Neighborhoods of New York
June 1 – 6, 2025
Join us on a five-day, small group photographic exploration of the many diverse and ethnic areas that comprise this grand mosaic that is New York. The photo locations are ones that out-of-town visitors and many residents rarely visit. We will walk the streets, ride the subways, and be always in the thick of it. Lunches are in restaurants that are consistent with the ethnic demographic of the neighborhood. The experience offers you many opportunities to photograph the daily life of people and explore colorful and remarkable locations that make up the richness of this city.
Bobbi & Lee assist you on your photographic journey in the field, and share insights on composition, lighting, scene selection, and maximizing the use of your camera. We provide each participant a private one-hour critique on your photography—the goal is to take your photography to the next level. The emphasis is on storytelling and finding the essence of each unique neighborhood we visit. We hope that over the course of a week you will create a body of work that fits your style and makes you proud.
This photo tour will NOT include stops at the typical tourists: Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station. You can easily visit them in your free time.
Photographic Opportunities
Brighton Beach
Under the elevated subway tracks, in what is known as Little Odessa, a vibrant scene unfolds. Elegant older women with rosy cheeks and a pop of red lipstick browse the shops, each store front proudly displaying signs in Cyrillic. Window displays showcase lush, elaborate fur coats, while the grocery shelves are stocked with intriguing, unfamiliar foods—each item a little invitation to explore new flavors. Street vendors offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and fascinating Soviet-era relics that hint at a bygone time. Overhead, the steady rumble of the train adds a sense of energy to the neighborhood. Down by the beach, a lively mix of people—young and old—enjoy the sun, work out, and share in the warmth of life by the shore.
Coney Island
Though its glory days may have faded, the iconic boardwalk remains a lively haven. Sun worshippers lounge under the warm rays, while Dominican musicians bring rhythms that echo day and night. Bright, bold signs invite you to the amusement park rides, adding a splash of color and nostalgia. Fishermen cast their lines along the pier, and nearby, the old arcades on Neptune Avenue are decorated with murals that whisper stories of the past. And, of course, a stop at Nathan’s is a must—its hot dogs and crispy fries are as delicious as ever, serving up a colorful slice of history with every bite.
Jackson Heights
This corner of Queens is a vibrant tapestry of cultures—recognized as the most ethnically diverse zip code in the country. Along one bustling street, you’ll find sari shops showcasing colorful fabrics, gleaming gold dealers, and the largest South Asian grocery store in New York, offering every spice and ingredient you could imagine. Indian sweet shops sit side by side with stalls selling beautifully crafted Muslim prayer rugs. Beneath the train tracks, cozy bars welcome men who’ve journeyed from Central America, keeping the spirit of home alive. Food trucks line the avenue with mouth-watering aromas of tacos and burritos. Just a few blocks away, the Tibetan cultural center adds yet another layer to this rich, multicultural neighborhood.
Washington Heights
This predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhood is alive with vibrant street art—colorful birds soar across walls and fences, bringing life to every corner. The highlight is a 1,000-foot graffiti tunnel that guides you down to New York’s deepest subway station, an astonishing 173 feet underground. On your walk, you’ll find a hidden street of perfectly preserved 19th-century wooden houses, a rare glimpse of the city’s architectural past. The route also passes the only active community mausoleum and the historic ballroom where Malcolm X was tragically assassinated. Along the way, lively barber shops and beauty parlors line the streets, adding to the neighborhood’s unique charm and character.
Chinatown
On bustling Canal Street, open-front fish markets fill the air with the lively energy of fishmongers—cigarettes dangling from their lips—who expertly display the day’s fresh catch. Fire escapes climb the buildings above, while intriguing shop signs catch your eye along the narrow, bustling streets below. Asian women navigate the crowd with four-wheeled shopping carts, weaving through street stalls piled with clothes, plants, and vendors selling “Gucci” bags and “Rolex” watches with a wink. It’s a vibrant scene, capturing the pulse and character of a neighborhood that’s always on the move.
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Occulus
Westfield World Trade Center, also known as the Oculus, is a shopping mall at the World Trade Center complex in Manhattan, New York. The mall opened on August 16, 2016, as the largest shopping complex in Manhattan, with 125 retail spaces. The stunning architecture rewards photographers with numerous opportunities to explore composition, form, and light. Interior and exterior space is presented with soaring abstract wings folding light into incredibly powerful gemometric displays.
Central Park
Central Park in New York City is a photographer’s paradise, with countless opportunities to capture stunning images. From the iconic Bethesda Fountain to the picturesque Bow Bridge, there are plenty of landmarks and scenic spots to explore. The park’s lush greenery and diverse wildlife also provide unique photo opportunities, such as capturing a shot of a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead or a family of ducks swimming in one of the park’s many ponds.
Ellis Island
Closed for over 60 years, the historic Ellis Island Hospital Complex is now open for guided tours. The 90-minute tour takes you through select buildings and grounds of the hospital.
Anyone identified by the medical inspectors as unhealthy upon arrival would not be allowed to enter the country and would find themselves in the hospital complex. Here they were cared for in what was, in its day, a state-of-the-art complex.
In a place full of hope for a better life, the hospital buildings were islands of both sorrow and redemption.
A sense of both is evoked in the remarkable images pasted in the rooms and hallways, part of the current exhibit by French artist JR, titled “Unframed–Ellis Island.“ The images draw visitors into a world that no longer exists. Rooms filled with quiet anticipation, the massive steel doors of the long silent autoclave, broken windows, half-open walls capture the stories of the Ellis Island Hospital, and the 1.2 million immigrants treated there.
Dawn & Dusk & More
There are many photo opportunities you can enjoy on your own, or in a smaller group, like:
- Early morning photo shoot of the cast iron buildings in Soho.
- Night photography of the lights at Times Square and Broadway.
- A visit to Central Park at the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, where there are always a variety of musical and theatrical performances.
There may be some surprises thrown in during the week, too!
Click here for a gallery of images
Street scenes of New York from the locations visited on the tour.
Details
Photography Mentors: Bobbi Lane & Lee Varis
Local Guide: Herb Leventon
Dates: June 1 – 6, 2025
Trip Fee $2,500
Group Size: 8
DEPOSIT: $500
Inclusions
Your trip fee includes 4 lunches, 2 dinners. Ellis Island tour, unlimited subway/ bus pass. Individual & group photo critique.
Excluded
Hotel Accommodations. Transportation cost to New York
Accommodations
Trip participants will be responsible for their lodging. Our base will be on the upper west side of Manhattan and so we suggest the Lucerne Hotel You can book it directly on hotels.com at an excellent rate. The Lucerne is in a wonderful neighborhood that has restaurants, wine bars and is walking distance to Central Park and museums. Please let us know where you will be lodging at your earliest convenience. Other worthy hotels in the neighborhood are The Beacon and the Arthouse Hotel.
Arrival
The photo tour will begin on Sunday evening, June 1st at six o’clock when we will meet for a welcome dinner. Transportation from metropolitan New York airports are easy to access. A metered yellow taxi, uber or car service will get you to your hotel. Carmel Car Service 866.666.6666
Departure
The trip will end after a farewell dinner on Friday, June 6th.
What To Know
New York is a city that has something for everyone. Museums, shopping, restaurants, tourist attractions are all there for you during your free time. The city is safe, very easy to navigate, and people are covid conscious. You must be vaccinated to join this group. All public spaces require proof of vaccination for admittance. This is an intense walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes, and expect a good amount of physical activity.
Companions are welcome to join the group for the opening and farewell dinner as well as the full day in Brooklyn and the evening shoot in Times Square. The fee for them is $300.
Registration
A deposit of $500 is required to hold your spot. Trip insurance is recommended.
Pay deposit below, then click on “sign-up form” link…
You must fill out the sign-up form, and pay the $500 deposit to secure a place in the tour. The balance of $1500 is due March 9, 2024, 60 days before the start date.