Photo ops of a lifetime... I am going to New York!

B

Betty

BrideZilla!!!
Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,933
Edit My Images
No
For the fourth time, but only the first when Ive been into my photography in such a big way :D

I cant waste this opportunity, so does anyone have any iconic shots of NY I just HAVE to get when I am there? We're going end of January for 8 days, so I can take my time over shots and locations :)

Was going to take my 10-20mm (for the uber wide angle stuff) and 50mm (light and superb if I want a bit of bokeh :D), and my Ricoh for everything else, (300mm equiv)

Feel free to post your best NY shots too, I need ideas :D

*me happy*
 
I went last November, as I've got a friend who lives in Midtown Manhattan. Nice.

Great shots are:
Flatiron building by Madison Square Park
Instead of the Empire State we went up to the top of the Rockafeller cos you can then take shots of the Empire State. Go just before dusk to get the full range of light.
Get the subway out to Coney Island, for good shots and a hotdog!
Financial District is good also.

I'm sure I'll think of some more later.
 
Fourth time and it's the op a lifetime?! :D I'm sure there will be a fifth :lol:

As I've never been, I don't have any specific ideas.. but I always enjoy seeing portraiture of random Americans going about their business.. you know, like the 85 year old man who runs a tiny news stand next to something really big... :thinking: :lol:

Mostly though... have fun :D
 
Also try not to copy iconic images, but come back with your own takes on the subject matter.
 
KayJay said:
Also try not to copy iconic images, but come back with your own takes on the subject matter.
Click to expand...

I am thinking more along the lines of iconic locations/buildings, then Ill put my own spin on it :D

And Phil, it will be the last time I go for a while, hoping to start a family and all that, not taking kids there :D
 
^GC Station would be great on a really long 'ghosting' exposure.

Chrysler Building is a clichéd, but great picture.
 
Can you get a helimachopper ride yet? (Post 9/11). That would be ace.
 
Marcel said:
Can you get a helimachopper ride yet? (Post 9/11). That would be ace.
Click to expand...

Oh yes, got them booked! Lady Liberty flight, takes between 5-7 minutes, but its just enough :)
 
I could be wrong (maybe marosser will verify) but the yanks are super anal when it comes to permits and the like, heard of one bloke who got his tripod out for the obligatory long exposure shot of grand central station and it may as well have been an anti tank device for all the police attention it got. I could be wrong though, might want to look at permits for hot spots though Dee. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get some crackers
 
petebarnes said:
I could be wrong (maybe marosser will verify) but the yanks are super anal when it comes to permits and the like, heard of one bloke who got his tripod out for the obligatory long exposure shot of grand central station and it may as well have been an anti tank device for all the police attention it got. I could be wrong though, might want to look at permits for hot spots though Dee. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get some crackers
Click to expand...

Good advice, appreciate it thanks :)

Wasn't going to take my tripod with, might buy a new one when I get there instead, saves some case space! Failing that, Ive been told to find sturdy walls/posts and the like to rest the camera on, I loathe carting a tripod around, although I am aware its going to be a necessity :p
 
My take on New York, shot over four weekends.

http://www.blurb.com/books/333957

Make sure you go for Breakfast in the Empire Diner

3713287605_99d8fbf58d.jpg


http://www.grantgb.com/content/?p=448

Have fun :D
 
I am in the same position, going to New York for Christmas (23rd till 29th). Been there before but never with the SLR :)
 
in Jan it'll be very cold, so there will be lots of chance for the classic NY steaming man hole cover shot

Hugh
 
Betty said:
For the fourth time, but only the first when Ive been into my photography in such a big way :D

I cant waste this opportunity, so does anyone have any iconic shots of NY I just HAVE to get when I am there? We're going end of January for 8 days, so I can take my time over shots and locations :)

Was going to take my 10-20mm (for the uber wide angle stuff) and 50mm (light and superb if I want a bit of bokeh :D), and my Ricoh for everything else, (300mm equiv)

Feel free to post your best NY shots too, I need ideas :D

*me happy*
Click to expand...

www.seantaylor-photography.com - landscapes>new york

Also search flickr for 'New York'. Iconic shots?
-Central park and Empire State building from Rockafella at sunset/sunrise
-Statue of liberty
-Manhattan from the liberty island
-Grand Central in general
-Wall street
-Chrysler building at night
-The bridges

There are literally millions of photo opportunities. The main thing I would say is don't worry about trying to get everything in. You just won't.
The bus tours are really good for seeing stuff, but seriously, don't worry.
Just take it all in and snap away.
I took over 3000 photographs while I was there. I was there for 4 days.

Oh, and travel light.

I took my 40d (without battery grip), my 24-60 and my 10-20 with me, and that was it, and at times it was still way too much.
I'd have liked a tripod for low light stuff, but my 40d managed okay, and I have pretty good low light camera technique.
 
purpleclouds said:
You mean to tell me that people plan these things? :eek::D
Click to expand...

Ive got most of my wedding planned, and I am not even engaged :D

If anyone else says Darren will propose in NY, Ill go mad, I am wound up with excitement enough as it is! :lol:
 
Betty said:
Ive got most of my wedding planned, and I am not even engaged :D

If anyone else says Darren will propose in NY, Ill go mad, I am wound up with excitement enough as it is! :lol:
Click to expand...

:lol: It would be nice though wouldn't it? 5-7 minutes is plenty of time ;) Saying that, I bet you would kill him if he disturbed your aerial photography :p
 
I cant help you with NEW YORK but I noticed the baby comment.

Anything you wanna share?
 
Betty said:
I am thinking more along the lines of iconic locations/buildings, then Ill put my own spin on it :D

And Phil, it will be the last time I go for a while, hoping to start a family and all that, not taking kids there :D
Click to expand...


Never been to America so I am not at all jealous :razz: Do I sense another baby Brocklyn (sp) being on the cards.
 
purpleclouds said:
:lol: It would be nice though wouldn't it? 5-7 minutes is plenty of time ;) Saying that, I bet you would kill him if he disturbed your aerial photography :p
Click to expand...

Id say no, ask me in half an hour :lol:

jolsterj said:
I cant help you with NEW YORK but I noticed the baby comment. Anything you wanna share?
Click to expand...

Not really :D Hoping to try next year sometime ;)

Davec223 said:
Never been to America so I am not at all jealous :razz: Do I sense another baby Brocklyn (sp) being on the cards.
Click to expand...

Brooklyn? :p Nah, otherwise it'll end up being called Hilton Hotel Room :lol:
 
I was in New York during the opening of the World Trade Centre (Twin Towers), if I remember it was 1971. Absolutely loved New York, one thing is for sure, you'll never run out of photo opportunities. I've since travelled most of north and south america, but not returned to New York - yet ;) Enjoy your trip :)

Nigel.
 
Ah I'm so envious. I love New York! Apologies if you know these bits already with having been before but:

Few photo ideas not mentioned working from north to south:
- iconic Guggenheim museum
- Central Park skating rink with Manhatten skyline behind (like a Lowry painting)
- John Lennon 'Imagine' mosaic in Central Park (sometimes has candles, flowers guitar vigil)
- Times Sq at night
- NY taxi's
- NY Public Library
- HMS Intrepid (huge warship doesn't seem right with equally huge buildings behind it... and Concorde by it's side is a sad sight)
- back alleys/external fire escapes in China Town
- Battery Park war memorials / globe that survived (kind of) the Trade Centre collapse
- sunset from Manhatten looking over to Brooklyn (reflects onto Brooklyn building windows) - sit on the Pier behind the indoor shopping area where the old tall ships are. May be some local anglers there.
- South Street Seaport fish market at 4:30AM!!

Tips:
- check out www.nyc.com (great source of info)
- " " what's happening at Madison Sq Garden for relaxation time (concerts/NY Knicks)
- you'll need your passport for trips up the Empire State and helicopter rides
- and a credit card for those January sales!!

Enjoy!
 
I'd LOVE to go to NY! I'm going to Florida at Christmas but I'm not sure there's gonna be many good photo opportunities there. I'm not imaging that Florida is a particuarly photogenic place.
 
Another vote for dusk from the 'Top of the Rock' at the Rockefeller Center - not to be missed. A mini tripod/Gorillapod/beanbag will be handy for the long exposure, although you can just stand your camera on the top of the wall.

The neons of the Radio City Music Hall (just round the corner) can make for a nice night-time shot too (preferably with the fountains in the foreground, and a yellow cab passing through the shot).
 
Gorillapod, Ill look into that, much better than a tripod, cheers!
 
Betty said:
Have I touched a nerve? :D
Click to expand...

I just don't like being ignored that's all :) People who could offer no advice got a response, I offered up hundreds of photos of New York that I took and got nada. :'( Makes me wonder why I bother.

Maybe you didn't like the blurb format? Well here they are in fickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantgb/sets/72157621348658674/

If you look at the index pages I've even grid referenced every location that each photo was taken:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantgb/3714269286/sizes/o/in/set-72157621348658674/

But it's obviously no use to you :(
 
Oh, sorry :(

I havent had a look yet, but I will. I dont always reply to every response, its nothing personal :)
 
bbb, I am sorry I didnt look at your links earlier, but now I am glad I did, they are simply awesome, Ill be doing something similar when I get back, I love the Blurb books.

Thanks for posting, Ill no doubt be having another look closer to the time for ideas :)
 
I actually know NYC better than I know London, weird that :D

Thanks though, you seem pretty seasoned yourself :)
 
2 hours in central park v v early around 5-6 will open your eyes on just about every level of life there can be, from the business guys setting into work early to the homeless and drunks waking up on their benches. At the weekend there is a mass of people using it and so much going on you will be spoilt for choice.

Time square at night, especially a sat night when the cruisers try and go through in their souped up cars.

Time square in the daytime with just about every person in NY trying to seperate yu from your hard earned dollars, excellent for candids.

I spent 10 days there in the summer and came away with almost 2000 photos.

Do not take mono pod or tripod to any buildings as I had to leave mine every time with security, I gave up after the 2nd time.

For an excellent day out, take a bike trip with Bike n Roll (http://bikeandroll.com/) from pier 88 ( I think), this takes you from the west side of manhatten right around the bottom, through the finance centre, past 9/11 site, down by south port area, over the Manhatten bridge into Brooklyn and then back over the Brokklyn Bridge, right through the center of manhatten back to the west side again.
Loads of photo stops, one is right on top of Brooklyn bridge which is great.....
All on a push bike and at your pace.
I had a vid camera that I used for most of the ride and took my D60 with me, got some great shots that most other tourists would not see. def try that.
 
Ev_ said:
Another vote for dusk from the 'Top of the Rock' at the Rockefeller Center - not to be missed. A mini tripod/Gorillapod/beanbag will be handy for the long exposure, although you can just stand your camera on the top of the wall.
Click to expand...

:agree:
i have done that to but with a P&S there more of NY too in the gallery

http://www.cannockwolf.com/new_york/index_5.html

cant wait to go back, which will be april-ish next year will the D700

one word though the guard at the top of the rockafella center didnt like me using a tripod smaller than a gorillapod! the ESB was ok but perhaps they didnt catch me LOL
 
I've just moved back to the Uk after 8 years of living over the river to Manhatten in New Jersey. Rather than take your city scape shots with your 10-20mm from liberty or Ellis island get the water taxi or the liberty ferry to Liberty State Park on the NJ side of the river. Its a very safe area that has a couple of miles of brick boardwalk that follows the river. The Railway station there is where the immigrants used to depart from once they had cleared Ellis island. The building is restored and has great wooden features and a great ceiling. The platforms haven't been retored yet and give a great decayed feeling as well as all of teh original signs to destinations etc being intact. The old piers there are great and its ideal for taking city scape pictures, on saturdays the cruise ships often arrive in port so you can get these in the foreground if you so desire. The B & H store is well worth a visit even if you cant afford to buy, the sheer size and the way they move stock around the store is great to see, but they do make you check your equipment in at the door (its closed fri afternoons and saturdays). Enjoy yourself!
 
Hi,

I will also recommend dusk at the "Top of the Rock" I was there in May and the views at sunset was brill.
BUT when I got there it seems everyone else had the same idea and it was very crowded :( Just something to bear in mind, get there early and claim your spot!
As regards to tripods I spotted a number of people using full sized tripods and the guards did not seem to mind.

Early morning New York is great for inspiring photos
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top