Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Mirrors of Manhattan

This photograph captures a unique perspective from the top floor of a Manhattan skyscraper, with the Empire State Building in the background. The backlighting causes people in the frame to appear as silhouettes, lending a mysterious, almost abstract feel to the scene. Reflections on the walls and ceiling amplify this effect, creating optical illusions that play with perception and add layers to the composition. The combination of shadowed figures, iconic architecture, and unexpected reflections invites the viewer into an almost surreal visual experience, where reality and illusion blend.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2024
Photo Location: new york city, New York, United States of America
Camera: LEICA Q2
Copyright: © thibault gerbaldi