I’ve been running all over New York City since early December 2010 taking photos of all the large, working signs I can find, and a lot of the smaller ones, too. I generally limit my photography to nighttime (at least for now), as that’s when the glow of neon is most amazing. For now I’m focusing on New York City, but I hope to visit other cities soon.
The photos are posted with the business name and address in a set over on Flickr. The thumbnails are organized with the newest at the top. Clicking on “Detail” near the top will allow you to see the photos a little bigger and with names; clicking on an individual thumbnail will, of course, let you see that picture bigger, as well as the photo’s location and date.
Back in January, I wrote a little more about why I’m doing this project for Urban Omnibus, the blog of the Architectural League of New York.
This here blog started because I wanted to do more than just run around the city taking photos. I wanted to interact with the businesses that support the city’s best signage and support them in turn. Every week I aim to visit one place with a neon sign I like and report back here.
I am happy to take suggestions of neon signs, large or small. Email me at heyprojectneon -at- gmail (or use the ask button above). Keep in mind that if the business closes earlyish and doesn’t leave its neon on, I may have to wait until autumn when the nights get longer to photograph it properly.
Links to my other projects can be found at Equals Architecture, including my other Tumblr (now shuttered), The Fulfillment Center. That one was here first, so if I follow you or like a post of yours, it will show up as The Fulfillment Center. A Culinary Companion is my newest project, and I’m also still working on researching The Candela Structures. Sometimes I write about design at Catasterist. I also collect volvelles, and during the summer I work on having a picnic in every park in New York City.
I use a Canon Digital Rebel XTi that I bought used. I have been obsessively sticking with the thrifty fifty, eg. a 50mm lens, which handles low light amazingly well. Because it’s a prime—it doesn’t zoom—I often end up standing in snow berms or garbage piles or occasionally the street to get the shot. I occasionally go back to my favorite signs for another take with a zoom lens and maybe even a tripod.
If you would like to support Project Neon or buy prints or posters, take a look at the Donate page.
The point of Project Neon is to encourage you and me both to get out and admire neon signs in person. So go on already!
