Lifestyle

The Basic B*tch's Guide To Getting The Perfect Instagram Photo Of 'Manhattanhenge' Tonight

by Ashley Fern
Stocksy

Disclaimer: This is satirical.

All right, ladies, listen up. Last month, we discussed how basic we can be on Instagram. It included things, such as "Hot dogs or legs?" photos, #FoodPorn and, of course, selfies. But I seemed to have left out a thing or two: scenery and sunsets.

These are basically a girl's wet dream brought to real life, through filters and various hashtags. And tonight, well, that wet dream is going to be on display for all to see because it's Instagram's busiest event of the year: the Manhattanhenge.

Why are girls so obsessed with scenery and sunsets? Well it's because they let a girl show the world how "cultured" she is, regardless of the fact that the picture is of a bundle of flowers growing from the street's median.

If you haven't realized that this is sarcasm, then stop reading now because the last thing I want to see at the end of this is a bunch of ignorant comments telling me sh*t I already know to be true.

Don't know what the Manhattanhenge is? Well, this phenomenon occurs two days a year, when the sun sets in perfect alignment with the Manhattan street, so you can see it setting between buildings when gazing west.

Today, I am going to provide you with a guide as to how to achieve and embrace this natural phenomenon to its fullest potential -- oh and, of course, get a great Instagram picture.

Step 1: Figure out the date and time

Today on Thursday, May 29 at precisely 8:16 Eastern Daylight Time, the sun will be half above and half below the street line. If you miss today's opportunity, you can catch it again on Saturday July 12, at 8:25 Eastern Daylight Time.

Step 2: Rearrange your post-work schedule

If you weren't prepared before today for this miraculous, natural work of art, you may have to postpone your afterwork exercise routine or that date you may or may not have because you really just don't want to miss this. Make sure you have ample time to set up on whichever street you choose to occupy and make sure you arrive there at least 30 minutes prior to the sunset.

Step 3: Figure out exactly which streets offer prime viewing

You want to head as far east as possible so that you can get the best view possible. The key here is to make sure that when you do face west, you can still see New Jersey. The optimal cross streets are as follows: 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th.

Step 4: Prepare

Make sure you have all your photo-editing applications already downloaded on your phone, so you can filter your photo to the best of your ability. This will ensure that you will be one of the first, if not the first, to post it because you know you aren't getting half as many likes if you're the 16th person to post this photo.

Step 5: Post

Post that photo for all your followers to see and watch as the likes roll on in. Sucks to suck if you're not in NYC tonight because you will definitely be experiencing some ridiculous FOMO.

Still not convinced you need to do this? Well, let's look at last year's pictures.