Manhattan Rooftop Portrait At Night

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Here is a rooftop portrait I took a couple weeks back of music manager Paul Gasparrini from a New York City rooftop on a beautiful night. The clouds were thick and low creating an eerie glow in the sky. I took these images without tripod and without any lights. Just took some controlled breathing, slow shutter speeds, and leaning against solid objects for stability. No serious photoshopping happening above, just some dodging and burning. Burned using the “shadow” setting on the city buildings and the “midtones” setting on the sky. I think I would like to do more rooftop photos of the city at night in the near future. Landscape photography has never really been my thing, but you have to shake it up sometimes, right?

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93 Responses to “Manhattan Rooftop Portrait At Night”

  1. I love NYC from above…such a stunning city to photograph at any time of day, but especially at night…

  2. I agree! NYC is always the nicest city I’ve loved so far. It’s really a very gorgeous city.

  3. Brandie says:

    Great shot! Did you enhance his reflection at all or was it naturally that clear? It looks amazing!

  4. Great job! These shots are amazing. Love the B&W effect of the first one. great reflection.

  5. earthymind says:

    Awesome photograph…just too beautiful…the reflection captured is just simply superb!!cheers!

  6. vivi says:

    Sick shot!!!

  7. dayna says:

    This is seriously the most breath taking picture I’ve ever seen. Great job!!! I love NYC and the big cities bright lights were perfectly captured

  8. andresc78 says:

    I truly love NYC. I wouldnt live there but I go at least twice every year just to hang out and take pictures of course !!

  9. Frank White says:

    Absolutely surreal! The shot of that view is mesmerizing!
    Every aspect of it from his refection to the way you captured the eeriness of that sky
    makes it a classic New York moment.
    Is that the West Side!?
    This could actually pass for The King of New York Part II
    movie advertisement.

  10. Vince Bardong says:

    This picture is phenominal. The way the image is gleaming back from the glass is amazing. I love the backdrop of the angry skies and the big city lights. Great job!!

  11. Antonio says:

    WOW! If a picture speaks 1000 words this one speaks 10,000.. SICK!

  12. Christina Quiles says:

    Great shot of Paul!!. Being that no tripod was involved shows TALENT. Great work!!

  13. giacomo says:

    The pic is great and, Paulo you r looking good pal. Molto bello

  14. AntoninaaaaItalia says:

    Very caaaaaa-yuuuutteeee<3 classyclassssyyy

  15. VTONE says:

    GQ Status – very nice

  16. mistercellaneous says:

    Beau-ti-ful

  17. Ivan D says:

    Those are very nice photos Douglas. I took a similar photo overlooking Manhattan and the Hudson River from the top of the Jersey City Hyatt.

    I love the way you’ve captured that unreal glow in your second shot.

    Thanks for sharing.

  18. Stan says:

    Doug it was great meeting you on the boat and at Ants place on Sunday.

    Pauly looking good. Look out here he comes.

  19. Those pictures are both amazing! Thanks for sharing them

  20. eurybe08 says:

    Now that’s what I call a breathe taking view. The photo looks great.

  21. gopal says:

    Hi every one

    Love photography ever.

  22. What an awesome portrait! Love that backdrop!

  23. amybeth1 says:

    Beautiful photo, NYC is the greatest city in the world but my heart continues to break when I see the skyline.

  24. Ishana says:

    That looks fantastic! I love the reflection in the window. Great job, and congrats on FP!

  25. sayitinasong says:

    Beautiful, beautiful!! I’m heading over to your website right now!

  26. ysoglum says:

    Great angle, looks like your shouldering this pic through the glass. Makes both the subject and the city look important. Good job.

  27. dcwright02 says:

    real nice shot! great job!

  28. Just when I think I have seen NYC from every angle possible, a new one comes alone. This is stunning.

  29. boho fangirl says:

    You are an excellent photographer! Clap! Clap! ;)

  30. wiehafen says:

    Awesome style. You are living “the dream” sir.

  31. For someone from a place where one can see shadows from starlight, the nightscape of New York is intimidating – another world, entirely. It’s beautiful.

  32. pbandchutney says:

    Amazing! Really nice work!

  33. inkgwen says:

    Stunning. Almost looks fake. :)

  34. Murray Hill says:

    I have been to NYC 5 times. It’s an amazing city and your shot shows it. This guy from the Canadian prairies can’t wait to visit again. Thanks for bringing back some memories.

  35. Hannah says:

    Are these taken from the Top of the Rock? I was just there this summer, taking shots of the skyline–what a breathtaking view. It’s hard to capture the experience in a photograph because when you’re actually there, there’s something special about it being all around you. Still, these are beautiful.

  36. So beautiful, these pictures. Sometimes I forget about how beautiful and amazing NYC is. :D

  37. egaegiego says:

    great picts.. never been to NY,, but hopefully i will someday..

  38. Thank you for capturing the other-worldliness of Manhattan. In the few years I had lived there, I can’t recall a time of day or night when I wasn’t awed by its sense of unreality.

    I had watched the city wrapped in mist as if sinking into a legend from an insulated window looking East. I saw the opaque sky ripped like a dome, letting out heavy vapors that suffused the horizon. And through the mist from the same window, I watched it move in the wind, and sniffed its aroma from hairline cracks. But I could not decide whether I lived the legend or the dream.

  39. I love the balance of the clouds and building lights’ contrasts on the second photo. The light management is also a killer. Such a good photographer. :)

  40. Awesome photo. I love city skylines and I love NewYork city!

  41. livvy30 says:

    Amazing! NYC has such a fabulous skyline that I don’t think anyone could ever get tired of photographing it!

  42. [...] Here is a rooftop portrait I took a couple weeks back of music manager Paul Gasparrini from a New York City rooftop on a beautiful night. The clouds were thick and low creating an eerie glow in the sky. I took these images without tripod and without any lights. Just took some controlled breathing, slow shutter speeds, and leaning against soli … Read More [...]

  43. [...] Here is a rooftop portrait I took a couple weeks back of music manager Paul Gasparrini from a New York City rooftop on a beautiful night. The clouds were thick and low creating an eerie glow in the sky. I took these images without tripod and without any lights. Just took some controlled breathing, slow shutter speeds, and leaning against soli … Read More [...]

  44. MB says:

    Very nice shot. I love the reflection in the window.

  45. indiginz says:

    Amazing light, fantastic

  46. setoelkahfi says:

    greawt shot dude,
    I just can sing this song..
    ” if I could live in New york, if I could live in New York, “

  47. Uri Dori says:

    Indeed, nothing like NYC. Great photo!

  48. Caitlin says:

    It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to visit NYC, and this just reinforces the desire. Oh, the longing!

  49. Now this would be something I’ll like to do on my next trip to NYC. Skyline looks gorgeous!
    Great photo!

  50. joshsuds says:

    Great pictures!

  51. klickarticles says:

    Nice and beautiful

  52. minimarty says:

    The portrait evokes a moody, thoughtful tone–quite a few variables to juggle, from your description. Then the color shot; there are landscapes and then there are landscapes…

    Please feel free to check out my photos/designs at minimarty.wordpress.com.

    ciao

  53. Tri says:

    awesome rooftop photo! love it! i’ve been wanting to take rooftop pics, haven’t had a chance yet! this is rad!

  54. That picture is absolutely stunning!
    I wish I was this good at photography, that is a seriously beautiful image!

  55. Wow! As a country girl living in the city, sometimes I find it hard to see the beauty in the manmade buildings around me. But your pics really have given a beautiful picture of Manhattan. Thanks!

    http://meandmybiro.wordpress.com

  56. I like the photo of Paul Gasparrini, and was especially glad to see someone other than me shoots with nothing other than a steady hand. Folks are frequently trying to tell me my flash didnt go off, as if this is some revelation. If the light is perfect, why ruin it? It’s amazing what you can get without anything but patience.

  57. mimokhair says:

    Haunting photo. Love the reflection

  58. Yohansen89 says:

    I love the feeling of accomplishment in this photo. I’m about to start the process of trying to attain a writing internship in NYC this spring with an advertising agency/PR firm/magazine, etc. and if someone asked me “Where do you want to be in 10 years?” THIS picture could sum it up. Right now, I love pictures of New York at ground level, since I’ll be so new to the city when I (hopefully) move there after graduation, and after becoming a New Yorker and living to every extent in the city through my career, I want to look down on the skyline and feel my accomplishment.

    Great photo

  59. Nice Pics! Mason Jefferson President of the United States

  60. beautiful photos mate. haven’t been to New York, but would certainly love to. going to spend some more time surfing your blog. nice work!!!

  61. Manhattan Rooftop Portrait At Night « Realidad Alternativa says:

    [...] 0 Here is a rooftop portrait I took a couple weeks back of music manager Paul Gasparrini from a New York City rooftop on a beautiful night. The clouds were thick and low creating an eerie glow in the sky. I took these images without tripod and without any lights. Just took some controlled breathing, slow shutter speeds, and leaning against soli … Read More [...]

  62. Bennitt says:

    Great photo, Doug. Really impressive.

  63. Rohan says:

    Breath taking photos dude!!n nice blog layout to complement the pics

  64. bandsmoke says:

    Great pics, we were “in town” many years ago – it’s a fabulous city!

  65. flowershoes says:

    Cool blog ! :)
    i am new here, maybe you will check out mine? : )♥

  66. [...] Here is a rooftop portrait I took a couple weeks back of music manager Paul Gasparrini from a New York City rooftop on a beautiful night. The clouds were thick and low creating an eerie glow in the sky. I took these images without tripod and without any lights. Just took some controlled breathing, slow shutter speeds, and leaning against soli … Read More [...]

  67. MaryJean Cottone says:

    As an inspiring Photogragher, I love learning about how to take Great pictures…
    I love the NY Scenery..
    I am also a Friend of Daniela and Eddie and the kids….

  68. mct88 says:

    This is absolutely gorgeous!

  69. Sharon says:

    AMAZING!!!! I’m jealous!!!

  70. flowershoes says:

    feel free to visit my blog, right now i am looking for a penpal (a)

  71. Tasha says:

    Awesome pic!!!! So kool, so New Yory, so Pauly.

  72. Tasha says:

    Love it !

  73. good article, I like it

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