If you're wondering where New York City got the nickname, "the city that never sleeps," just take one look at Times Square. Full of chaos, noise, and lights, Times Square will always be of the most unique places to capture photos in NYC. It is an electric hum of activity for all ages, splashed in neon and vibrating on the highest frequency.
Plan
Overview
Skill level
Easy
Accessbility
Public Location
Hours
Anytime
Fee
Free
Pack
Normal lens (24-70mm)
Good walking shoes
How to get there
N40° 45' 40.0925"W73° 59' 03.5594"
Manhattan is a walkable city, and Times Square is about as central as it gets. Nearly every subway line stops here, as well.
I took this photo on Broadway between W 50th and W 49th streets, looking south on Broadway. Keep an eye out for the vertical Time Square billboard sign.
Tips
When to go
Best season
All months
Best time
Night, Midnight+
Anytime is a good time to visit. Winter does run the risk of snow, but that could also make for a dramatic shot in Times Square.
This shot was so intense because of the contrast of the bright lights against the dark sky. That said, Times Square is an exciting subject any time of day—and it's nearly always busy! The area is even more magical during the rain or snow at night.
Field tips
Be mindful of traffic! It's a very busy area.
By shooting at a higher focal length (>65mm), you can compress the length of broadway street and magnify the size of the billboards in your frame.
Get creative with your shot by trying slower shutter exposures while handheld. This is how I created my moody blur effect in my image; I used a 1/4 sec shutter speed.
Current weather
New York, NY
Clear
85o
F
Mon
85o
70o
Tue
79o
65o
Wed
77o
65o
Thu
78o
63o
Fri
75o
65o
Blue Hour
09:49
85o
Clear
Sunrise
10:17
85o
Clear
Golden Hour
23:04
85o
Clear
Sunset
23:41
85o
Clear
Do nearby
A hive of activity, Times Square always has something to do. Catch a Broadway show, visit Madame Tussauds, or simply sit and people-watch.
From Times Square it's easy to get just about anywhere else in Manhattan. You can walk to Central Park, Herald Square, Columbus Circle, and many other famous New York City landmarks.