Representative of his cityscapes is Empire State Building AB. In this work, Simpson points his camera to the sky in order to capture the towering skyscraper that pierces the clouds overhead. The black and white tones of the sunlit buildings against a partly cloudy sky give the work a crisp atmosphere. Once the tallest structure in the world, the Empire State Building stands as a monument to the technological prowess and economic strength of the United States in the 20th century. The building has become one of the most popular, instantly recognizable symbols of Manhattan and all that the city has to offer.

Opposite the scenes of New York City is a series of the artist’s black and white seascape photographs. One such work, Veterans Day Wading River, captures one of the smaller beaches on Long Island on a partly sunny, autumn day. The absence of sunbathers gives the work an isolated quality that inspires a closer relationship to nature while reminding the viewer of the importance of taking breaks from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Spending some time by a body of water – whether it is a lake, the bay, the sound, or the ocean – has become an almost daily routine in the lives of many Long Islanders. There are an abundance of opportunities to take in these natural vistas on Long Island that can be just as invigorating as fully immersing oneself into the New York City environment.