New York

JakeT1992

JakeT1992

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7,286
Name
Jake
Edit My Images
No
Hi all.

I'm lucky enough to be heading out to the Big Apple for my 21st in April.
My main question is, would you recommend buying a gorilla pod for use in grand central, on top of the rock, empire state etc. Or is it not really worth the money? I'll be taking my proper tripod with me also but will only have it out for pre planned shoots and mainly at night!

If anyone can recommend anywhere (not the obvious as much) places to take photos, or just anywhere worth a visit in general it would be much appreciated also!

Thank you muchly!

Jake
 
Bring the gorillapod only, you wont use a tripod over there. I was there in early December, brought the gorillapod and managed to use it top of rock: 2nd to top floor, on the window sill - it's hard use it outside right at the top because there is glass paneling all along. I can't think where you would use a tripod? The sidewalks are so busy, even late into the night/early morning - it really is the city that never sleeps! Maybe down by the financial district, along the hudson, you would use it for long exposures? But, I would at least only bring a very light weight, tidy one. You do a LOT of walking in NYC
 
Cagey75 said:
Bring the gorillapod only, you wont use a tripod over there. I was there in early December, brought the gorillapod and managed to use it top of rock: 2nd to top floor, on the window sill - it's hard use it outside right at the top because there is glass paneling all along. I can't think where you would use a tripod? The sidewalks are so busy, even late into the night/early morning - it really is the city that never sleeps! Maybe down by the financial district, along the hudson, you would use it for long exposures? But, I would at least only bring a very light weight, tidy one. You do a LOT of walking in NYC
Click to expand...

Many thanks for your response! I have a big baggage allowance so I'd be bringing my tripod anyway, as I'd kick myself if I didn't have it and found the perfect opportunity. Is it definitely worth buying a gorilla pod then? £35 isn't too expensive. I can imagine I'd be walking as much as I was in Venice.
 
I bought the gorillapod focus, it's the only one I would use for a dslr + heavy lens. If you were just planning to use a wide angle or prime on it, the SLR one should do the trick. I bought a manfrotto ball head for mine which works well, but that might be more than you want to spend.

You will walk at least 6-7 miles per day, you could take the subway often, get day passes, but you'd be missing half the city that way. It's a city best walked.
 
JakeT1992 said:
Many thanks for your response! I have a big baggage allowance so I'd be bringing my tripod anyway, as I'd kick myself if I didn't have it and found the perfect opportunity. Is it definitely worth buying a gorilla pod then? £35 isn't too expensive. I can imagine I'd be walking as much as I was in Venice.
Click to expand...

I'd get one, £35 to get some possible once in a lifetime shots (unless you fall in love with the place) is nothing!

Even if you didn't plan to use your tripod I'd take it just in case you see the perfect shot :)

Enjoy it over there! I've never been but it's definitely on the life 'to do' list :)
 
Cagey75 said:
I bought the gorillapod focus, it's the only one I would use for a dslr + heavy lens. If you were just planning to use a wide angle or prime on it, the SLR one should do the trick. I bought a manfrotto ball head for mine which works well, but that might be more than you want to spend.

You will walk at least 6-7 miles per day, you could take the subway often, get day passes, but you'd be missing half the city that way. It's a city best walked.
Click to expand...

I don't have any decent lenses! Everything I do is using the kit lens and a 50mm prime at the minute. Don't have the money for better gear! Still getting some fairly good shots though :) So I wouldn't need the more expensive one I doubt!

I'll bear that in mind, is it far to walk from say Empire State Building to Ground Zero?

Joshwain said:
I'd get one, £35 to get some possible once in a lifetime shots (unless you fall in love with the place) is nothing!

Even if you didn't plan to use your tripod I'd take it just in case you see the perfect shot :)

Enjoy it over there! I've never been but it's definitely on the life 'to do' list :)
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I will. I've just bought a cheap guide book too, as it came in so handy in Venice!

I'd love to move out to America, but that's not likely to happen so yeah I'm not gonna leave the tripod at home, sods law that if I take it I won't use it, but better safe than sorry :)

Thanks! :D
 
Last edited:
I think it's about 11km from Empire to ground zero, that's a definite Taxi job, was for us at least.
 
You can squeeze your lens through the gaps in the glass on Top of the rock, then hold it against the glass for a steady shot, my 3second exposures were fine with this.
 
^ true, I managed a couple of 1-2 sec exposures this way at night. I was getting a lot longer on the window ledge + gorillapod obviously, but had to dodge out some window reflections.
 
About 3 miles from the Empire State to ground zero I reckon and most of the popular sites will be behind you e.g Times Square, grand central station etc. I think it is only one or two stops on the metro though.

Have fun, : jealous:
J
 
You're right, 3.4 miles according to google maps ;)

Says 28 minutes by car/cab - because of cross town traffic - don't even count on that. When we went it took over 40 minutes and we missed the last tour. That's why i thought it was a little further, the time it took to get there.
 
Jimi-the-fish said:
About 3 miles from the Empire State to ground zero I reckon and most of the popular sites will be behind you e.g Times Square, grand central station etc. I think it is only one or two stops on the metro though.

Have fun, : jealous:
J
Click to expand...

Forgot the flatiron building on 5th. - famous but hard to get an original shot.
11km sounds like too far to me.

J
 
Google "The High Line" It's an abandoned elevated former train line which is being transformed piece by piece into a public park and not only is it a great place to shoot, it's just a great place to be. I can highly recommend it.

Have a GREAT TIME. NY is a fabulous place.
 
Carbonangel said:
You can squeeze your lens through the gaps in the glass on Top of the rock, then hold it against the glass for a steady shot, my 3second exposures were fine with this.
Click to expand...

I'll give that a go! I will probably buy a gorilla pod anyway, as I'd like a much longer exposure!

Jimi-the-fish said:
About 3 miles from the Empire State to ground zero I reckon and most of the popular sites will be behind you e.g Times Square, grand central station etc. I think it is only one or two stops on the metro though.

Have fun, : jealous:
J
Click to expand...

Were staying in the New Yorker which isn't far from the Empire State I believe :) Thank you!

viv1969 said:
Google "The High Line" It's an abandoned elevated former train line which is being transformed piece by piece into a public park and not only is it a great place to shoot, it's just a great place to be. I can highly recommend it.

Have a GREAT TIME. NY is a fabulous place.
Click to expand...

That's really cool! I'll have to have a look there!
Thanks you very much! :D I'm so excited :D
 
We did the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Grand Central and Brooklyn Bridge Park without any support, all have pretty decent flat areas to put a camera...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_s/sets/72157614205831327/

We walked from 34th down to Battery Park, over to Liberty Island, back, did the WTC, Wall Street, Pier 17, then walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, wandered around the park there, back across the bridge, through Chinatown and back to 34th, all on foot within one day (in February, bloody cold!) and we're not mega fit. My parents went last week, I suggested the same route and they did it no problem.

On foot is definitely the way to do it if you're able, you see so many things you would miss otherwise, the walk down to the bottom is really nice through the Flatiron District, Union Square, Washington Square Park etc.
 
ukaskew said:
We did the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Grand Central and Brooklyn Bridge Park without any support, all have pretty decent flat areas to put a camera...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_s/sets/72157614205831327/

We walked from 34th down to Battery Park, over to Liberty Island, back, did the WTC, Wall Street, Pier 17, then walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, wandered around the park there, back across the bridge, through Chinatown and back to 34th, all on foot within one day (in February, bloody cold!) and we're not mega fit. My parents went last week, I suggested the same route and they did it no problem.

On foot is definitely the way to do it if you're able, you see so many things you would miss otherwise, the walk down to the bottom is really nice through the Flatiron District, Union Square, Washington Square Park etc.
Click to expand...

You have some really great shots on there! I really like "NYC Tiles" - Where was this? :)

Thanks for all the place ideas too! :thumbs:
 
JakeT1992 said:
You have some really great shots on there! I really like "NYC Tiles" - Where was this? :)

Thanks for all the place ideas too! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

No idea to be honest, somewhere on the walk described above! I think it was in Greenwich Village.

As somebody else has mentioned The High Line is also really nice. Oh and Tick Tock Diner is below your hotel, we love eating there.
 
Last edited:
If you want to go to Ground Zero be aware you need to book tickets - they are free. I think you pay to get in to the museum - it hadn't opened by the time I went.

As others have said you'll find interesting stuff more or less anywhere.
Don't forget battery park and liberty/ellis islands too.

Some inspiration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbudhu/ - This guy has done some great stuff but hasn't posted since hurricane sandy. I know his apartment got wrecked so I guess he's got better things to sort out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/ - This lady makes her living from shooting the city, some really nice stuff.
 
Another vote for tick-tock diner, not the best looking place but the grub is very nom-nommy :D Got a full Irish there one morning with big chunky waffles on the side, and they keep topping up your drinks, as a lot of places do over there.

I just realised I only put a few images from my trip on flickr, most went to FB. I took a fair amount over the 5 days. We stayed in the Intercontinental, right in the city but far enough, about 5 minutes from time square, to have a little bit of peace late into the morning. You walk into TS at 2am and it feels like a bright day suddenly :D

Btw, Ground zero may be free, but they do encourage you make a donation!
 
Craft said:
If you want to go to Ground Zero be aware you need to book tickets - they are free. I think you pay to get in to the museum - it hadn't opened by the time I went.

As others have said you'll find interesting stuff more or less anywhere.
Don't forget battery park and liberty/ellis islands too.

Some inspiration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbudhu/ - This guy has done some great stuff but hasn't posted since hurricane sandy. I know his apartment got wrecked so I guess he's got better things to sort out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivnsect/ - This lady makes her living from shooting the city, some really nice stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've looked on there already, we will be booking tickets before we left!
I do want to head out to Ellis Island and see Lady Liberty!

I've seen the first guy, he's got some great shots! I'll look at the other girl now!
 
Cagey75 said:
Another vote for tick-tock diner, not the best looking place but the grub is very nom-nommy :D Got a full Irish there one morning with big chunky waffles on the side, and they keep topping up your drinks, as a lot of places do over there.

I just realised I only put a few images from my trip on flickr, most went to FB. I took a fair amount over the 5 days. We stayed in the Intercontinental, right in the city but far enough, about 5 minutes from time square, to have a little bit of peace late into the morning. You walk into TS at 2am and it feels like a bright day suddenly :D

Btw, Ground zero may be free, but they do encourage you make a donation!
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to your Flickr? :) I'd be interested to have a look!
I will definitely be trying the Tick Tock Diner! And I also want to try a supersize McDonalds :lol:

Yeah I've heard most places want donations!

I'm hoping to take some photos of Times Square at night! It looks amazing :)
 
viv1969 said:
Google "The High Line" It's an abandoned elevated former train line which is being transformed piece by piece into a public park and not only is it a great place to shoot, it's just a great place to be. I can highly recommend it.

Have a GREAT TIME. NY is a fabulous place.
Click to expand...

The High Line is BRILLIANT! I stayed right next to it on West 23rd when I went in October, such a great place to walk and there is some awesome artwork along the way.

Have a fab time, its such an amazing city, and yep you'll walk for MILES but its great. So much to see when even just aimlessly wandering (which is what I did for a couple of hours each day!)
I won't be visiting New York for another couple of years at least so have a brilliant time!

Also ANOTHER vote for Tick Tock Diner, had most of my breakfasts there. Such nice food! Also Viand's coffee shop for Pastrami and fries and thats opposite Barney's on Madison or you could go all out on a pastrami at Katz!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cagey75 said:
I think it's in my sig? but probably not showing ...

I only upped 6 NYC pics, they're on [age 2 [linked] which is strange, thought I added more later, must have forgot to actually do so :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cagey75/page2/
Click to expand...

Ah so it is, I didn't think to scroll up to your first post and take a look!
Some neat shots on there. I really like the "Reflecting 34th, NYC" and "View from the rock"! I've added you incase you add more!
 
I'm so jealous of your trip.

We have a few necessary visits through work in the next couple of months......I am beginning the campaign right here :lol:
 
lauren_t said:
The High Line is BRILLIANT! I stayed right next to it on West 23rd when I went in October, such a great place to walk and there is some awesome artwork along the way.

Have a fab time, its such an amazing city, and yep you'll walk for MILES but its great. So much to see when even just aimlessly wandering (which is what I did for a couple of hours each day!)
I won't be visiting New York for another couple of years at least so have a brilliant time!

Also ANOTHER vote for Tick Tock Diner, had most of my breakfasts there. Such nice food! Also Viand's coffee shop for Pastrami and fries and thats opposite Barney's on Madison or you could go all out on a pastrami at Katz!
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! And thank you for the food tips! The Tick Tock is proving very popular! Is it reasonably priced?

viv1969 said:
I'm so jealous of your trip.

We have a few necessary visits through work in the next couple of months......I am beginning the campaign right here :lol:
Click to expand...

I'm glad I persuaded my mum into paying for it! :lol:

Well I need to get into your line of work asap!
 
Liberty Island is still shut after Hurricane Sandy, my folks took a few pics from The Staten Island Ferry last week, it's still a mess over there so no guarantees it will be open by the time you go.

Coney Island is very very photogenic (in an abandoned style!) if you have time, 45 minute subway trip from 42nd but still only $2.50. The Aquarium (and Nathan's Hot Dogs) are there too.

2007 Trip

2009 Trip

2011 Trip
 
Last edited:
ukaskew said:
Liberty Island is still shut after Hurricane Sandy, my folks took a few pics from The Staten Island Ferry last week, it's still a mess over there so no guarantees it will be open by the time you go.

Coney Island is very very photogenic (in an abandoned style!) if you have time, 45 minute subway trip from 42nd but still only $2.50. The Aquarium (and Nathan's Hot Dogs) are there too.
Click to expand...

Oh that's a shame :( Hopefully it'll be open by then!
I'll have a look at Coney Island now. I have had a look at the Aquarium website, but unfortunately that is also closed after Hurricane Sandy!
 
ukaskew said:
Liberty Island is still shut after Hurricane Sandy, my folks took a few pics from The Staten Island Ferry last week, it's still a mess over there so no guarantees it will be open by the time you go.

Coney Island is very very photogenic (in an abandoned style!) if you have time, 45 minute subway trip from 42nd but still only $2.50. The Aquarium (and Nathan's Hot Dogs) are there too.

2007 Trip

2009 Trip

2011 Trip
Click to expand...

Just looked through all your sets! Great photos! I can't wait to see it for myself!
 
JakeT1992 said:
Thank you very much! And thank you for the food tips! The Tick Tock is proving very popular! Is it reasonably priced?



I'm glad I persuaded my mum into paying for it! :lol:

Well I need to get into your line of work asap!
Click to expand...

I would say it was! I think breakfast for my dad and I came to about $20? I can't really remember now and that was with free refillable coffees! They do have a website with the menu on there so check that out on their website.

If you're into it, black and white 35mm film makes New York look SO good. I've only got a couple up on flickr at the moment and if you do take some film I can recommend a good lab to get them processed on the day thats near Madison Sq. Garden.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurentphotography/sets/72157632588807340/
(and yes that picture of my breakfast was at the Tick Tock Diner!)
If you're into art galleries, the Museum of Modern Art is a must. If you've not got much time then just do the top two floors as you've got picasso, jackson pollock, warhol, cezanne, monet and van gough all those kinds of artists there! you can do that and the top of the rock for $38 each which is a bargain.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
lauren_t said:
I would say it was! I think breakfast for my dad and I came to about $20? I can't really remember now and that was with free refillable coffees! They do have a website with the menu on there so check that out on their website.

If you're into it, black and white 35mm film makes New York look SO good. I've only got a couple up on flickr at the moment and if you do take some film I can recommend a good lab to get them processed on the day thats near Madison Sq. Garden.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurentphotography/sets/72157632588807340/
(and yes that picture of my breakfast was at the Tick Tock Diner!)
If you're into art galleries, the Museum of Modern Art is a must. If you've not got much time then just do the top two floors as you've got picasso, jackson pollock, warhol, cezanne, monet and van gough all those kinds of artists there! you can do that and the top of the rock for $38 each which is a bargain.
Click to expand...

That sounds quite reasonable if I'm honest! :) I'll have a look on their website now :)

I don't have a SLR or anything and I don't know how to use one, film has never really appealed to me that much! You've got some great shots and I added you :)

Thats a good price, I am into art galleries! And I want to get up on top of the rock, so that price suits me!
 
lauren_t said:
If you're into it, black and white 35mm film makes New York look SO good. I've only got a couple up on flickr at the moment and if you do take some film I can recommend a good lab to get them processed on the day thats near Madison Sq. Garden.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurentphotography/sets/72157632588807340/
Click to expand...

Sorry to but in but you're right there by saying it makes NY look so good, your couple of B&W shots are awesome :thumbs:

I've never been in to "retro" photography seeing as I've only ever been in the digital age but shots like that are exactly what would tempt me in to giving it a go :)
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jr-j/ if you want to view some more shots, we went at the beginning of december. There are a few threads of advice on the forum about New York and they all offer different views on the best ways to travel! What worked for us was plan what we wanted to see before heading over, I plotted all these on a Google map and saved to my phone.

Walking is the best way of seeing everything, on one day we walked from our hotel on 72nd down Broadway took in times square, through flatiron district, china town Soho, Washington park and onto ground zero. We then walked wall street and onto the Staten island ferry for sunset, we then caught the subway back to times square. Had we used the subway we'd have missed a lot of sights, its cheap enough to use every now and again.
 
JRJ said:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jr-j/ if you want to view some more shots, we went at the beginning of december. There are a few threads of advice on the forum about New York and they all offer different views on the best ways to travel! What worked for us was plan what we wanted to see before heading over, I plotted all these on a Google map and saved to my phone.

Walking is the best way of seeing everything, on one day we walked from our hotel on 72nd down Broadway took in times square, through flatiron district, china town Soho, Washington park and onto ground zero. We then walked wall street and onto the Staten island ferry for sunset, we then caught the subway back to times square. Had we used the subway we'd have missed a lot of sights, its cheap enough to use every now and again.
Click to expand...

You have some real nice shots on there :) I've favourited a few, I think I definitely need a wide angle for this trip!
I've bought a guide book and we're going to plan what to do before we leave :thumbs:

We will probably walk a lot, unless we're going to a set place at a set time and its a long walk! Did you take a tripod at all?
 
Thank you! I bought a sigma 10-20 specifically to go out there, the only other lens I took was a sigma 30, the only time I could have done with the reach was on the ferry to get a better shot of the statue of liberty.

I bought a small konig tripod which I ended up forgetting to take out, but managed without it, after dark on top of the rock would be the only time I needed it or maybe at grand central terminal, but there are plenty of places to rest the camera at both locations
 
You lucky sod! It's one of my aims in life to go to New York at some point.. hopefully next year, without the kids in tow!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top