pics : nyc after dark


empire state building, un, chrysler building

when i took the photography class this spring everyone loved taking photos at night. it's a challenge for me. once i get home it's really hard to get me to go out, again. i don't sleep that well and get up early. i don't even like to go out for dinner. but, you can capture wonderful images at night. lots of color and mood.

so, this saturday, we went out to dinner over in long island city (home of julie powell), which also has a wonderful view of manhattan. there were so many people in the park and many had cameras while they waited for sunset at around 8:00 pm. next time, i think it would be interesting if there were clouds and i'll bring a small tripod so i can slow down the shutter speed, let in more light and eliminate all camera shake.

being out in the evening was definitely a lot of fun. it was even interesting just to go to the supermarket at that hour :).

xo, cindy


queensboro bridge.


pepsi sign seen in julie & julia, but during daytime in the movie.


cranes built in the 1920s to load and unload railroad car floats.


detail of the cranes.


detail of the cranes from another side.


times square can be seen just down the middle below the chrysler building. i'd love to go there next time.


this doesn't really fit with this set, but i love neon signs and they make them here.

33 comments:

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Cindy, where do you live? In NYC? Near? I grew up in Poughkeepsie, about 70 miles north on the Hudson, so I hung out my share of times in NYC and I love it, especially during Christmastime. These photos are some of my favorites of yours...not just because of the subject matter, but because the lights sparkle like jewels. Gorgeous!

Cindy said...

Thank you PJ, we live in NYC, in Queens. And, I've been to Poughkeepsie! Thanks for the nice words.

Deniz said...

I love the night photos! you done increadibley well- and all without a tripod?! i hope you'll be going out more at night ;)
the colours and compostition is just really beautiful

Sam said...

Hi!
I have been popping over to your blog for a while now to look at your beautiful pictures! You have a lovely blog...I was lucky enough to visit new york last Sept on my honeymoon.....

Bye for now
Samx

(All the way from Bath ..UK!)

Unknown said...

oooh, these look GREAT, cindy! my night photos are always blurry and crappy, but then again, i'm not a photographer. i love these so much! oh, and how i long to live near manhattan. :)

Joyce said...

The photos are really neat Cindy! I love how you captured the night life. Did you use a flash? How were you able to get the lights of the city and still keep the dark night? I felt as if I was walking right along with you. Thanks! Have a golden day! xoxo

Cindy said...

thanks everyone! joyce, i used the 'automatic no flash' setting on my camera. there are a lot of lights in that area - the city that never sleeps :).

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

lovely pics!! some day soon I hope to make it to NYC...

Cindy said...

hope you do too, krissy!

blue moss said...

i am totally dying to go to nyc and your pics just make me want to go so, so much more!!!
love them

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Very impressive Cindy!
reminded me of my fave movie-Blade Runner...
The last photo is brilliant!!
~xo*

Cindy said...

i hope showing the photos makes you feel like nyc is just outside your door!

i.d. said...

Oh my gosh, these photos are stunning - they could be posters for NYC tourism! Makes me miss the city so much. xx

Anonymous said...

these are wonderful, you really area an amazing photographer, wow!!!!

Candi said...

I love these photos. They're gorgeous! I really need to go to NYC!

I agree with i.d. "these could be posters for NYC tourism!" Hope you're having a great evening :)

Candi of Candace Rose said...

Oh and I loved your comment about Purple. Candace means Ethiopian queen. I feel so royal :)

aimee said...

the city should buy these photos from you! that first shot is picture-postcard-perfect!

julie king said...

cool pics! i'm not one to go out at night either. by 8 or so i really need to have my pajamas on. hee hee i would like to go out late and take some night photos. as always, you've inspired me, dear friend.

Cindy said...

you guys are so awesome! thank you! hope you do it, julie. your pics would be very cool.

Vana said...

amazing! Cindy what setting did you use for them? I am good at taking pictures at night. These look great!

Fifi Flowers said...

NYC is GORGEOUS at night!

Cindy said...

my photography teacher would be very disappointed in me because it used the 'automatic no flash' setting, vana. hey, it was my first time for the most part ;).

i know fifi - there's so much color!

erin said...

these are fabulous! i love the pepsi sign!

Citygirl said...

I love neon.

Thanks for your comments on my Simply Hue profile!

-Adrienne

Julia said...

Oh deary! These are truly incredible! You need to do a book :) Or at least post cards for friends like me who would buy your whole portfolio!

XOXO

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Beautiful pics. I SO want to plan another trip!

Grace@PoeticHome said...

Oh my -- I concur with everyone. These are such fantastic photos Cindy! They are the perfect symbol for New York City.

meg said...

WOW CINDY! Those night time pics stopped me in my tracks! They are so clear and colorful and GORGEOUS! Definitely keep experimenting with night time photography - I can tell you have an eye for it. I would love to learn how to do it myself!

Meg xoxo

Pascale said...

Oh my! These pictures are stunning, Cindy!
Hard to decide which one's my favorite... Instant faves - to use a Flickr term - every single one of them! Great work!

Asya said...

These are gorgeous! You should publish a book...

Suzanne : : S.HOPtalk said...

These photos are beautiful and I'm certain they weren't easy to come by. I dealt with the challenges of shooting at night on our recent trip to Washington D.C.--which is full of stunning scenery at night when all of the memorials are at their best. I hadn't studied up on it, nor did I have a tripod so most of my pics are a bit grainy and out of focus. As a result, I've vowed to learn about it more before our next trip--thanks for the beautiful inspiration.

Cindy said...

suzanne - i studied up on it and still used the camera set on automatic with no flash. no tripod means they probably look fine at this size only! ;).

hmstrjam said...

Love the Pepsi Cola sign with the bridge Cindy! beautiful! Being out in the city at night is awesome! Haven't been out to long island but we'd always walk up 5th ave after seeing a concert at Lincoln Center and it would be almost deserted!
ps I loved your photos channeling Julia Powell/Julia Child a while back..
pss you should definitely see Inglourious Basterds at the Ziegfeld (on 54th st btwn 6th and 7th ave.) on a packed night, incredible!