Nostalgic in New York

Neon lights and LCD screens may have replaced the older look of places like Times Square, but it’s history is still alive today and its style has never died. While new buildings with modern looks continue to be built, the classic architecture of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, the historic Brooklyn Bridge and so many other locations has helped New York maintain its timeless look and feel. It is a place that has become the epitome of the melting pot that is America and has earned the nickname The Empire City. No other city in the world has quite the same feel as New York and no city has been as able to retain its unique character through decades of change.

For me, the look and feel of New York is best captured in Woody Allen’s classic film “Manhattan” (A film that if you have never watched, I suggest you rent or download right away). The black-and-white feel that he uses, perfectly captures New York City in Allen’s 1979 masterpiece. It is the classic Metropolis of the old Superman films — Batman’s original Gotham.

In this time-lapse film, I worked to photograph the look and feel of a time long gone — blend the old style of New York with the more modern changes that have become interwoven with the city’s true essence. Join me as we go back in time to the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s to a grittier and glamorous New York that can only be captured in black-and-white.

I hope you enjoy this look back at the classic Big Apple and see why it is one of the world’s greatest cities.