ADVERTISEMENT

When you think of Central Park, the first things that come to your mind are probably massive crowds of people and warm sunshine. New Jersey-based photographer Michael Massaia, however, stays up late at night to make sure he captures views of the iconic park that few ever witness, and his results are positively haunting.

Back in 2007, Massaia developed a serious case of insomnia. "I sometimes go through long periods of time where I can’t sleep... I would go for long walks..." he told ND Magazine. But rather than seeking medication or therapy, he decided to do something productive with his lucid after-hours; he began photographing the vacant landscapes he came across in large format, using the dawn's faint illumination as his only lighting. Living near the Big Apple, his strolls eventually led him to Central Park, which he shot numerous times between 2008 and 2014.

"The park appears to go through a period of metamorphosis during those late night/early morning hours," he wrote on his official website. "And I was determined to capture it." Taken on black and white film, Massaia's photos truly show Central Park like most of the world has never seen before - empty, isolating, and eerie. Scroll down to see each bone-chilling shot and its location in the park.

More info: Michael Massaia, Facebook, Instagram

RELATED:
    #2

    Southeast View, 2012

    Southeast View, 2012

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    eco okok
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i don't feel them terrible to see i find they demonstrate how beatifull can be the calm and darkness. Congrats for your fotography, you are getting the beauty where the most of us don't see them. P.d: If i have any gramatic or ortographic errors please tell because i'm learning english. thanks!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    Gapstow Bridge, 2009

    Gapstow Bridge, 2009

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Anne Madag
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this one is fine, looks peaceful place, I'm still see those lights in a building.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Path & San Remo, 2016

    Path & San Remo, 2016

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Judy Buczkowski
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW..at this angel there is a person standing on top of a branch squatting and so many other thing in th tree......Love your work

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    Westside Sunrise, 2009

    Westside Sunrise, 2009

    Michael Massaia Report

    #15

    South View, 2012

    South View, 2012

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Diane DesAutels
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The twisting organic shapes of the trees juxtaposed with the man-made rectangles of the buildings are particularly notable in this shot.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Sheep Meadow Sunrise, 2012

    Sheep Meadow Sunrise, 2012

    Michael Massaia Report

    #21

    Center Path, 2009

    Center Path, 2009

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #22

    Zoo Entrance, 2016

    Zoo Entrance, 2016

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #23

    Predawn, London Planetrees

    Predawn, London Planetrees

    Michael Massaia Report

    #24

    Pre-dawn, The Rambles, 2012

    Pre-dawn, The Rambles, 2012

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    South View, 2010

    South View, 2010

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #26

    January Dawn, 2017

    January Dawn, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Gillian Black
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well it must be safe there as you lived to show us these beautiful photos

    #28

    Summer Solstice, 2016

    Summer Solstice, 2016

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #29

    First Spring, 2017

    First Spring, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #30

    Second Spring, 2017

    Second Spring, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #31

    Central Park

    Central Park

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #32

    Night Fall, The Ramble, 2017

    Night Fall, The Ramble, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Luciana Parazzi Basile
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful photographs. I don't think they are haunting at all! Thank you for sharing.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Central Park

    Central Park

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    George Foster
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW, these are all so fantastic ... I hope and pray you will make a book of them ... so very great !!!!!!!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #34

    East Side Exit, 2009

    East Side Exit, 2009

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #35

    January Dawn, 2017

    January Dawn, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #36

    4 A.m., Path & Eldorado, 2017

    4 A.m., Path & Eldorado, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #37

    January Dawn, 2017

    January Dawn, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #38

    January Dawn, 2017

    January Dawn, 2017

    Michael Massaia Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Sutherland
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You see the ghosts of past generations strolling along the paths. Time stands still.

    View more commentsArrow down menu