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Photographer Suffering From Terrible Insomnia Captures Haunting Pics Of Central Park When There’s No People
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
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#1
Private Gardens, 2013
Troy Currie 8 years ago
I always heard to not walk in Central Park at night (especially alone) because of the Creepers.
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#2
Southeast View, 2012
eco okok 8 years ago
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!
Venomous Sloth 8 years ago
*beautiful *the calm and darkness can be *photography *I I hope this helps. Congrats on learning English!
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Kathy Magiorkinos Bohs 8 years ago
I think they are beautiful. I worked near Central Park and loved walking in there especially in the snow. So beautiful!
Velma Person 8 years ago
All of the pictures in this series are hauntingly beautiful...just beautiful👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
#3
Gapstow Bridge, 2009
Anne Madag 8 years ago
this one is fine, looks peaceful place, I'm still see those lights in a building.
Alexsey Lekchinov 8 years ago
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211916303052797&set=pb.1528274101.-2207520000.1498460619.&type=3&theater
LilyoftheWoods.com blog 8 years ago
wow. The pictures are so gorgeous. Hate these competition points thingy.
#4
The Mall, 4 A.m., 2013
Cynthia Cindy Mulrooney 8 years ago
The lighter area is because someone peeled the bark up/off! (Shame!!)
Leandro Carbonell 8 years ago
in 2012 i got arrested for walking in the park at 3am. Gow did you avoid the curfew?
#5
South View, 2009
Debbra Walter 8 years ago
The night was made for us. I adore the mystery and depth that I can't see in daylight.
Dayle Henshel 8 years ago
That's the Plaza hotel on 59th St. and Fifth Ave..so either guests or permanent residents.
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#6
Half Moon, 2009
#7
Northwest View, 2014
Zuzka Zrzka 8 years ago
please don't feel lonely, there is noone on this photograph, because eveyrone is with family or friends at home, safe and warm :).
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Charles Slavens 8 years ago
Nicely done. Good timing. Looks like a lot of these shots were pre-dawn... not night.
#8
Zoo Entrance, 2012
Gillian Black 8 years ago
no cats maybe a lonely skateboarder or two. just think in a few hours it will be bustlng
Rambling Rapscallion 8 years ago
I've never been to NY so this mostly reminds me of chasing around a mean guy on a scooter in GTA 4. "Niko Bellic! He's the f***ing man, b**ches!" aaahh, gaming memories.
Cheryl Birkhimer 8 years ago
These are all so lovely & calming. They don't come across as scary to me.
#9
5 A.m., European Beech Tree, 2017
Cheryl Birkhimer 8 years ago
I love these pics. This tree is spectacular, I just don't feel the loneliness/fright that others have ecperienced.
Tamara Keegan 8 years ago
This is so lovely it almost looks like two trees joining hands together...maybe in a dance. Gorgeous.
#10
Airplane Installation, 2012
Alexsey Lekchinov 8 years ago
To be honest ... the pictures obviously were heavily doctored in PS with removal of any "foreign objects". Otherwise, have to admit CP is beautiful after midnight. I used to be walking my dog there along with Nikon. Had no issues...
Maximo Zapata 8 years ago
Pretty interesting work because they all looks like painting and make one feel of the unknown.
#11
North Woods Exit, 2012
#12
Path & San Remo, 2016
Judy Buczkowski 8 years ago
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
Gillian Black 8 years ago
isnt it great when we can see things in nature like looking at clouds
#13
South Path, 2009
Gillian Black 8 years ago
guess we all need to get up early and see our cities as never before
#14
Westside Sunrise, 2009
#15
South View, 2012
Diane DesAutels 8 years ago
The twisting organic shapes of the trees juxtaposed with the man-made rectangles of the buildings are particularly notable in this shot.
#16
Bow Bridge Predawn, 2012
#17
Sheep Meadow Sunrise, 2012
#18
Clock Installation, 2016
#19
Hallet Sanctuary, 2009
#20
January Dawn, 2017
Joan Rogers 8 years ago
It's an old tree defying the odds of survival. It is saying "don't mess with me. I'm old but still strong." Oh the stories it can tell.
#23
Predawn, London Planetrees
#26
January Dawn, 2017
Gillian Black 8 years ago
well it must be safe there as you lived to show us these beautiful photos
#27
5th Ave. Exit, 2009
#32
Night Fall, The Ramble, 2017
Luciana Parazzi Basile 8 years ago
Beautiful photographs. I don't think they are haunting at all! Thank you for sharing.
Amy B Robinson 8 years ago
No color, that isn't the point of his work. These are wonderful
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Central Park
George Foster 8 years ago
WOW, these are all so fantastic ... I hope and pray you will make a book of them ... so very great !!!!!!!
Roo Bookaroo 8 years ago
Very haunting pics. I know the park very well having run all over (only in full day light), and in some shots I could not identify the exact location. It would be nice to go over all the captions and add a more descriptive legend showing exactly where that part of the park is located, at least by reference to the side streets on the East and West Side, and the direction of view. Saying "East Side exit" is not enough. Which side street? Saying "view to the South" is not enough. Where are we in this shot? etc.For Central Pk lovers the legends here are not indicative enough.
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Warren Newcomb 8 years ago
the title of this art expose is wrong...its so far from haunting but deeply enriching when it shakes the mind from the past. I lived on 75th/central park west...no matter how busy and congested the city can be a night walk especially before and after a dusting of snow you fell the calm and quietness of inner peace.. you could actually hear the snowflakes dropping and it takes you into another world.. these photos opened the door of my mind to what the city was before the gentrification boom. and of course you could walk the park anytime day or night... its all changed now and how you manage to bring this gift and this is a gift with all the rules of park restrictions.... and you manage not to show one iota of graffiti....bless you an million times for this extravaganza...warren r. newcomb
#38
January Dawn, 2017
Kathryn Sutherland 8 years ago
You see the ghosts of past generations strolling along the paths. Time stands still.
Sharyn Wagner 7 years ago
Now I don't have to go to New York, I've seen Central Park. Thank You!
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Daria B 8 years ago
To be honest, while I still wouldn't walk these paths alone, I don't find these as scarry. I dunno, there's something soothing and romantic in these lonely park sceneries. Immagine you spent the night here hanging around with your best friend, and, sitting on a bench, together you watch the sunrise....
Anne Madag 8 years ago
Imagine, you are walking in all of those places, and you just only one. :'3
Cheryl Birkhimer 8 years ago
I love the peacefulness & serenity. So different from daytime. These are brilliant photos. I don't feel scared or nervous about any. I might add also, I am definitely not into horror movies etc. This is magic.
Daria B 8 years ago
To be honest, while I still wouldn't walk these paths alone, I don't find these as scarry. I dunno, there's something soothing and romantic in these lonely park sceneries. Immagine you spent the night here hanging around with your best friend, and, sitting on a bench, together you watch the sunrise....
Anne Madag 8 years ago
Imagine, you are walking in all of those places, and you just only one. :'3
Cheryl Birkhimer 8 years ago
I love the peacefulness & serenity. So different from daytime. These are brilliant photos. I don't feel scared or nervous about any. I might add also, I am definitely not into horror movies etc. This is magic.
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