NYC Private Photography Walk: Union Square to Chinatown

5.00

(1 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Union Square Park’s always got this low buzz—skateboards clacking, pigeons darting around, the occasional saxophone echoing off the subway stairs. That’s where we kicked things off, cameras in hand. Our guide—he’s shot here for years—showed us how to play with depth of field and catch those quick city moments most folks miss. I never realized how much you can do just by shifting your angle or waiting for the right light. He even pointed out this old chess table where locals gather every afternoon; made for a perfect candid shot.

We ducked into the subway next. It’s noisy, smells like roasted nuts from that cart outside, and honestly, it’s where some of my favorite photos happened. Our group was small—just four of us—so we got plenty of one-on-one tips. I learned how to use blur and panning to make those crowded scenes feel alive. By the time we hit Chinatown and Little Italy, I felt way more confident asking strangers for portraits (turns out, most people are pretty cool about it if you just ask). The whole walk felt more like hanging out with friends than a class.