After two hours of exploring the city at night with the Leica M 246, I started heading back. Walking east, I crossed Fifth Avenue and noticed this scene. It may just look like a jumble of skyscrapers like the rest of Manhattan, but there’s something else going on.

Do you notice that pointy antenna near the center of the photo? That’s the top of the world-famous and historic Empire State Building. It’s nearly lost, sandwiched between other buildings, but the unmistakable spire gives it away.

In most other cities of lesser density, a tall building like this would stand out. But in New York, it’s just one of many. And as newer towers continue to rise, some now surpass what was once the tallest building in the world. At 1,455 feet, the Empire State Building held that title from 1931 to 1970.

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