Coney Island

[Sikario]

I have seen many photographic projects focusing on Coney Island over the last decade or so. It seems such an unusual and vibrant place to photograph. Although possibly somewhere done-to-death?

I have never had the time to venture there in the past. Given the recent problems, with corporations buying up land and amusement areas being sold off, to what extent is Coney Island still an interesting place to shoot?

What is left?

Has it been watered down?

I am interested in taking some photos in mid-April, are the attractions open at at this time of year?

Any other tips would be most welcome. Is it safe? Is it problematic taking photographs there?

Thanks.

 

[angeloks]

Hey ! I was there a few months ago. Really a fun place to be taking pictures. I found it safe (during the day at least) and people were quite nice.

 

[Michael Markey]

Why not come to the Uk equivalent ...Blackpool 🙂
The funfair was modelled on Coney Island and some of the old rides which date back to 1920/30 are still in place.
http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/history.php

 

[v_roma]

Check out "tourist information" on coneyisland.com. generally, attractions are open on weekends from Easter to memorial day and weekdays after then. I went there last summer when I still lived in ny and had a blast shooting. No safety issues though I was only there during the day. And there were a lot of photographers that day with Mich more expensive looking cameras than my oly xa.

If the main purpose of your trip is to visit Coney Island, I would suggest pushing back the date of your visit until the summer time, which is the best time to visit IMO.

I have seen many photographic projects focusing on Coney Island over the last decade or so. It seems such an unusual and vibrant place to photograph. Although possibly somewhere done-to-death?

I have never had the time to venture there in the past. Given the recent problems, with corporations buying up land and amusement areas being sold off, to what extent is Coney Island still an interesting place to shoot?

What is left?

Has it been watered down?

I am interested in taking some photos in mid-April, are the attractions open at at this time of year?

Any other tips would be most welcome. Is it safe? Is it problematic taking photographs there?

Thanks.

 

[daninjc]

It's still an *extremely* vibrant place to photograph. I was there several times last summer and had tons of photographic fun and interesting interactions with quirky people.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

At approximately West 5th Street adjacent to the beach are 11 handball courts. There are numerous old timers and interesting characters there. Also, they run tournaments there every year. I have been told that since that bay or beach is out of the way it often becomes a nude beach in the summer.

 

[BillBingham2]

Depends on what you call Coney Island. It's more than just the part, it was a wonderful community when I spent a few weekends taking the F train a few stops the other way (I took it every day to work in Manhattan). I think there is a lot to do there as it's always changing, like most places in NYC.

Mid April might be a bit cool but it's been too many years and I'm not the best judge of too cold (I stained my house in mid 50 degree weather in shorts).

B2 (;->

 

[Steve Bellayr]

There is also Brighton Beach Avenue under the elevated trains which is saturated with immigrants. One train stop prior is Sheepshead Bay & the fishing boats. As I recall there is a fising pier that extends from the Boadwalk. A few city blocks back from the beach is a largre Creek.

 

[BillBingham2]

....There are numerous old timers and interesting characters there.......

And a few cute girls from time to time play, again this was back in the '80s.....

...... I have been told that since that bay or beach is out of the way it often becomes a nude beach in the summer.......

Mid April, nude beach, New York........seems pointless.

B2 (;->

 

[dmr]

I really wish I had spent more time there when I lived in the area. This was one place where our parents really didn't want us going, so we did mostly Rockaway for beach and amusement rides and such. At the time I do admit it had kind of a gritty and insalubrious air to it.

I was afraid that they were going to Disneyfy (is that a word? would "californicate" be a better choice?) it, but it appears that it's kept at least some character and flavor with the Mermaid Parade and such.

Here's one shot I did take ca. 1970. If you know what was there, you can actually see all three of the legacy coasters, the Cyclone, Tornado, and Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt was my fave, I don't know why, it just was.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Growing up in SE Queens I too spent more time by the beach in Far Rockaway, an area I still frequent.
I love Coney Island too. Besides the amusements there are some other interesting attractions,
including The New York Aquarium and Keyspan Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team,
a minor league affiliate of the NY Mets. Last year Ringling Bros. Circus performed there all summer.

There's some interesting Coney Island specific stuff here: http://www.coneyisland.com/

And for everything NYC tourists never see check out: http://www.forgotten-ny.com

Chris

 

[Ducky]

I used to go there in the late 40's with the Police Athletic League (PAL sponsored by the NYPD). I havn't been back since the 50's.
Anybody remember the PAL?

 

[andredossantos]

On the weekends in the warm weather, there are open air dance parties organized by some of the hardcore dancers from back in the late 70's/early 80's disco and "garage" scenes. DJs set up and a bunch of older people set it off dancing to old funk, house, and disco music right there on the boardwalk. Sometimes these parties get packed and it is quite a scene. Great event for people shots.

Another suggestion would be to explore the neighborhood behind the boardwalk. Lots of good material there. The russian neighborhood in nearby Brighton Beach is worth going to for photography as well.

 

[jsrockit]

There is still gold to mine in any area that has been done to death. Be aware of the cliche's and avoid them... do your own thing.

 

[v_roma]

When did this happen? Must've been sometime since last summer. That was definitely something that was done to death photography-wise but I still took a few pictures when I went there 🙂 I was even fairly happy with how one of them came out.

FYI, "Shoot the Freak" has been razed to the ground, with everything ending up in a dumpster. It's a goner...

 

[Sikario]

Thanks for all the great replies, I'm glad to hear there's still much to photograph in Coney Island.

There must be accommodation within the Coney Island area, but whenever I search for hotels I am given choices in Brooklyn and Queens. Not only are those areas a fair distance away, but they're very pricey indeed.

Does anyone know if there are any B&Bs for less than $75 a night in the area?

Thank you.

 

[andredossantos]

You can easily get there via subway. I live in Upper Manhattan, about as far as you can get from Coney Island and I can get there in about an hour or so on the subway. If you were to stay in Brooklyn near downtown, you could get there pretty quickly and have a whole slew of better options for nightlife and such than you would staying near Coney Island.

 

[Calzone]

Coney Island in the seventies was a dangerous place. Back then we use to go there as a thrill and ride the Cyclone all night stoned out of our minds, looking to get killed or for trouble. Overall back then NYC was almost bankrupt, the entire city kinda became an abandoned place, and being young the prevailing feeling at the time was that we had no future.

I think shooting Coney Island as a great challenge because its been so popular a subject/location.

Last year I did one of the most touristy things a photographer can do and that was go there to shoot the Mermaid Parade which is essentially an art parade. Shooting in a large crowds adds to the challenge and quick shooting is required before someone jumps into your shot.

I used a Rolleiflex 3.5F and a Tele rolleiflex and left all the 35mm gear at home to add to the challenge (great cameras, but not the fastest handling and slow to reload). To add to this the chaos that was created, there's this overstimulation of visual images to add to the challenge of trying to develope a vision of documenting an event and creating meaningful images. In other words it just plain overwhelming because there are too many opportunities to shoot.

The real challenge is go to the next level and do some staged planning. Early on I knew that I wanted to capture this float that featured a pole dancer, and I lingered in the staging area because this was the best location to get my shots when the acuall parade began. I ended up getting a sequence of shots that lead up to having the pole dancer hanging on the pole upside down going spread eagle. Her body and the pole made a full frame crucifix on my 6x6 negative.

I got there well before noon and left early because I had gotten my shots.

Cal

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I was there last August on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. Not very exciting.

 

[dmr]

And for everything NYC tourists never see check out: http://www.forgotten-ny.com

Forgotten-NY is a great site! That guy has an extremely strong interest and is like the energizer bunny as far as shooting and doing fresh pages is concerned! It's amazing how many memories it brings back, details I've long forgotten, as well as tidbits I've never known. Non-natives probably will not appreciate it as much, but I would still recommend checking it out.

I admit I've copied his style on a number of blog items I've done.