New York Skyline at Dusk

Dusk settles over the East River as Manhattan lights begin to sharpen against the blue sky. The Empire State Building stands near the center, lit clearly enough to anchor the skyline. Smaller towers step outward on both sides, and the river carries broken streaks of gold, white and deep blue.

Build the Empire State Building early, then use the riverbank to lock the skyline in place. Window grids give the middle of the picture a steady rhythm, but each tower has its own height and color. Reflections become looser near the water, where warm lights stretch into darker blue ripples.