Best spots for views OF the mountains? (Dont mind hiking)

Ill try and make this as short as possible.

I am a photographer and would love to head to the ADK to grab some pictures. My gear is pretty heavy in itself. I do film photography with a 4x5 camera. Not the biggest, but damn big compared to todays cameras.

Anyway, I DO plan to hike in the ADK, but I do not plan on summiting any insane mountains.

I like to take pictures OF the mountains, not pictures on top of them. So with that said, I am okay with hikes that are flatter, that may have great views of the mountains around them.

However, I am also open to doing longer day hikes. Ideally, I would love sunrise or sunset, but I am scared shit of hiking in the dark. Im sure there isnt much to fear, but still. Anything out there that wants to eat me? Or just a slippery rock trying to take me out??

Back to my original point. Anyone have any ideas of some hikes where I can see views OF the mountains? One of the few I saw was Mount Jo which looks awesome.

I have hiked plenty of times before, but never in the ADK. And mostly during warmer months(I am compiling my winter gear now). Ill be doing easier hikes in the catskills first, since thats easier. But would like to get up to the ADK for a weekend or two before the warmth sets in. Would love to get snow covered trees mountains. Especially any type of pine tree that is not deciduous.

Thanks!