Arch Diner & Ralph Avenue

The Arch Diner is on the corner of Flatlands Ave and Ralph Ave near the Canarsie neighborhood in Brooklyn. To get this view, I stood across the street on the southeast corner of the intersection. The easiest way to get there is by car, but you can also take a subway and the bus. By Subway and Bus: - Closest Station: Canarsie-Rockaway Pwky (L train) - Take the B6 bus to Ralph Ave/Flatlands Ave (11 stops) - Walk south on Ralph Ave and the destination will be on your left

I prefer to go to this spot after it's rained to get the reflection of the neon sign on the ground, but you can photograph this spot all year.

Once the sun goes down, the "Arch Diner" will be lit up, so visit at night around 11-12pm when there isn't a lot of traffic.

Pay attention to the puddles in the street. Utilizing the reflections can change your whole composition, so experiment with it!

If you want to add a human element to this photo, wait for a subject to walk or drive by in the frame.

Play up the 80s/90s vibe of the diner. When I took this picture, I loved it because I thought I got a very "Stranger Things" vibe. The neon sign — and it's reflection — creates a special element that can transport you back into time.

Eat at the diner. I usually come here for breakfast — they make the best pancakes — but dinner is good too. They serve traditional diner food 24/7, so you can come by anytime.

If you have a car, check out the rest of the neighborhood. I like to scope out certain locations during the day and then when the weather conditions are right, I know exactly where to go.

There's a spot at Canarsie Pier that I love to go to for black and white photos. It's southeast of the Arch Diner.