This monochrome photograph is organized into three horizontal layers. The Hudson River fills the bottom edge, leading to a thin band of Lower Manhattan skyscrapers that stretch across the middle. Above the buildings, a vast sky takes up most of the frame, filled with a mix of streaked and puffy clouds. The viewpoint stays low to the water, making the distant city appear as a dense, dark silhouette against the lighter tones of the sky.

The words "NEW YORK CITY" are placed in the center of the upper half of the image. The lettering is tall and thin, printed in black so it stands out against the gray and white cloud formations. While the buildings show dark facades and sharp edges, the sky contains a wide range of gray tones. The placement of the text directly above the tallest structures draws the eye toward the center of the skyline.