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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

#2

Southeast View, 2012

Southeast View, 2012

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eco okok
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i don't feel them terrible to see i find they demonstrate how beatifull can be the calm and darkness. Congrats for your fotography, you are getting the beauty where the most of us don't see them. P.d: If i have any gramatic or ortographic errors please tell because i'm learning english. thanks!

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#3

Gapstow Bridge, 2009

Gapstow Bridge, 2009

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Anne Madag
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this one is fine, looks peaceful place, I'm still see those lights in a building.

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#12

Path & San Remo, 2016

Path & San Remo, 2016

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Judy Buczkowski
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW..at this angel there is a person standing on top of a branch squatting and so many other thing in th tree......Love your work

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#14

Westside Sunrise, 2009

Westside Sunrise, 2009

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#15

South View, 2012

South View, 2012

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Diane DesAutels
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The twisting organic shapes of the trees juxtaposed with the man-made rectangles of the buildings are particularly notable in this shot.

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#17

Sheep Meadow Sunrise, 2012

Sheep Meadow Sunrise, 2012

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#21

Center Path, 2009

Center Path, 2009

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#22

Zoo Entrance, 2016

Zoo Entrance, 2016

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#23

Predawn, London Planetrees

Predawn, London Planetrees

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#24

Pre-dawn, The Rambles, 2012

Pre-dawn, The Rambles, 2012

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#25

South View, 2010

South View, 2010

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#26

January Dawn, 2017

January Dawn, 2017

Michael Massaia Report

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Gillian Black
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well it must be safe there as you lived to show us these beautiful photos

#28

Summer Solstice, 2016

Summer Solstice, 2016

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#29

First Spring, 2017

First Spring, 2017

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#30

Second Spring, 2017

Second Spring, 2017

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#31

Central Park

Central Park

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#32

Night Fall, The Ramble, 2017

Night Fall, The Ramble, 2017

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Luciana Parazzi Basile
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful photographs. I don't think they are haunting at all! Thank you for sharing.

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#33

Central Park

Central Park

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George Foster
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW, these are all so fantastic ... I hope and pray you will make a book of them ... so very great !!!!!!!

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#34

East Side Exit, 2009

East Side Exit, 2009

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#35

January Dawn, 2017

January Dawn, 2017

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#36

4 A.m., Path & Eldorado, 2017

4 A.m., Path & Eldorado, 2017

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#37

January Dawn, 2017

January Dawn, 2017

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#38

January Dawn, 2017

January Dawn, 2017

Michael Massaia Report

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Kathryn Sutherland
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see the ghosts of past generations strolling along the paths. Time stands still.

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