Capturing the Magic of New York’s Chinatown Before Dawn Breaks

Night Photography in Chinatown

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During a trip to New York City, French photographer Ludwig Favre found himself staying in Chinatown. Inspired by what he saw around him, Favre made it a point to capture the magic of the neighborhood. So, the day of his flight, he woke up early in the morning to grab a coffee and snap shots of the sleepy streets before the sun went up.

Armed with his Lumix G9—Favre is a Panasonic Lumix Ambassador—he was able to use the rain-soaked streets to maximum effect. The neon lights reflected in the wet pavement to create a dazzling effect that forces viewers to let their eyes wander around the scenery. As a result, the photographs are filled with warmth and show a different, unexpected side to New York City.

In fact, if you look quickly, you might mistake the location for China. It's only when looking beyond the neon lights and Chinese characters on the signs that the mystery unravels—so unexpected is this calm, quiet vision of New York. Through Favre's lens, New Yorkers take a back seat. Only slight traces of pedestrians and blurred umbrellas disturb each scene.

By letting himself get carried away by the lights and the colors, Favre traveled back to Paris with a unique vision of his stay in Chinatown.

Ludwig Favre's photos of Chinatown show a different side to the bustling, New York neighborhood before it awakens.

Chinatown in New York by Ludwig Favre

Photo of Chinatown at Night

Photo of Chinatown at Night

Chinatown at Night by Ludwig Favre

Night Photography in Chinatown

Photo of Chinatown at Night

Chinatown at Night by Ludwig Favre

Chinatown in New York by Ludwig Favre

Ludwig Favre: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Ludwig Favre.

Related Articles:

Quiet Moments Along the Streets of NYC’s Chinatown

Black and White Photos Provide a Fascinating Glimpse into NYC’s Chinatown in the 1980s

Cinematic Night Photos Immortalize the Lost Cafes Around Paris Before They Disappear

Electric Nightscapes Capture Moody Neon Streets of Shanghai

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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