The Manhattan Bridge framed by red-brick DUMBO warehouses on Washington Street in Brooklyn

Photo spots

12 DUMBO photo spots, and when each one shines.

Which way each spot faces, how far it is from the famous corner, and when the sun is behind you or behind the bridge. Worked out from the sun's position, not guesswork.

The famous shot is Washington St at Water St, facing north through the bridge arch to the Empire State Building. Today the sun is behind you from 9:00 AM to 10:50 AM, 2:35 PM to 5:05 PM. For a Brooklyn Bridge silhouette, go to Jane's Carousel from 4:25 PM to 6:00 PM.

Washington Street is open to vehicles, so watch for traffic when stepping out for the centred shot. The same guide suggests sunrise or a weekday for fewer people and cars.

Spot map

Grouped by main subject. Map: OpenFreeMap, data: OpenStreetMap.
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Pick a day, see the light at each spot

  1. N

    Washington St at Water St

    Face N to the Empire State Building, 5.0 km (3.1 mi) away

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    9:00 AM to 10:50 AM, 2:35 PM to 5:05 PM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), N

    DirectionsMap data
  2. N

    Manhattan Bridge Viewpoint

    Face W to the Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 115 m (377 ft) away · 235 m (771 ft) from the corner, about 4 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    4:40 PM to 6:00 PM

    Also in view: Empire State Building, N

    DirectionsMap data
  3. N

    John Street Park lookout

    Face W to the Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 179 m (587 ft) away · 257 m (843 ft) from the corner, about 4 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    5:20 PM to 6:00 PM
    DirectionsMap data
  4. N

    Main Street Park

    Face N to the Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 78 m (256 ft) away · 122 m (400 ft) from the corner, about 2 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    9:30 AM to 10:50 AM, 2:35 PM to 5:45 PM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), W

    DirectionsMap data
  5. N

    Pebble Beach

    Face NE to the Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 127 m (417 ft) away · 139 m (456 ft) from the corner, about 2 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    2:35 PM to 5:55 PM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), W; One World Trade Center, WNW

    DirectionsMap data
  6. N

    Brooklyn Bridge Viewpoint

    Face W to the Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 408 m (1339 ft) away · 62 m (203 ft) from the corner, about 1 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    4:35 PM to 6:00 PM
    DirectionsMap data
  7. N

    Jane's Carousel

    Face WSW to the Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 170 m (558 ft) away · 257 m (843 ft) from the corner, about 4 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:05 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    4:25 PM to 6:00 PM

    Also in view: Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), ENE; One World Trade Center, WNW

    DirectionsMap data
  8. N

    Empire Fulton Ferry lawn

    Face W to the Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), 180 m (591 ft) away · 237 m (778 ft) from the corner, about 4 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:35 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    4:25 PM to 6:00 PM

    Also in view: Manhattan Bridge (Brooklyn tower), ENE

    DirectionsMap data
  9. N

    Fulton Ferry Landing

    Face NW to the One World Trade Center, 1.9 km (1.2 mi) away · 454 m (1490 ft) from the corner, about 7 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), NE

    DirectionsMap data
  10. N

    Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park

    Face NW to the One World Trade Center, 1.9 km (1.2 mi) away · 587 m (1926 ft) from the corner, about 10 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), NE

    DirectionsMap data
  11. N

    Granite Prospect steps

    Face NW to the One World Trade Center, 1.8 km (1.1 mi) away · 667 m (2188 ft) from the corner, about 11 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), NE

    DirectionsMap data
  12. N

    Brooklyn Heights Promenade

    Face NW to the One World Trade Center, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) away · 888 m (2914 ft) from the corner, about 14 min walk

    Sun behind you (subject lit)
    7:30 AM to 10:50 AM
    Sun behind the subject (silhouette)
    Not on this day

    Also in view: Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn tower), NNE

    DirectionsMap data

Dial: the arrow is the way you face, the gold dot is where the sun rises and the dark dot where it sets. North is up.

Photo questions

Where is the most famous photo spot in DUMBO?

Washington Street at Water Street, facing north: the Manhattan Bridge arch frames the Empire State Building. It is the most photographed corner in DUMBO and gets busy during the day, with photo crews even early; photographers suggest 7 to 10 am for fewer people.

When is the best light on Washington Street today?

Today the sun is behind you from 9:00 AM to 10:50 AM, 2:35 PM to 5:05 PM, lighting the bridge and the Empire State Building.

Where do you shoot the Manhattan skyline at sunset from DUMBO?

Fulton Ferry Landing faces northwest to the skyline. Today the sun does not set straight behind the skyline, but the sky after sunset still works.

Where is a quieter Manhattan Bridge view?

A quieter Manhattan Bridge view is the lookout in John Street Park.

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