Behind the Shot
It’s an iconic New York City view, and for good reason. Standing beneath the Manhattan Bridge on the streets of Brooklyn at sunrise—between two historic brick factories—photographer Chris Henry framed the Empire State Building between the bridge’s support columns. Fortuitously, a seagull dipped into the frame at just the right time. This classic shot, popularized by the poster for the 1984 Robert De Niro film Once Upon a Time in America, has become a favorite of tourists from around the world. The vantage point is DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), a neighborhood crowned by both the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges that was originally a ferry landing surrounded by industrial warehouses. In the late 20th century, DUMBO was remade into an upscale residential and commercial community, transforming into a haven for art galleries, tech startups and families. Chris’ print of the location captures an artistic blend of historic charm, urban ambition and timeless allure—perfectly encapsulating the Big Apple.
