Finding Inspiration Through a Photography Project: How Gotham Stones Was Born

A year or two after I began my journey in photography, my enthusiasm started to fade. My photos weren’t great, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how to improve—or if I even cared enough to try. What ultimately pulled me out of that creative slump was starting a personal photography project.

At the beginning, I was deeply inspired by Ansel Adams. His black-and-white landscapes were breathtaking, and I found myself hiking almost every other weekend, hoping to capture something similar. I even thought about traveling to far-off places to photograph majestic mountain ranges. But eventually, I realized I didn’t have the budget—or the drive—to chase those exotic scenes.

Instead, I turned my lens to something closer: Manhattan. I shot countless images around the city, but they all felt average to me. I had already learned the basics of photography, and podcasts, books, and tutorials stopped being helpful. I felt stuck. I didn’t know how to grow, and my photos just weren’t improving.

Then one early evening at Brooklyn Bridge Park, everything changed. The sun was about to set. A soft ray of light broke through and illuminated the flag atop the Brooklyn Bridge. For the first time, I noticed how a single ray of sunshine could completely transform a scene. I quickly took a few photos before the light disappeared. That moment felt special—like I had captured something meaningful. It reignited my passion.

That simple moment sparked an idea. I began a new photography project: Gotham Stones. The focus was capturing soft sunlight on the stone architecture scattered throughout Manhattan. From bridges to historical buildings, I started chasing light in the city. It gave me a new challenge—a reason to shoot with intention. More importantly, it gave my photography purpose again.

These personal projects have no fixed rules or deadlines. I can work on them for years, slowly refining my eye and style. “Gotham Stones” taught me that growth doesn’t always require travel to distant lands. Sometimes, all it takes is paying closer attention to the world around you.

📸 Many of the images from this project are now available as fine art prints in my shop.
If you're drawn to sunlight, stone textures, or the quiet beauty of Manhattan, check out the Gotham Stones collection here and bring a piece of the city into your space.