some research. It will be the difference between good shots and great shots. Going out with a blank slate can be fabulous for street photography, but getting that postcard worthy shot of the city is going to take some prep work. Unless you are already familiar with New York City, bring a city and subway map or a guide who knows the area. Google Street View and Google Earth can be fantastic resources to explore the areas you are visiting. To prepare for the picture below, I used a reference to find the direction the sun would rise on this day and plotted it on Google Maps. I was able to arrive and set up my tripod within a few feet of where I ultimately took this shot in Liberty State Park. Arriving at 5AM, that was greatly preferable to running up and down the 1.5-mile long walkway to find the spot.

Top Five Must-Photograph Places in New York City

Empire State Building or Top of the Rock
An obvious must-visit, the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock observatories provide fantastic views of the city from on high.
Click here for a larger image
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Right next door to Rockefeller Center, this Neo-Gothic-style cathedral is beautiful inside and out.
Click here for a larger image
Statue of Liberty
One of the most recognizable icons in New York City and the whole US, Lady Liberty can be photographed from Battery Park, Liberty Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Staten Island Ferry, Ellis Island and of course from inside the statue herself.
Click here for a larger image
Central Park
A vast swath of nature in central Manhattan, Central Park contains many fantastic locations to photograph as well as 36 unique bridges.
Click here for a larger image
Guggenheim Museum
Of all the fantastic museums in the city, none are quite the work of art themselves as the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim.
Click here for a larger image