Rising Scapes of New York City

Photographer

Christine Donghee Lee

Category

Architecture Photography - Cityscapes

Company

Columbia University in the City of New York

Submission Group

Amateur

Year

2025

Country / Region:

United States

This photo captures the layered story of New York City, where historic buildings with exposed fire escapes stand in stark contrast to a looming modern skyscraper that vanishes into the fog. The fire escapes, symbols of the city’s resilience and history, rest beneath a structure that reflects the transformation of the urban landscape. The fading skyscraper suggests that the limits of progress remain undefined, an ascent mirroring the city’s, or perhaps humanity’s, ambition, set against its enduring connection to the past.