Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright's spiraling concrete landmark on Fifth Avenue is one of the most photographed buildings in New York, and for good reason. The exterior's stacked white curves contrast beautifully against the surrounding rectangular Manhattan architecture, so shooting from across the street on the east side of Fifth Avenue gives you the cleanest full facade view. A wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range works well outside, while stepping inside the rotunda reveals a completely different challenge: the gentle spiral ramp winding up toward the skylit oculus above. Look straight up from the ground floor for a dramatic circular composition with the glass dome as your focal point. Natural light flooding through the oculus makes midday a surprisingly good time to shoot the interior. Weekday mornings are quieter for interior shots, and the exterior reads best under overcast light or during the golden hour glow of late afternoon. (Manhattan, New York City, New York)
