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 also 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.
I’ve also set up a Project Neon Google Map with pins marking the photos. Clicking on the pin will reveal thumbnails as well as the name of the business. Blue pins have not yet been photograhed, purple pins means I’m not sure the sign is still working, green pins have photographs, and red pins are among my favorite signs & are photographed. Grey pins are signs I photographed earlier, but are no longer there. I’ve been having trouble updating the map lately (maybe too many entries?) so it’s not up to date—I’ll work on sorting that out when things calm down.
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. My photography is a bit limited these days, too, as I’m very busy with Kickstarter fulfillment and getting the app development going.
Links to my other projects can be found at Equals Architecture, including my other Tumblr, 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.
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!
