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

I am going in 7 weeks really looking forward to it and cant wait to fill up my 8gb memory cards lol
 
We are going to have to take the laptop to upload all my pics daily :D
 
Thats gorgeous, I see why people want us to visit at dusk :)
 
My fav place in NY is B&H Photo......spent hours in there!!

photo ops, get to top of rockerfeller or Empire on a clear night- awesome
 
Ill be in any tog related place like a shot this time :D:D
 
I was there 2 weeks ago. Empire SB - no tripods allowed - they take them off you for the duration. You can use the grille for support at night. Rockefeller - no problem with tripods.

Queues at Empire first thing (around 9 - 9.30 ish) weren't too bad - maybe 10-15mins. When I came down a couple of hours later - big - maybe an hour. They have a fast track, but at a hefty price, something like $45 as opposed to $20. You can also pay an extra $15 to go up to a higher level but it's not that much better. It's glassed too, but clean and optically good. Didn't need my passport, but then I always carry it anyway. Everybody seems to be happy with the new photo driving licences we have now as ID.

I must have got lucky with the Rockefeller late afternoon because there was no queue. As I said, no problem with a tripod, and there are walled sections to rest on if you don't take one. I chose the Rockefeller for my sunset/night shots to get the Empire in them. It has both enclosed glassed and open levels.

The Staten Island ferry will give you shots of Lower Manhattan and takes you past the Liberty Statue. Not particularly close - you'll need a medium telephoto at least, but you'll get some shots. There are two types of ferry. One is closed in, fairly crappy glass, and the outside areas front and rear are small and fill up quickly. The second type has open upper levels which will allow you to get better shots of Manhattan. Not totally head on, but better than nothing. They travel every half hour, and it's free.

There's not a lot to see or photograph at the WTC site. It's enclosed but you can see through some gaps. Even so, not a lot to photograph. You'll still probably want to go there anyway. Maybe go in to the nearby church and look at the photos and stuff of people who died there. I had a quick look inside, but couldn't stay long. Churches make my skin burn and blister.

B&H is interesting to look around. Contrary to other info, they only wanted to take my tripod on entering and refused to take my camera bag, which peeved me a bit as I didn't want to hump it around. They said they didn't want the responsibility of caring for it. It's a good place to look around, but a nightmare to buy from. You have to get a ticket from a salesman to pre-order, queue to pre-order. Then queue to pay. Then queue to collect your goods. I was going to get a small bag for my video camera but gave up at the pre-order queue.

I was there for just 2 days, a flying visit, and not long enough. But I'm not a city person and it was enough for me for now.
 
Theres a point, will I have to shoot through glass at the Top of the Rock?
 
Make sure you turn the camera on yourself at some stage.....get some proper memories of you actually being there!
 
Oh yeah, if you go to the Top of the Rock wrap up very warm cos it was *&^%$£ freezing when I went in November!:eek::thumbs:
 
Blue Eagle said:
Make sure you turn the camera on yourself at some stage.....get some proper memories of you actually being there!
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Oh dont worry about that, I am a pro at the arms length pics :D

slimboy fat said:
Oh yeah, if you go to the Top of the Rock wrap up very warm cos it was *&^%$£ freezing when I went in November!:eek::thumbs:
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January is going to be -6. Eeek.
 
As KayJay says, forget 'iconic' photos that have already been taken. The city is so large, you can make it your own. Lots of good suggestions already. I'd recommend you spend $27 on a Metrocard for unlimited travel - the subway system itself is very interesting, and you can have plenty of fun photographing that. Same issues with tripods, although you can get away with it if you're discreet and choose the right times.

Definitely worth a ride is the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which is a cablecar running next to the 59th Street bridge over to the island, which sits in the East River between Queens and Manhattan. This is accessible with your Metrocard, so will cost no extra - an excellent view of the city across the bridge too, really good if the sun's just setting.

If you see an opportunity, visit Liberty Island at night - I managed to get over there on some special even trip. Not sure how often they go, or how to find out (a friend booked it). As has been said, Staten Island Ferry is worth a ride - it's free - you'll get a good view of Manhattan. Be at the front of the queue/mob before returning and walk straight through to the front when the gates open, that way you'll have an unobstructed view.

On the whole in NY I found people weren't bothered about the presence of a camera. Every other tourist has an SLR these days. Security wise it's funny, since some places are more bothered than others. I had no issues, but then didn't go in many of the high profile buildings. Generally though I found New Yorkers helpful and good natured, so you're bound to have a great time.

Oh, and as someone else suggested, if you do one thing, pay a visit to B&H. It's an amazing shop, and they have 95% of the Nikon and Canon ranges available for test/buy, etc. Just the way the shop works is pretty incredible, and your purchases go off via a system of conveyors to meet you downstairs after you've paid.
 
book liberty helicopter ride around 6.30 pm the last flight of the day this time of year and get some great shots in the air, round liberty and through manhatton.

Well worth $70 :-)
They have a website to pre-book
 
I'll be there from the 23rd to the 28th, so this has been a great wee read.
I'll be sure to show and tell when I return
 
I've been to New York once, at the start of 2001 when I only had a video camera so I'm really jelous that you're going taking an SLR!

At least I got to go up the WTC though.

Have fun and share your pics when you're back!
 
Hi there

I'm a bit late at adding to this thread... you already have had good advice...

One place I never noticed anyone said was Grand Central Station... Must of a visit but the lighting is dificult and i've never tryed in there with a tripod...

I've been three times...

Brooklyn Bridge not sure if that was mentioned either... I liked walking over the Manhatten Bridge then walking back over the brooklyn... the route between them is not obvious and there is a wee park at the shore that's well worth a visit for views...

Walk the streets is my best advice though... walk walk walk... see the guy shadow boxing in central park... the women walking down 5th Av with her designer bags... The tramp pushing the shopping trolley... etc etc... NYC throws it all at ya all at once...

Write a list of the things that sum up NYC for you... then focus on these as themes for your pictures... travel photography is all about capturing the spirit sights and smells and sounds in a place in a picture and making the viewer think or feel just by looking at your pics they know the place better... If you achieve that... you have achieved great travel photography!

Here are my three NYC visit albums on flickr... hope they give you insperation

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markelliot/sets/72157613645429433/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markelliot/sets/72157613675815516/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markelliot/sets/72157613646572763/

And lastly.... Have a fab trip... its a city to enjoy without the hassle of the camera all the time so sometimes... Leave it in the hotel and just experiance the place!
 
22 days and counting, I cant believe how quickly its coming round :D
 
Have a good time Betty - but once again - in addition to the 'iconic' shots (and we all like to take our own versions of those) please concenytrate on trying to get a fresh view on the City...that's what ultimately we'll be impressed by - not just 'another' Manhattan at Dusk, Flat-Iron Building etc. etc.
 
Oh absolutely, Ive been looking at touristy shots as well, and will be trying to put my own spin on them :) I even found a close up shot of the clock in Grand Central Terminal, not many people would think to shoot that, but it works so well :)
 
If anyone is going to New York and hasn't heard of Big Apple Greeters then I would highly recommend it, especially if you want to visit a more unusual district with a local. And best of all it's FREE.

http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/

We had a great guided visit with Bill around the Soho, Meatpacking and Greenwich Village area. It's best to just take pot luck and then follow them up a few days before you travel to confirm things.
 
MisterE said:
I was there 2 weeks ago. Empire SB - no tripods allowed - they take them off you for the duration. You can use the grille for support at night. Rockefeller - no problem with tripods.
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Not sure the last time you went, but I went there last year and no tripods were allowed at rockerfeller either.

When I asked why they said it was a health and safety issue and no tripods at all by anyone were allowed at the top. Then you get up there and what a surprise - there's a tog there employed by the company with a camera and tripod.

I was especially annoyed as I carried that damn tripod all the way from england to get my shot and had to leave it at the desk, I then asked the tog how come his tripod was special and didn't breech health and safety, but mine did and he just said his was ok as he was employed by the building. I told him I wasn't stupid and I knew the real reason was so that more people bought pics rather than taking them.

I showed them though as I had a mini tripod in my pocket that I set up on the wall no problems! :clap::clap::clap:
 
joescrivens said:
Not sure the last time you went, but I went there last year and no tripods were allowed at rockerfeller either.
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12th October 09 I was up there. An hour or so before sunset. No queuing, which surprised me, and no hassle about tripods. There were several people up there with them. I vaguely recall seeing a pro taking photos of people, but I didn't pay a lot of attention.
 
For ages I have been looking for the print of a busy New York street scene in black and white with a yellow cab in colour and cannot find it. If you could post a street scene with a yellow cab in it I could do the PP and be forever in your debt.
Have a great time Betty
 
I absolutely love New York, lucky you with so many visits. I have to say it's nonsense not be able to go there with a little one. Sure it's difficult but never say never, we went there when my wife was off work on maternity leave and my little boy was 4 months old - it wasn't soo bad then as he was carried or in his pushchair the whole time, be a totally different story now he is 2!!!

I'll be another that definately says the Top of The Rock is a must. You go to the ticket office and get a ticket (very little if any queue), the ticket tells you a specific time to come back and you go straight up to the top, again with little or no queues. If you ask them for the sunset time when you go up you have about 20 minutes then night starts to fall, so you can get shot before and after nightfall in the same visit. No tripods although I used in mini slik desktop / pocket tripod and nobody said anything.

Have a great trip and don't forget to post some pics when you get back.
 
kickstart said:
If anyone is going to New York and hasn't heard of Big Apple Greeters then I would highly recommend it, especially if you want to visit a more unusual district with a local. And best of all it's FREE.

http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/

We had a great guided visit with Bill around the Soho, Meatpacking and Greenwich Village area. It's best to just take pot luck and then follow them up a few days before you travel to confirm things.
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The Greeter program sounds great. I remember seeing something about it on TV and there was a retired Hollywood actor living in NYC who was on the program showing people around the city. Seems like a good way to see things off the usual tourist trail.
 
Goneforagasper said:
]For ages I have been looking for the print of a busy New York street scene in black and white with a yellow cab in colour and cannot find it[/B]. If you could post a street scene with a yellow cab in it I could do the PP and be forever in your debt.
Have a great time Betty
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You mustn't have looked that hard I see these all the time, it's almost common place. Ikea have been selling a large print like this for a year or so off the top of my head.

Even just doing a google search there are loads like this:

new-york-yellow-taxi-8463-630_zoom.jpg


3539234752_f06ec00209.jpg


you can also buy them from places like art.com

new-york-taxi-no-1.jpg
 
I am going to chance a Gorilla Pod for Top of the Rock :D
 
When I was there recently I heard the sound of an emergency siren and got my camera ready to take a shot. Heard the siren right on top of me but couldn't see the vehicle anywhere. Too late to take the picture, I saw it. A yellow cab with the red and blues hidden behind the grille and top of the windscreen. Sneaky gits.
 
Hi, hope you have a great time. We went Nov08 the one week of the year i was ill, Yep always one for the comedy timing!!!! :(

anyway, Rockafella wouldn't permit Tripods when we were there, but the views are fantastic.

Oh and getting back to an earlier theme, while we were there a bloke proposed to his GF on the roof. Not sure if it was the event or the sub zero temperatures and gusty wind that brought tears to her eyes :D
 
Yeah, dont see any proposing happening :lol:
 
I keep having nightmares about coming home with no photos :D
 
Betty said:
I keep having nightmares about coming home with no photos :D
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That happened to friends after their 2 week road trip around the western US last year. Their camera had apparently been stolen out of their suitcase at San Francisco airport. Weeks of anger, misery, bitterness, regret, accusations, recrimination - just for starters. Then weeks later a new pair of boots bought there were got out and tried on - and the camera was found inside. No recollection from any of the family about placing it inside a boot. The ecstasy lasted for days.


And don't forget B&H
 
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