Snapping Williamsburg Brooklyn
Photographing Williamsburg, Brooklyn can capture the neighborhood's eclectic mix of architecture, street art, and people. The area offers a visual feast for photographers with its vibrant colors, textures, and juxtaposition of old and new.
As one of the largest neighborhoods in New York City, Williamsburg presents a vast canvas for exploration. This guide provides helpful tips for capturing the western part of this vibrant district.
Before undergoing hyper-gentrification, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was a blue-collar neighborhood inhabited by a diverse mix of ethnicities, including Italians, Polish, Jews, and Latinos commonly known as Los Sures. The district was predominantly residential, adorned with clusters of brownstones and tenements, while the waterfront was characterized by industrial warehouses like the Domino Sugar Refinery — an iconic landmark that pays homage to the area's vibrant sugar industry history.
Williamsburg was known for its lively street life, mom-and-pop shops, and resilient residents. Despite its challenges, the community had a strong sense of identity and a rich cultural history.
The transformation of Williamsburg was spurred by struggling artists seeking cheaper rents after being pushed out of pricier Manhattan neighborhoods. Their iconic works and the thriving arts scene they cultivated peaked in the late 1990s, and by the early 2000s, the neighborhood had transformed into a sought-after destination. Williamsburg helped solidify Brooklyn's expanding global reputation, and this spotlight ushered in rapid changes that have rendered the neighborhood almost unrecognizable.
Presently, it has emerged as a sought-after haven for both residents and visitors, boasting a plethora of attractions ranging from dynamic street art, cozy coffee shops, and artisanal bakeries to trendy restaurants, cinemas, vibrant bars, nightlife, music venues, upscale hotels, stylish boutiques, and upmarket corporate chains. With its high rents, enticing amenities, and enviable proximity to Manhattan (just a subway stop away), Williamsburg has captivated an international community of young professionals and affluent families.
Street Art and People
Williamsburg’s colorful street art is a distinct feature in the neighborhood
Naveen Shakil Mural in South Williamsburg
Williamsburg is known for its unique and colorful street art, which is scattered throughout the neighborhood. Prominent street artists from around the world have created murals on building facades throughout the district. Internationally-known artists such as Eduardo Kobra, D*Face, and Naveen Shakil have murals sprinkled throughout. Explore the streets on foot and capture murals and graffiti.
The Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg sports a striking D*Face mural
The buildings overlooking bustling Bedford Avenue are noteworthy for their colorful street art. Moreover, Bedford Avenue is a great spot for people-watching, as it attracts heavy foot traffic. The avenue is lined with restaurants, cafes, trendy shops, corporate chains, and street vendors offering an exceptional opportunity to capture intimate portraits and snapshots.
On Bedford
Williamsburg is an excellent choice for photo shoots.
Venture to South Williamsburg to get pics of some of the most striking street art in NYC. The "Mona Lisa of Williamsburg" is a standout. The 4-story mural combines the work of Steven Paul and Colossal Media to create a striking piece backdropped by the Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan’s iconic skyline.
The Mona Lisa of Williamsburg
Street art spans the neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
South Williamsburg
Explore the Parks
Williamsburg is home to several of Brooklyn's best parks, which offer everything from riverfront Manhattan views to some of the best people-watching in NYC.
Marsha P. Johnson Park, nestled along Kent Avenue between North 7th and North 10th, provides breathtaking shots of skyscrapers along the East River. The park also hosts Smorgasborg, a buzzing Saturday outdoor food market that attracts an eclectic mix of foodies and top NYC food trucks. Capture all the action at the park to immortalize the liveliness of the neighborhood against the backdrop of the towering Manhattan Skyline.
Domino Park is an expansive outdoor space that also offers beautiful Manhattan views as well as everything from beach volleyball, bocce courts, fountains, and a playing field to dog runs and restaurants. Ascend the teal tower to capture the action in the park and spectacular views of the historic Domino Sugar Refinery with its distinctive Domino Sugar Sign, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Manhattan Skyline.
Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment overlooking Domino Park
The Taco Cina sign is a great option for larger than life photos
McCarren Park is a top choice for sports and action shots. The park serves as Williamsburg's communal backyard, attracting locals who make use of its amenities such as a running track, handball courts, pickleball courts, sports fields, tennis courts, dog runs, playground, and swimming pool. McCarren attracts a cross section of New Yorkers, making it an incredible place to get a glimpse of the city’s diversity.
McCarran Park is a great spot for track workouts, soccer matches, basketball, tennis and much more
Take some time to explore the park to capture the greenery, surrounding architecture, and the frenetic activity around you. Since New Yorkers never do anything half-heartedly, you can photograph everything from heated track competitions to spirited soccer matches. McCarran Park connects the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Greenpoint and is bordered by Bayard Street, Lorimer Street, Nassau Avenue, and North 12th Street.
Tune Squad Mural at Rodney Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Another gem is Rodney Park North, a compact oasis in South Williamsburg with multiple basketball courts. In 2019, the courts were repainted with "Tune Squad" street art in anticipation of Space Jam: A New Legacy starring NBA legend LeBron James. The colorful court is still striking despite years of use and is great for unique photos of street ballers in action or fashion shoots. Rodney Park North is on Rodney Street between South 4th and South 5th.
Be mindful that Domino Park, Marsha P. Johnson Park, and McCarran Park are popular destinations, so be prepared to dodge crowds during peak hours.
Williamsburg Bridge is one of the most interesting ways to access the neighborhood
Williamsburg Bridge
Walking the Williamsburg Bridge is highly recommended. The steel marvel is adorned with graffiti ranging from whimsical to thought-provoking. It also offers striking views of the Manhattan skyline, with unique perspectives of One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building visible from the south and north sides, respectively. The bridge is great for honing your street photography skills as a colorful cast of locals commute across it throughout the day. Williamsburg Bridge is also a top option for photo shoots as it perfectly frames subjects in a gritty scene.
Events and Festivals
Williamsburg hosts numerous festivals
Williamsburg hosts several of NYC's best performances and festivals at venues such as the Williamsburg Music Center. Hone your event photography skills and show off your ability to photograph live performances and the excitement of attendees.
Take the Train
Williamsburg is accessible via multiple MTA New York City Subway lines, namely the L, G, J, M, and Z trains. Among these lines, the Marcy Avenue J/M/Z train station stands out as one of the most picturesque stops in New York City, providing elevated panoramas of the renowned Williamsburg Bridge, historic Williamsburg Savings Bank, and the neighborhood's distinct architectural features.
Labor Day Weekend in DUMBO
One of the city’s more aesthetically pleasing historical districts, DUMBO’s converted warehouses, cobblestone streets, pristine waterfront, and majestic bridge views are immortalized in dozens of films, television series, and classic photographs
Labor Day Weekend in Brooklyn Bridge Park. New York, 2020
Holidays have been a blur in 2020 as COVID-19 continues to alter the ways we mark the passage of time. Labor Day Weekend was different in Brooklyn this year. The annual Jouvert Celebration went virtual and organizers cancelled the West Indian Day Parade. So instead of dancing, people watching, enjoying incredible food, and marveling at the colorful cultural garb, I grabbed my camera and biked to DUMBO.
Parallel Lines: The Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge tower over DUMBO. New York, 2020
Brooklyn’s posh waterfront neighborhood was buzzing with activity as locals and a scattering of tourists enjoyed outdoor dining and gathered in Brooklyn Bridge Park. I avoided the area’s busier sections, spending the day admiring architecture on DUMBO’s quieter streets and in nearby Vinegar Hill.
One of the city’s more aesthetically pleasing historical districts, DUMBO’s converted warehouses, cobblestone streets, pristine waterfront, and majestic bridge views are immortalized in dozens of films, television series, and classic photographs. Luckily, the weather was perfect this weekend, bathing the neighborhood in crystal blue skies, warm sunlight, and deep shadows.
City Bikes and the Manhattan Bridge. New York, 2020
The subway trains rumbling over the Manhattan Bridge and boats zipping by on the East River reminded me of simpler times in the city.
Manhattan Bridge. New York, 2020
As I walked around the neighborhood, it felt like any other day. A stop along the river’s pebbled shore offered a stunning glimpse of New York’s impressive skyline. But, COVID-19 was omnipresent, as most people wore face coverings and signs reminded park goers to socially distance and mask up.
A man walks through Brooklyn Bridge Park wearing a mask. New York, 2020
Regardless, I felt better than I have in months by engaging in one of my favorite activities: photographing New York City.