10+ Haunting Photos Of Central Park At Night, Taken By Photographer Suffering From Terrible Insomnia
When you think of Central Park, the first things that come to your mind are probably massive crowds of people and warm sunshine. New Jersey-based photographer Michael Massaia, however, stays up late at night to make sure he captures views of the iconic park that few ever witness, and his results are positively haunting.
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When you think of Central Park, the first things that come to your mind are probably massive crowds of people and warm sunshine. New Jersey-based photographer Michael Massaia, however, stays up late at night to make sure he captures views of the iconic park that few ever witness, and his results are positively haunting.
Back in 2007, Massaia developed a serious case of insomnia. "I sometimes go through long periods of time where I can’t sleep... I would go for long walks..." he told ND Magazine. But rather than seeking medication or therapy, he decided to do something productive with his lucid after-hours; he began photographing the vacant landscapes he came across in large format, using the dawn's faint illumination as his only lighting. Living near the Big Apple, his strolls eventually led him to Central Park, which he shot numerous times between 2008 and 2014.
"The park appears to go through a period of metamorphosis during those late night/early morning hours," he wrote on his official website. "And I was determined to capture it." Taken on black and white film, Massaia's photos truly show Central Park like most of the world has never seen before - empty, isolating, and eerie. Scroll down to see each bone-chilling shot and its location in the park.
More info: Michael Massaia | facebook | instagram (h/t)
#1 Southeast View, 2012
#2 Private Gardens, 2013
#3 South View, 2009
#4 The Mall, 4 A.M., 2013
#5 Northwest View, 2014
#6 Gapstow Bridge, 2009
#7 Half Moon, 2009
#8 5 A.M., European Beech Tree, 2017
#9 Zoo Entrance, 2012
#10 Airplane Installation, 2012
#11 North Woods Exit, 2012
#12 Bow Bridge Predawn, 2012
#13 Path & San Remo, 2016
#14 Sheep Meadow Sunrise, 2012
#15 Westside Sunrise, 2009
#16 South View, 2012
#17 Clock Installation, 2016
#18 South Path, 2009
#19 January Dawn, 2017
#20 5th Ave. Exit, 2009
#21 Hallet Sanctuary, 2009
#22 Predawn, London Planetrees
#23 January Dawn, 2017
#24 Second Spring, 2017
#25 Center Path, 2009
#26 Predawn, The Rambles, 2012
#27 South View, 2010
#28 Summer Solstice, 2016
#29 East Side Exit, 2009
#30 January Dawn, 2017
#31 January Dawn, 2017
#32 First Spring, 2017
#33 Central Park
#34 Central Park
#35 Zoo Entrance, 2016
#36 January Dawn, 2017
#37 4 A.M., Path & Eldorado, 2017
#38 Night Fall, The Ramble, 2017
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