| Author | Thread |
|
|
03/31/2007 10:29:25 AM · #1 |
I will be in NYC from April 10-17th.I have been trying to research as much as I can to find all the cool places to go both to enjoy and to photograph. I have some specific questions that I couldn't find in any other forum posts.
1. Is using a tripod appropriate? Do the cops hassle you?
2. I would like to carry my camera backpack with my tripod strapped to it (at least at night for long exposures) Is this a safety concern? What else would you suggest? I suppose I could use an old camera bag across my shoulder and walk with my tripod extended like a walking stick (or weapon)
3. Are there any specific places that photographers are hassled for taking photos? Is the subway still off limits?
Also, I have a list of things I will make must-sees, some photography related, some not. Does anyone have any suggestions for adding to the list? Keep in mind, I will have very little money.
a. Staten Island Ferry - I hear that you can get cool views of the island for free. I wonder if I should do this at sunrise or sunset.
b. Walking the brooklyn bridge. I was thinking dusk would be the best time to do this.
c. World Trade Center.
d. International Center of Photography.
e. I'll be getting a citypass that will cover most of my "tourist" needs. It gets me into:
Empire state building
MOMA
A ride on the circle line
Natural History Museum
Gugenheim or however you spell that
I just wonder if there is a prime time to do empire state... maybe at night? or sunset and then wait for sun to go down completely and you get the best of both worlds?
f. DUMBO which is the section of brooklyn between the brooklyn bridge and manhatten bridge. I would think that would be a good sunset shot as well.
g. Whitney musuem.
h. Central Park is a given.
i. B&H is also a given.
Am I leaving anything out? Any suggestions for sunrise? Any safety concerns I should have? I am a fairly big guy with a rough beard, so I don't look weak. Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone wants to meet up and shoot with me, that would be super cool. I have no schedule at all, so let me know when you want to.
thanks so much.
drake |
|
|
|
03/31/2007 10:55:28 AM · #2 |
Go to the top of the rock (Rockefeller center) on a day with nice clouds, or an approaching storm, just before sunset.
You can't bring a tripod, just a monopod. I saw someone using a table top minipod (and there are places where that works), but the guard told me all tripods, even table top ones, are prohibited. Actually, a pretty big bean bag would work well. The above shot was taken by placing the camera on the stone wall at the edge of the top deck, but without a bean bag or table top tripod, you have to put the camera pretty far towards the edge and aim without looking through the viewfinder (at least I did, with my wide angle lens).
But with the right sunset, I highly recommend top of the rock. Or even just for the view. At least it should be warmer for you. It was windy and freezing for me, and I felt like I almost got frostbite up there!
Message edited by author 2007-03-31 10:55:44. |
|
|
|
03/31/2007 12:01:14 PM · #3 |
Drake, you are coming to NYC at a good time. Looked at your profile briefly and I see you like landscape photography. An Ansel Adams exhibition is being shown at The Heckscher Museum of Art. If you decide you want to go and don't have a car while in NY then you can take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station in Manhatten and get off at the Huntingston station. It's about an hours ride each way and you'll have to get a cab from the station for the 10 minute ride up north to the Museum, probably another $5. Cabs are always available at that station too.
If you're going to be in Brooklyn and want a GREAT view of Manhatten close to the Brooklyn Bridge, then I would suggest you check out the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Night time is best and it's pretty safe and Brooklyn's most upscale neighborhood. (Some great restaurants there too.) It's right near DUMBO. Be careful where you go as not all neighborhoods are safe, and always stay alert. I haven't been to DUMBO in long time. When I was there last it was warehouses and plants but has probably been gentrified since.
Brooklyn Bridge walk is breathtaking but can be very windy. It can also be unsafe during dusk and after dark.
|
|
|
|
03/31/2007 02:21:58 PM · #4 |
Just a few clarifications
The subway is not off limits and never was. The photo ban was a proposal that died.
WTC is now just a giant construction site. Not really much to see there. If you are looking for some sort of relics or history its all long cleared out. You can get a pretty interesting view of it from down in the PATH train station.
The circle line is a 3+ hour trip. You might want to do that mid day. Might actually be a good bad weather day trip. The guides share lots of facts and history.
The Empire State Building sometimes has waits of 1-2 hours to go up. So if you are trying to hit the sunset there, be aware of this.
Tripods are legal but some streets can be overrun with pedestrians especially at rush hour and lunch time which would preclude using them as a practical matter. Other tourist areas like Times Sq. can be awash in people as well.
As far as personal safety, NY is far safer in the core areas than what your mom probably fears. There are bad neighborhoods for sure, but the places you are mentioning will not take you there.
One other tourist suggestion I will make since you are spending a week. Go to McSorleys Old Ale House on the lower east side. Its a NY history lesson. |
|
|
|
03/31/2007 02:33:55 PM · #5 |
great tips. I've been to McSorley's before. good times for sure.
I didn't know you could get atop the rock. Is it free? I seem to remember trying to get in last time I was in NY and a guard kicked me out. I'll do some research. Looks like a great view though. I'll try to do that some time when I'm not carrying my tripod.
and olyuzi, Thanks a lot for that suggestion. I will defiantly try to check out that exhibit.
keep those suggestions coming.
drake |
|
|
|
03/31/2007 04:22:50 PM · #6 |
AIPAD April 12-April 15
Lower East Side:
Williamsburg Bridge
Tenement Museum
Photographers need to eat also:
Doughnut Planet, 379 Grand Street (Valrhona Chocolate Doughnuts)
Kossan's Bialys, 367 Grand Street
Guss Pickle, 85-86 Orchard
Katz's Deli, 205 East Houston
|
|
|
|
03/31/2007 08:49:54 PM · #7 |
1. Is using a tripod appropriate? Do the cops hassle you?
----never had a problem
2. I would like to carry my camera backpack with my tripod strapped to it (at least at night for long exposures) Is this a safety concern? What else would you suggest? I suppose I could use an old camera bag across my shoulder and walk with my tripod extended like a walking stick (or weapon)
----I do the same. It will depend where you going to go. If you explore strange areas at night I would not recommend doing it.
3. Are there any specific places that photographers are hassled for taking photos? Is the subway still off limits?
----Subway is not off limits. It is legal to take photos there as far as I know. Using tripod maybe a problem. However, if you do it too much cops may start asking you questions so I suggest take few shots and move on.
I just wonder if there is a prime time to do empire state... maybe at night? or sunset and then wait for sun to go down completely and you get the best of both worlds?
---- go to Top of the rock instead. go 30min before sunset
f. DUMBO which is the section of brooklyn between the brooklyn bridge and manhatten bridge. I would think that would be a good sunset shot as well.
---- if you want sun behind buildings
i. B&H is also a given.
---- they have strange hours and more hollidays than any other store. check in advance |
|
|
|
03/31/2007 10:00:07 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by fstopopen:
Any safety concerns I should have? |
No, none at all!
I was quite nervous the first time I visited NYC - almost expected to be mugged, and was totally on guard at first.
However, I very quickly relaxed. NYC has a police force of something like 38000, and I felt totally safe both times I was there, nine days in all. The city is much, much cleaner, saner, safer and more "normal" than I ever thought possible.
I normally hate big cities, but I am madly in love with New York.
You will find plenty to do and photograph, way more than you'll have time for. |
|
|
|
03/31/2007 10:27:47 PM · #9 |
I was just in New York last week and visited the International Center of Photography. There is an Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibition there now that was wonderful to see and well worth your time. A video about his work, narrated by Cartier-Bresson, is available to watch in the gallery. The upstairs gallery had some really phenomenal photography on display as well. I also made the trek over to B&H for a bit of photography-related sensory overload. It's a bit overwhelming in there, but what a well-run and efficient business it is. There are staff members everywhere to help customers, all of them very knowledgable. Hope you have fun!
ETA: Keep in mind that B&H is closed for holidays through April 10th. They also close early (1pm) on Fridays, and are closed every Saturday.
Message edited by author 2007-03-31 22:36:29. |
|
|
|
04/01/2007 02:07:35 PM · #10 |
This website might help:
www.nycvisit.com
You can type in the time period you will be in NYC and they will give you a list of what is going on in the city.
Most museum have one day when the entry fee is reduced or none at all....MOMA has it, I believe it is Friday night....but check their website.
Bronx Zoo is free on Wednesday.
You might want to check our Times Square Info Center, 1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets...they have brochures but sometimes you can pick up coupons for discounts to attractions..I believe they had some to the Top of The Rock at one time....usually there is a small coupon book sitting on counter...it usually contains coupons for two for the price of one meals. They also have free internet.
The Manhattan Mall, 6th Avenue and 33rd Street, not too far from B&H, has a food court if you are looking for a cheaper place to eat.
Chinese is your best bet for the money. At this time of year, you can always pick up something at a deli and eat in one of the many parks in the city. Good way to get the feel of the city.....Bryant Park, Central Park.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/16/2024 06:09:07 AM EDT.
