Original post on Monochromia.
Fuji X100T, fixed 23mm f/2.0 lens, 1/125 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 2000
A hot, humid, hazy mid-afternoon in New York City, and it was the final day of four that I spent last week in this wonderful metropolis. Shortened tourist lines found me 70 stories above street level atop the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, the 10th tallest building in NYC. The Top of the Rock Observation Deck offers spectacular views of Manhattan, which include the Empire State Building (a big selling point for spending $24 to ride the elevator here as opposed to visiting the top of the ESB). Plus the 70th floor deck is completely open-air at the top, with no security fences to shoot through. It’s a great place to take photos.
Despite the oppressive haze, Lower Manhattan was still a wonderful sight. In the distance stands Freedom Tower, at 1776 feet tall, and though barely visible this day, just off to its right on the tip of Liberty Island in Upper New York Bay, Lady Liberty extends her welcome.
Visual Venturing 
I’m a huge fan of black and white photography and this shot is perfect in black and white. I like the contrast and the patterns of the windows!
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Thanks, Kirsten! I have grown to really love B&W photography too. In fact, it’s probably my preferred choice, but that works well with the urban landscapes that I’m finding I really do like to shoot.
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I have grown to love B&W photos as well! I have been going through phases with my photography since I started about 7 months ago. I went through a black and white one back in March. You have inspired me to revisit it 🙂
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Awww, thanks for that 😊
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This tree hugger always worries when distant sites are shrouded in fog and haze, but it sure works in this image, Stacy
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Ha! Thanks, Laurie! Sorry for the late reply. Though I knew I was behind, trying to play catch up makes me see just how far. Yikes! The fog and haze looks much more ominous in the color version and really didn’t make for a great color image. I love when black and white can really make an image come to life!
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fantastic patterns of the city!! Beautiful Stacey!
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Thanks so much, Cybele! LOVED my time there. I actually really miss the energy that surrounds you no matter where you walk (and of course all the photo ops!) 🙂
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🙂
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You are really enjoying the Fuji. Great photograph
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My husband is getting tired of hearing me exclaim each time I use it “I LOVE this camera!” 😉 Thanks, Luis.
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That’s funny. I’m using a Canon M2. Wish it would have a viewfinder. Great little camera and easy to carry.
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Love this in black and white, all those window patterns calling me to New York…. can you be homesick for somewhere else other than your home??
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Absolutely, Kaz! I’m most definitely homesick for NYC! For years, my husband has said he would like to live there, at least for some portion of time. Now, with our youngest going off to college in the fall, it’s an idea that’s not at all far-fetched 🙂
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Fingers crossed for you… it does have some kind of magic I have to say 🙂
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🗽😀
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Brilliant.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Purely amazing!!!!
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Wow, Gavin, thanks so much for that 🙂
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Very nice lighting and layering. But where’s Superman????
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LOL! Too hot and humid for him, I guess 😀
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I also have great shots from up there but yours is spectacular! I love the contrasts and the depth of field in the fog. Magical!
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Juls, the day’s shots really lended themselves to black and white, given the overall lack of color. Converting to black and white and using that as the base really did save an otherwise unremarkable image. I wasn’t certain how well it would turn out, but given the positive feedback I’m getting, I’m delighted 😀 Thanks so much!
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Sometimes, for a reason I have not yet understood, black&white just gives the shot something more than colors do…
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And I love when that happens 😀
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So do I ! There’s something new to discover about a picture we might have seen hundreds of times in color, now in b&w… I love surprises!
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Me too 🙂
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Great Photography Stacy! Now this fall I need to do blog post on “THE BIG APPLE” perhaps a shot of a BIG “EMPIRE” apple. for sauce or a pie! (feel free to delete if you want. 🙂
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LOL! Thanks, Mitch 🙂 Fall and apples go hand-in-hand (and one of my favorite all-time desserts is apple crisp – yum!!)
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I recognize this spot! The B&W is a good approach, nice going. By the way, the new update to Photoshop CC and Adobe Camera RAW includes a De-Haze function. I haven’t tried it yet. This would be a good test, but I’d still keep this the way it is. I think the haze adds an interesting element with the B&W.
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Thanks, Robin! I learned about the dehaze slider after I had posted this. It would have been nice to test the application with this one, but I think you’re right, I wouldn’t have completely removed it. It’s certainly appropriate for a summer photo of the city 🙂
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I just can’t imagine seeing (and photographing) a city that large. Way out of my scope of experience. I’ve been to LA plenty when I was younger, but that is so spread out. Amazing photo.
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Cee, it’s such an amazing city to experience. It’s funny, because I have trouble photographing things on a smaller scale. You are able to “see” things when you shoot your wonderful photos that I just don’t. Ah, the fun of photography – seeing things (or appreciating things) from new perspectives 😀
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I love it, Stacy! There are so many layers. I mean different degrees of darkness. Very nice. And thank you for the tip. Now I know where to go when I visit there 😉
Have a great weekend.
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Ha, you’re very welcome, Helen 😀 Next time, I’d like to go up there at night too. I went to the top of the Empire State Building my first night there, before realizing the benefits of this vantage point. So I guess I just definitely have to go back. Hope you DO get a chance to visit!
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Excellent photo! It lends itself well to monochrome too. I really must go up to Top of the Rock next time I’m in NYC.
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Thanks, Laura, and you absolutely must! I actually did go to the top of the Empire State Building as well (at night) – they’re both very cool experience, but I think I like this view much better 🙂 And you also get a spectacular view of Central Park from here. I’ve seen fabulous photos taken in the fall with all the brilliant autumn colors looking like an oasis in the midst of the city.
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