Neighborhoods of New York
May 2– 7, 2027
Five days, eight photographers, and the real New York — neighborhoods most visitors, and even most residents, rarely wander into. This is a trip built for photographers who want to work close: reading a scene before it happens, anticipating a gesture, and coming home with images that tell a story rather than postcards of landmarks. We walk, we ride the subway, and we stay in the thick of it — Brighton Beach fish stalls, Jackson Heights sari shops, the crowd at Coney Island — with Bobbi and Lee beside you in the field, talking through approach, timing, and how to work a scene without disrupting it.
- Fast-moving, unscripted scenes — bring a lens you can work quickly with; a fast 35mm or 50mm equivalent is ideal for the density of these neighborhoods.
- Daily field time with Bobbi and Lee on approach, consent, and reading a scene before you raise the camera — the harder, human half of street work that most tours skip.
- A private one-hour critique built around your street work specifically: sequencing, editing a body of work, and finding your own voice in it.
- Local guide Herb Leventon knows these neighborhoods, so you get access and context — not just a walk-through — in areas most street photographers only shoot once, from the outside.
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.
I grew up in New York but have been away since college. It was such a pleasure to return and explore parts of the huge city I didn’t know or hadn’t visited in decades, Brighton Beach and Coney Island, Washington Heights and Jackson Heights, and behind the scenes at Ellis Island. It was wonderful to have Bobbi and Lee, expert photographers, always at hand to help with technical questions, and simply with seeing. Herb Leventon’s local expertise was invaluable. I’d love to do it again.
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.
It’s a neighborhood built for layered street compositions: elevated train, market stalls, and the boardwalk crowd all in one frame if you’re patient with your timing.
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.
The most ethnically diverse zip code in the country is also one of the best places in the city to practice unposed, respectful street portraiture.
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.
Work close here — the density of Canal Street rewards photographers willing to get in among the stalls rather than shoot from across the street.
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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!
Exploring the neighborhoods of NY with Bobbi Lane, Lee Varis and Herb Leventon was incredible. Herb’s passion for the city shined through- from the unique photographic opportunities he guided us to and the wonderful cultural dining spots made this an unforgettable experience.
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: May 2 – 7, 2027
Trip Fee $3,000
Group Size: 8— kept deliberately small so everyone gets real field time and a private critique, not just a shared walking tour.
DEPOSIT: $750
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. We suggest the New Yorker Hotel, right now they have the most reasonable rates for a good hotel—book with them directly. the Lucerne Hotel has been our reccomendation in the past but is a bit more expensive. The New Yorker is centrally located, next to Penn Station, and near many cool locations, restaurants, etc… 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, May 3rd 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, May 8th.
What To Know
New York has something for everyone during your free time — museums, shopping, restaurants, and the classic tourist sites you won’t hit on this tour. This is an intense walking and subway tour built for street photography, often several miles a day, so wear comfortable shoes and come ready for a good amount of physical activity.
Companions are welcome to join the group for the opening and farewell dinner. The fee for them is $300.
Registration
A deposit of $750 is required to hold your spot. Trip insurance is recommended. The balance of $2,250 is due approximately 90 days before departure (around Feb 2, 2027) — we’ll confirm the exact date when you register..
Pay deposit below, then click on “sign-up form” link…
You must fill out the sign-up form, and pay the $750 deposit to secure a place in the tour. The balance of $2250 is due Feb. 2, 2027, 90 days before the start date.