Everyone thinks they know the shot. You've seen it a thousand times—that dizzying, neon-soaked vertical frame of the "Center of the Universe." But honestly, most images of Times Square New York City you see on Instagram or in travel brochures are kinda lying to you. They capture the glow, sure. They don't capture the smell of overpriced halal carts or the weirdly aggressive energy of a guy in a dirty Elmo suit trying to hustle you for a five-dollar selfie.
If you’re looking for the real deal, you have to look past the postcard stuff.
Times Square isn't just a place; it's a massive, glowing, high-definition optical illusion. It’s located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. Since the first electric ad went up for Trimble Whiskey back in 1904, this patch of Manhattan has been the most photographed "living" advertisement on the planet. But capturing it well? That’s a whole different beast.
The Evolution of the Glow: Why Old Images of Times Square New York City Look Better
Go back fifty years. Look at some archival images of Times Square New York City from the 1970s. It’s grimy. It’s dangerous. It’s actually interesting. You’ll see the old marquee for the Howard Johnson’s or the legendary (and vanished) Bond Clothing store sign that used to feature actual waterfalls.
Today, it’s all LED.
Everything is crisp. Everything is 8K. While that’s great for the advertisers like Disney or Coca-Cola, it actually makes photography harder. Digital sensors often freak out at the sheer amount of light. If you’ve ever tried to take a photo there on your phone and ended up with a washed-out white blob where the billboards should be, you know the struggle. The dynamic range required to capture the dark asphalt of the street and the blinding light of a 40-foot Samsung ad simultaneously is astronomical.
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The Midnight Moment
One of the coolest things nobody talks about is the "Midnight Moment." Every night from 11:57 PM to midnight, the digital billboards synchronize. They stop showing ads for insurance or broadway shows and display a single work of contemporary art. It’s the world’s largest, longest-running digital art exhibition. If you want images of Times Square New York City that don't look like everyone else's, that’s when you go. It’s surreal. For three minutes, the "Great White Way" actually has a soul again.
Getting the Shot Without the Clichés
Stop standing on the Red Steps. Seriously.
The TKTS booth red steps are the most overused vantage point in the city. You’ll just get a sea of heads and the back of a tourist's jacket. Instead, try these spots that actual NYC photographers like Humza Deas or trashhand have utilized to create something with actual depth:
- The Reflection Play: After a rainstorm, the puddles on 44th Street act like mirrors. If you get low to the ground—like, camera-touching-the-wet-pavement low—you get a double dose of neon that looks like something out of Blade Runner.
- The Long Exposure: Use a tripod (if you can dodge the crowds) or a steady ledge. A 2-second shutter speed turns the chaotic mass of tourists into a ghostly blur while the buildings stay sharp. It captures the feeling of the place better than a frozen snapshot ever could.
- The Duffy Square Perspective: Father Duffy stands there in bronze, looking south. Framing him against the madness creates a nice juxtaposition of "old New York" versus the "new commercialism."
The Legal Reality of Taking Images of Times Square New York City
Here is a bit of a reality check. Just because it’s a public space doesn’t mean everything goes.
Commercial photography usually requires a permit from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. If you’re just a hobbyist with a DSLR, the NYPD usually won’t bother you. But the second you bring out a tripod, a lighting rig, or a model, you’re on the radar. The "street performers"—those aforementioned Elmos and Captain Americas—are technically "free" to take photos with, but they will demand money. In 2016, the city created "Designated Activity Zones" (the teal-painted boxes) to corral these performers. If you want a clean shot of the architecture, stay outside those boxes.
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Also, be aware of the "Naked Cowboy." He’s a staple. He’s also a brand. Taking his photo is fine, but using it for a commercial ad without his consent? That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Technical Tips for the Modern Photographer
ISO is your enemy here.
Most people think "it's night, I need high ISO." Wrong. There is so much light in Times Square that it’s actually brighter than a well-lit office building. Keep your ISO low (100 or 200) to keep the grain out of the blacks. Use a narrow aperture ($f/8$ or $f/11$) if you want those "starburst" effects on the streetlights.
White balance is the other killer. The billboards use different types of LEDs. Some are "warm," some are "cool." If you leave your camera on Auto White Balance, the colors will look sickly. Set it to "Daylight" (approx. 5500K). This preserves the intended colors of the ads and keeps the New York night looking like... well, night.
The Secret Vantage Points
Want the view from above without paying $40 for a tourist trap observation deck?
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Go to the Marriott Marquis.
There’s a lounge called "The View" (though check if it’s currently open/renovating, as NYC is always changing). Even the glass elevators in the lobby offer a stunning, rising perspective of the square. Another "pro" tip is the R Lounge at the Renaissance Hotel. It has a floor-to-ceiling window that looks straight down 7th Avenue. It’s arguably the best seat in the house for seeing the "bow-tie" shape of the intersection where Broadway and 7th meet.
Common Misconceptions About the Lights
A lot of people think the lights never change. They do.
The signage is regulated by the "Times Square Signage Zoning." This actually requires buildings to have a certain amount of luminous surface area. It’s not just a choice by the landlords; it’s literally the law. If a building in the district doesn't have enough neon or LED, they can get fined. This ensures that the images of Times Square New York City taken today look just as bright as the ones taken ten years ago, even as technology shifts from neon tubes to digital panels.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you're heading down there with a camera, do this:
- Arrive at Blue Hour: This is the 20-minute window right after sunset. The sky is a deep cobalt blue, which provides a beautiful contrast to the yellow and red neon. Once the sky goes pitch black, the contrast is often too harsh for good photos.
- Look for the Details: Don't just take the wide shot. Look for the "Ghostbusters" firehouse nearby or the details on the Knickerbocker Hotel.
- Check the "Cross-Walk" View: Stand on the island near 46th street (where the George M. Cohan statue is). It gives you a clear line of sight all the way down the canyon.
- Use a Wide-Angle Lens: A 16mm or 24mm lens is almost mandatory to capture the scale. If you're on a phone, use the .5x lens.
- Watch Your Bag: Seriously. You’re distracted by the lights; pickpockets are distracted by your wallet. Keep your gear close.
Times Square is chaotic, loud, and frankly, a lot of locals hate it. But there is no denying its visual power. When you get that one perfect shot where the light hits the pavement just right and the crowd seems to move in unison, you realize why it’s the most photographed place on earth.
To get the most out of your session, start at the north end near 47th street and work your way south. This direction keeps the sun (if it's daytime) or the primary glow of the biggest screens at your back or side, providing better illumination for your subjects. Forget about the "perfect" empty shot—Times Square is about the people. Embrace the blur and the bustle.