Manhattanhenge, the name given to a Stonehenge-style phenomenon that occurs twice a year in New York City, is happening this week. Want to check it out? Here’s how.
On May 29 we’ll be getting a lesser version, and the day after on May 30 we’ll be seeing the full show. This will occur at around 8:10 p.m. Timing is one thing, but the real trick is finding a spot that looks onto New Jersey. Any clear street should do, but keep in mind that you may have to be in the middle of the street to get the shot. This is hardly pedestrian friendly, so any opportunity to get to higher ground is advised. Pershing Square has an overpass that will work wonderfully, as well as the Tudor City overpass near the United Nations building.
You need not rely on Manhattan either — there’s plenty of opportunity for a good shot from Queens. I’ll be seeing what I can get from Greenpoint and Williamsburg, in Brooklyn. I figure if I can line up with 14th Street in Manhattan, a rather wide street, I’ll have a chance of getting something decent. A hyperlapse maybe? We’ll need to see what the weather permits. It’s Monday morning as of writing this and the clouds are expected to stay all day, which sucks because the long weekend is perfect for this. If this round doesn't work out, the same event will be happening on July 12, with the half sun on July 13.
Feel free to post your shots in the comments or share them with the community. I’m on the lookout for new and interesting perspectives of the phenomenon, and any suggestions would obviously be welcome. The New York Times has a comprehensive guide to it all, down to the minute, but above all I hope everyone can go out and enjoy the evening.
[via NYT, World Science Festival]
Maybe we'll see some unique shots this time around.
I went to the Tudor City bridge for last July's event but I wasn't prepared at all. I think I got there at about 4:30 and the West side of the street had already been packed, so I was on the curb of the East side of the street. Hours later, sunset happens, suddenly people are standing on folding chairs in the middle of the street, people are now standing on cars, people are raising phones indiscriminately above their heads, etc.
I got some decent BTS-like pictures through all of that and a couple of overall ok shots, but that was a learning experience. Looks like bad weather this week so perhaps I'll try again in July, and perhaps I'll be more prepared.
This happens in Chicago, except it's at sunrise.
One of these days, I want to photograph Manhattanhenge. I had a year long project in South Carolina where I photographed the first sunrise over Columbia of the season from the Lake Murray Dam; the position of the sunrise changes over the year.