Philly - Center City - suggestions?

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/16/2005 11:35:05 AM · #1

I'm heading to Philly for the weekend! I haven't been there since I was a kid, and I'm excited to go exploring. I'll be staying near the convention center (it's for a family get together / tradeshow ) so I'll be right downtown.

Any suggestions on must sees and must shoots in the area?

Unfortunately, I'm carless and limited on time, but I hope to get in as much as possible! What's a good area to get lost in? Where's a good place to get a skyline shot? People watching? Sightseeing?

Thanks in advance!!

nsoroma79

Nikon Coolpix P7000

02/16/2005 11:36:51 AM · #2

you should ask jmlelii.... he is from Philly and he shoots alot in the city! He may even be up for shooting company!

02/16/2005 11:43:07 AM · #3

Ooh, he's got a great portfolio! Hopefully he'll pop in here!!

Unfortunately, I'm so limited on time I can't really be away from the family for too long. That's why it's good I'm right downtown. And night shooting might be my only hope! I prolly can't arrange any get togethers, but damn...if I love Philly like I think I will, I'll be back :)

Thanks!

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

02/16/2005 11:45:45 AM · #4

Just meander around the streets of southwest Philly late at night. Should get you some nice shots.

Zal

Nikon D200

02/16/2005 11:49:37 AM · #5

There's some good people watching around Rittenhouse square--about 5 blocks south of City Hall. Some of the side streets in that area have very well-maintained townhouses/brownstones that can make for good photos.

The inside of the train stations can be interesting too--especially 30th Street Station, but that's a bit of a hike from center city.

Have fun.

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 11:49:58.

02/16/2005 12:08:02 PM · #6

Originally posted by Zal:

especially 30th Street Station, but that's a bit of a hike from center city.

Not if you take the subway.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/16/2005 12:14:10 PM · #7

Thanks everyone!

As for 30th St Station, I was actually planning to get off there and walk to the convention center along Market St...it's a long haul, but I figure there's prolly a TON of photo ops along the way :)

And if I get winded (which is very likely ahaha) then cabbie it, I will.

Thank you all for the ideas!

banmorn

Nikon D750

02/16/2005 12:16:32 PM · #8

Old City near the waterfront and South Street are great at night. The new Constitution Center and housing for the Liberty Bell at Independence Mall are good....the morning, early if you can and then hop to Washingron Square park right off 6th and Walnut. You are are right by Chinatown at the Convention Center which is also interesting night or day.

02/16/2005 12:17:32 PM · #9

Originally posted by kdkaboom:

I hope you know I wasn't serious about the southwest Philly thing!

South Street used to be cool at night. I don't know how it is nowadays though.

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 12:19:35.

02/16/2005 12:25:01 PM · #10

30th Street Station is great, but there's not much between there and city hall, except a long walk. from city hall east, you'll find a lot of interesting stuff. don't miss reading terminal, especially for lunch! great food, great sites, great shooting!

02/16/2005 12:25:26 PM · #11

Hahaha, no, I didn't know you weren't serious :)

I figure if I work the area around the convention center I can find lots of interesting things... we'll see! I don't know where South Street is as compared to Center City...?

I need to look at a map....!

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by kdkaboom:
Thanks everyone!

As for 30th St Station, I was actually planning to get off there and walk to the convention center along Market St...it's a long haul, but I figure there's prolly a TON of photo ops along the way :)

And if I get winded (which is very likely ahaha) then cabbie it, I will.

Thank you all for the ideas!

I hope you know I wasn't serious about the southwest Philly thing!

South Street used to be cool at night. I don't know how it is nowadays though.

02/16/2005 12:26:20 PM · #12

Oh, okay! So not much of a point in walking all that way? That's good news actually :)

Originally posted by skiprow:

02/16/2005 12:30:48 PM · #13

Originally posted by kdkaboom:

Oh, okay! So not much of a point in walking all that way? That's good news actually :)

Originally posted by skiprow:
30th Street Station is great, but there's not much between there and city hall, except a long walk. from city hall east, you'll find a lot of interesting stuff. don't miss reading terminal, especially for lunch! great food, great sites, great shooting!

DO walk around outside the station, but then get a cab or take the subway to city hall. the old wannamakers building is on the other side of city hall (featured in "twelve monkeys" with brad pitt and bruce willis), and that's just the start of it...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/16/2005 12:40:12 PM · #14

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I hope you know I wasn't serious about the southwest Philly thing!

Originally posted by kdkaboom:

Hahaha, no, I didn't know you weren't serious :)

The only shots your likely to get at night in those hoods go bang!

banmorn

Nikon D750

02/16/2005 12:53:05 PM · #15

Originally posted by skiprow:

Some of the architecture shots in my portfolio are between 30th St and City Hall...Walking the east exit of 30th St. to the convention center is about a half hour in OMT (Old Mann's Time), but not shooting. Just walk straight down JFK BLVD.

02/16/2005 12:58:52 PM · #16

Originally posted by banmorn:

Originally posted by skiprow:
30th Street Station is great, but there's not much between there and city hall, except a long walk. from city hall east, you'll find a lot of interesting stuff. don't miss reading terminal, especially for lunch! great food, great sites, great shooting!

Some of the architecture shots in my portfolio are between 30th St and City Hall...Walking the east exit of 30th St. to the convention center is about a half hour in OMT (Old Mann's Time), but not shooting. Just walk straight down JFK BLVD.

i'll give you that you will always find something to shoot at , but if you had your pick, which side of city hall would you spend your time shooting: between 30th & city hall or between city hall and the convention center?

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 12:59:15.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

02/16/2005 02:42:54 PM · #17

Well jeez y'all! I have a lot to consider now :)

I think I'll get out at 30th St and just wander and meander...if it all looks interesting I'll just walk to the convention center. I'm excited to go, though! And I really love the architecture shots you have, banmorn!

I'll be sure to share my shots... the good kind of shots!

Thanks!
Katy

jmlelii

Nikon D850

02/16/2005 04:19:36 PM · #18

ahh where to begin where to begin.

Well first, stay clear of Southwest Philadelphia Day or Night.

As far as where you could go, I suggest starting at city hall, and just weave in and out 2-3 block radius along Market Street. That's where half my shots are from. If you do find more time, head to old city and browse around, there are a lot of old buildings to shoot. 30th street is good during the day.

Skyline shots, well I usually head to the other side of Boat House Row, or I head to South Street Bridge, but neither of those are really walking distance to where you are. If you do want to get together for a night shoot, I'd have no problems driving. What days will you be here again?

02/16/2005 04:49:51 PM · #19

Man, I just know a get together won't be able to happen this time... I'm only there Fri night, all day Sat and leaving Sun afternoon and it's with FAMILY so you know how that is... ahaha

BUT, since I'm in NY and it's only 2 hours and 12 bucks away, I really don't see why I can't do a Philly get together when one happens! I hereby plan on it :)

Thanks for the tips on the area, though! Much appreciated!

Til next time -

Katy

02/21/2005 05:47:33 PM · #20

Thanks everybody for the suggestions! I had a kickass time in Philly this weekend! There are quite a few things I didn't get to do which I'm truly bummed about, but I figure now I've got incentive to return :)

Some things I didn't do because I'm either lazy or wanted to hang with my fam:

1. Night shooting!!! All the imposing structures of East Coast cities are just sooooooo amazing looking at night. City Hall blew my mind!! And I really wanted to go get some skyline shots, which leads me to:

2. Going across the Ben Franklin bridge to get some of those kickass skyline shots! At sunset! Whoop!

3. 30th St Station... I didn't get off there and had no reason to visit over the weekend and by the time I arrived to catch my train home I was just friggin' pooped. It was, pardon my french, quite the clusterfuck getting home. Snowing, too. Shiver. And I had a billion bags cuz I found lots of time for shopping. Shiver.

4. DALI! I wanted to go to the museum very badly, but the show is up til May, so again...INCENTIVE TO RETURN!

5. Uh...getting out of Center City :)

Now, the things I DID get to do were just fab. I walked so much I'm now limping ahaha. No, seriously.

The highlight, though, was meandering along JFK Blvd and just coming along the Rodin museum and seeing my favorite sculpture of allll friggin' time, The Thinker. I had no idea it was in Philly (and am still in disbelief and rather uncertain if it's the original!).

One thing about Philly that really struck me was the amount of homeless. In NYC our homeless have disappeared. Really, since Gulianni they've just vanished. Philly's, though, was really overwhelming and sad. I was in Logan's Sq (?) taking pictures of the fountain and curled up in the structure were many sleeping bodies. It was brutal out, too.

Well, now, back to happyhappyjoyjoy, I have pictures to share :)

//kdkaboom.com/Philly

Thanks again for the help! I'll keep an eye out for any future Philly gatherings!

02/21/2005 05:56:07 PM · #21

excellent work, katy! looks like you really made the most of your time; the december issue of outdoor photographer also had a great list of shots to get in philly, not much unlike your wishlist. glad you had a good time. thanks for sharing!

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

02/21/2005 06:09:00 PM · #22

Hey, thanks for lookin!! :)

I'll have to pick up that mag and start planning for the next outing!

Cheers!

jmlelii

Nikon D850

02/21/2005 06:27:00 PM · #23

tagging so I can read this later lol

banmorn

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/21/2005 06:27:02 PM · #24

Cool. I see you shot some Zagar mosaics....where did you see them? They are all over the city with the best display being at his studio on South Street between 10th and 11th. Like the Parkway shot of the sculpture with the Cathedral of Sts.Peter and Paul in the background. Hope you enjoyed yourself.

How about a early/mid April DPC Philly Meet?