Photography in NYC

Mike V

Mike V

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Has anybody been to NYC. How is the camera situation? i.e. is it safe to have your equipment with you. What are the chances of anybody snatching it off you in the street?

And finally the things that you HAVE to photograph? Recommendations?
 
No different to any other major city in the world, most places you'll be fine with your kit go into dodgy areas after dark and dodgy stuff happens much like London/birmingham/manchester etc.

Try and photo something different New york is full of cliches, you will inevitably land up with a few shots of yellow cabs and street signs etc!
 
we went there last Xmas, when I only had a little point and shoot....

Take all the cliche shots - I look back at mine often and it makes me pine to go back.... awesome place!

We missed going to the top of the rockerfella centre, I'd suggest doing that as hte view of Central Park is awesome from the pics I've seen - you dont get that from the Empire State Building...

we also did a helicopter ride - brief, but well worth it, you'll need to be quick on the camera buttons!

sometimes cliche is just something you gotta do :-D
 
Wasn't there an issue about street photography being banned in New York?

Did that get passed and/or sorted out?

It's been a decade since I was there but I remember it's kinda like Venice in that it's impossible to take a shot that doesn't have some interest in it somewhere - but very easy to end up taking a bunch of cliches.
 
great post, I'm off there in November so I'll be keeping an eye on this topic :)
 
Get the statten island ferry out and back. You get some amazing shots of lower manhatten and other places this way and it is free. Also catch the PATH system over to New Jersey, and get of at Newport / Pavonia come out of the station turn right and follow the signs for the ferry. You get some brill skylines on manhatten from this poit as well. I only had my P&S then, cant wait to go back with my DSLR kit!!!
 
I of course expect to take cliched images. Probably due to the amazement of being there. In the city that has played stage to so many films!

I am taking an 8gb and 4gb memory card. I am sure these will get full, so can anyone recommend a store or chain of stores where I can get the card put onto disk, so I can clean the card and start again. Do they go up to 4gb? I have never even tried in this country.

What about the 8gb, would they split it between two 4.7gb dvd disks?
 
I didn't have any problems when I went last year, infact its quite safe in NY now. They seem to have a police officer on nearly every street, and everyone seems very friendly.
That's not to say you should just walk around without a care in the world, just be smart.

+1 to the Statten Island ferry, its free!
 
The next time I go will be my 4th visit, and I intend on leaving the DSLR at home.

You would be amazed how much you walk around NY, you can walk for hours and hours, and the thought of carrying a heavy camera around with me, well, I think a P+S will suffice. The less baggage the better.

No doubt this advice will be ignored, but hey, I am just telling you what I think is best :D
 
I felt perfectly safe walking around NY until we got on the A train to go to battery park only to discover that on a SUNDAY the A trains schedule takes it to Brooklyn and the surrounding districts and I really did not feel safe whilst trying to get back to manhattan, not just with a camera bag but looking painfully tourist like....but other than that no problems at all.

I wish I was going again...
 
Been twice, both pre 9/11. Never had any problems carrying gear before. Usual rules apply, crime is pretty low in the tourist areas but be sensible and just make sure it's insured. At the end of the day if someone wants your gear just give it to them. Wandering around blatently carrying a camera bag never seems like a plan hence I bought my Lowepro Orion Trekker as it looks like a rucksack to most people.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming if you have any more words of wisdoM!
 
I have been 5 times and have never felt unsafe, even when out taking photos at 5am.

I would recommend taking your DSLR camera and a tripod.

There are probably places you will know about, are you going with anyone else they may have places in Manahttan that is cliched to them and that they want to be photographed in front of.
 
Hiya folks.

Been to New York LOADS in the past few years - I love the place.

Just been scouting my old posts as I had a 'must shoot' list somewhere - but now I can't find it.

NYC is as safe as houses. It's a 24hr city and there are always people around - so you never feel threatened or intimidated. Obviously, as with any big city, there are more undesirable areas, but keep your wits about you - and don'y advertise your £xxxxx camera and you will be fine. Even the areas mentioned above (Brooklyn, Queens, etc are fine).

As for what to shoot ... here's a very quick run down of what I can remember .....

Central Park.
Empire State Building - get it from Rockerfeller centre.
Chrysler Building
Brooklyn bridge and NYC skyline from Brooklyn side of bridge - walk across it - views are amazing. (go at twilight).
Ground Zero - emotional, but well worth a visit.
Times Square
Statten Ferry, Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty - (get there early).
Grand Central Station. A train station they ask? You'll be amazed!
Fire engines, taxis and roadsigns.
Radio City Hall

There's lots more, but there's a few starting points there.

As reagrds your chain of shops ..... Duane Reade Chemist and Rotz Photo are dotted all over NYC - either will transfer images for you.

Let me know where you're staying and if you need anymore help / directions.

Enjoy NYC - it's a fantastic city. I guarantee this will not be your last visit!!!

Here's a few snaps from my travels ....

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geordie.anth/ajbphotos/index-11-1.html

Cheers.

Anth
 
Another one for Grand Central Station. The staircase is an absolute wonder. The view from the top of the Empire State Building (early in the morning for the best light) Anything to do with Central Park. The Chrysler Building especially lit up, Times Square........

If you are getting low on storage just buy some more cards! With the exchange rate still doing Ok it's as cheap to buy yourself some extra storage and you can use it when you get home too :)
 
Aye very true ....

As regards camera shops over there ... there are a lot of dodgy ones. The best ones to go for are Calumet and also B & H Photo - both quality shops and well priced.

Anth
 
Also, for the OP, I've compiled a list of stuff I want to shoot, and I'm going to organise it into a 'most wanted' order. Here is the list (ideas from here, and various 'top 10' websites)

-Go up the Rockefeller centre
-Statten Island Ferry
-Statue of Liberty
-Ellis Island
-Empire State Building (go to the top) (take pictures of it from the Rockefeller centre)
-World Trade Centre Memorial
-Times Square (day and night)
-Central Park
-Chinatown, Little Italy and SoHo
-Brooklyn Bridge (go to the Brooklyn side of the bridge to take pictures of the NYC skyline)
-Wall Street
-United Nations building
-Chrysler building
-Grand Central Station (staircase)
-Fire Engines, Ambulances, Police Cars, Taxis
 
A good list there foodpoison!!

Also, you don't say if you are travelling alone .... but if you are going with a loved one .... there is a cracking little restaurant at the end of brooklyn bridge - can't remember the name, but the wife will!!! Book early!!! You're on a winner if you go there ... trust me .. we did on honeymoon!!! (Son is 6months old now!!! :) ).

Anth
 
Excellent thread, Iv been looking into going to NY around christmas time.
 
Thanks guys,

Its a university trip, so about 30 of us are going. In the group there are only 3or 4 people I really know and will be hanging out with. From previous experience though I will probably be out early on my own and meet up with them mid morning to go sight seeing together.

I want to buy a big map for myself. Probably from waterstones or somewhere. And come up with some sort of plan as to what to do. Mark things on the map like photo stores, sights to see, other shops and more.

In fact Im gonna head out and get that map tomorrow. Theres only 3 weeks left til I go!
 
Foodpoison and magpie your posts have been very very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.!
 
No probs mate - good to spread the knowledge.

Enjoy ya trip and let me know if you need any more help with anything.

Cheers.

Anth.
 
Oh to add another, on Times square is a little diddy police station / office with a multicoloured flashing POLICE sign.
 
NYC is amazing - went there a few years back. +1 for the Statten Island ferry from me too. After you get back to NYC, take a wander around the city's financial district - some nice buildings there.

If you are desperate for a pint, the bar at the bottom floor of the empire state building has 'Empire Beer' which is good :)
 
Geordi69 said:
Oh to add another, on Times square is a little diddy police station / office with a multicoloured flashing POLICE sign.
Click to expand...

Thanks, il keep my eye out. Sure its a cliche, but who cares, maybe I can put a new spin on it! Thanks
 
No probs Mike V.
Cliche or not it's fun. Last time I was there I ended up flat on my back with the camera pointing up and took a few shots like that, some old bloke just laughed and said "lousy art students"
 
Acording to a 2002 report by the United Nations; England and Wales have the highest crime rate among the world's leading economies..

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/798708/posts

I cannot confirm or deny the validity of this report (or even if there actually was such a report), I am just passing it along.

I have traveled all over the world safely. I have avoided areas with unrest and or revolutions. Even when I am in reasonably safe cities, I avoid certain areas and I avoid these areas especially at night.

NYC is no different than most cities. There are areas to be avoided and there are areas in which the tourist is relatively safe.

My advice is to avoid any type of area in which you would not feel safe at home.
 
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