Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Photographers in Long Island City
Top Things to Do in New York City for Photographers in Long Island City
1. Gantry Plaza State Park
A cinematic waterfront park with restored gantries, long wooden piers, and uninterrupted views of Midtown Manhattan. Lines, textures, and reflections abound, with space to compose everything from minimalist frames to sweeping panoramas.
✓ Why Go:
It’s LIC’s signature skyline stage: East River light, industrial relics, and the Chrysler/Empire State Building stack up for classic New York shots without the Midtown crowds.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise for calm water and soft pastels; sunset and blue hour for glowing towers and pier leading lines.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use a 3-stop ND to smooth river texture from Pier 1 and frame through the steel gantries for a natural vignette.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Photographers call it a must-shoot location—easy access, dramatic views, and plenty of room for tripods.
2. Pepsi-Cola Sign
The neon Pepsi-Cola script, landmarked and massive, floats above the riverfront lawns—an irresistible graphic element against the Manhattan skyline.
✓ Why Go:
Iconic signage meets skyline symmetry; perfect for night photography and creative silhouettes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Blue hour and night for the sign’s glow; foggy mornings for moody negative space.
✓ Insider Tip:
Shoot a low angle from the lawn to isolate the sign against the sky, then step back to layer it with the Empire State Building.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Widely loved for its nostalgia and bold color—many say it’s their favorite LIC frame.
3. Hunters Point South Park
A contemporary waterfront park with a dramatic cantilevered overlook, native grasses, and sinuous paths that create strong foreground interest for skyline shots.
✓ Why Go:
Architectural forms and natural plantings give you layers and depth—ideal for environmental portraits and landscape-city hybrids.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour through blue hour; also striking in winter with bare grasses and long shadows.
✓ Insider Tip:
From the prow at the southern end, use a 24–70mm to compress the skyline and frame the bridges to the south.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors praise the clean sightlines and photogenic landscaping; a favorite for engagement sessions.
4. MoMA PS1
A former Romanesque school turned cutting-edge art space, with textured brick walls, bold installations, and a sun-washed courtyard—catnip for editorial and architectural shooters.
✓ Why Go:
Contrasts of old and new offer rich backdrops; galleries often feature color-forward, graphic exhibits that photograph beautifully.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning for interior light; afternoons for warm courtyard shadows.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the stair landings and window bays for layered compositions; check current exhibits for color palettes that match your concept.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Creatives rave about the textures and experimental vibe—endlessly inspiring for stylized shoots.
5. Queens Public Library at Hunters Point
Steven Holl’s sculptural library slices into the skyline with concrete facades, carved windows, and river-facing terraces—minimalist geometry in every direction.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a masterclass in light and form; those trapezoidal cutouts frame Midtown like a picture within a picture.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Afternoon to catch sunlight raking across the concrete; twilight for glowing interior volumes.
✓ Insider Tip:
From the north terrace, align window cutouts with the Chrysler Building for a graphic skyline frame.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Highly praised as LIC’s most photogenic new landmark—quiet, contemplative, and striking.
6. SculptureCenter
A former trolley repair shop transformed into an art venue—raw concrete, steel, and negative space create moody, editorial-ready scenes.
✓ Why Go:
Industrial bones plus contemporary art equals atmospheric frames that feel authentically LIC.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays mid-afternoon for quieter galleries and soft window light.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a fast prime (f/1.8 or faster) for low-light interior abstracts without flash.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Artists and photographers appreciate the intimate scale and textural backdrops.
7. Court Square Diner
A classic neon-lit diner tucked under the 7 train—chrome, color, and the rumble of elevated tracks for cinematic, retro frames.
✓ Why Go:
Night shooters love the neon reflections on wet pavement and the train streaks for long exposures.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Blue hour into night; rainy evenings for reflections.
✓ Insider Tip:
Time a long exposure as a 7 train passes to capture light trails above the diner frontage.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved by locals and visiting photographers for its old-school New York atmosphere.
8. The Foundry
A 19th-century metal foundry turned event space draped in ivy, with brick archways and a glasshouse—romantic textures for portraits and fashion.
✓ Why Go:
From the street or with permission inside, it delivers that weathered-industrial LIC look in spades.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon for warm tones on the brick; spring and summer when the ivy is lush.
✓ Insider Tip:
Even if not attending an event, the exterior facade on 9th St makes a great editorial backdrop—bring a 50mm for clean compression.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Frequently cited as a dream location for couples’ shoots and styled portraits.
9. 5Pointz LIC
New towers built on the site of the legendary graffiti mecca now feature curated murals and bold public art along Jackson Avenue—street color with LIC heritage.
✓ Why Go:
Graphic walls and reflective glass give you urban contrast and punchy palettes for fashion or street sets.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning for even light on the murals; golden hour for color pop and soft shadows.
✓ Insider Tip:
Work the corners along Davis St and Jackson Ave to layer murals with trains on the elevated 7 line.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Street shooters appreciate the nod to LIC’s graffiti roots with clean, accessible walls.
10. Culture Lab LIC at The Plaxall Gallery
A waterfront-adjacent arts hub hosting exhibitions, outdoor installations, and community art—varied textures from industrial sheds to polished galleries.
✓ Why Go:
You’ll find rotating art plus gritty-meets-creative exteriors—great for environmental portraits and BTS-style frames.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekends for open galleries; late afternoon outside for warm rim light on the corrugated facades.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the yard for temporary sculptures and use a 35mm to capture artists at work without crowding.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the approachable, community-forward vibe and ever-changing visuals.
