Gotham Stones: How Limits Sharpened My Eyes for Urban Beauty

When I start a photography project, I don’t think of it as a wide-open canvas—I think of it as a set of limits. And oddly enough, those limits are what push me to grow.

Take Gotham Stones, for example. The concept was simple: photograph stone structures in Manhattan as they interact with the sun around sunset. It might sound restrictive, but that narrow focus opened up a world of creative possibilities.

By zeroing in on stone architecture, I began noticing buildings I’d previously overlooked. Some of the standout subjects included:

• 🏛️ Flatiron Building

• 🏛️ 1 Centre Street

• 🏛️ Woolworth Building

• 🏛️ Manhattan Bridge Arch

• 🏛️ Washington Square Park Arch

And many more tucked into the city’s corners.

Most photographers don’t spend much time thinking about stonework in Manhattan. But this deep dive gave me a fresh perspective—and a new way to photograph familiar landmarks.

I became obsessed with how sunlight grazes these structures at golden hour. The light shifts quickly at sunset, so I had to be precise. Which carvings would catch the last rays? Which angles would reveal hidden textures?

Because many of these details sit high above street level, I had to rethink my gear—focal lengths, vantage points, and timing all became part of the puzzle.

Looking back, Gotham Stones wasn’t just a project. It was a training ground. Many of the techniques I use today—whether I’m shooting snowstorms or cityscapes—trace back to what I learned chasing light on stone.

If you’re drawn to the quiet drama of urban architecture, you can explore my curated prints from Gotham Stones on my print shop. Each piece captures a fleeting moment of light and texture in the heart of New York City.