First time street shooter in New York

S

ScottAlexander

Street Photographer
Local time
2:44 AM
Joined
Jul 10, 2011
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I've found myself looking at everything New York over the past month, and I know that it MUST happen within the next 12 months.

I searched around RFF for similar posts, but found a few that were years old. I'm looking for photos, along with personal first hand accounts of street shooting in the big apple. The places that the guide books and TV shows and movies dont talk about. The place to find people as sights.

The main attractions are an obvious choice already, but i'm dying to hear users experiences and hidden gems! After all, we're all in this together :)

Cheers!

(PS - Any local NYC shooters feel free to PM me asap, I would love to check out your work and chat!)
 
Most of the obvious tourist spots are great "shoot the shooter" locations. Don't avoid them just because you've seen lots of shots of that famous spot - go there and put your own spin on it.
 
Walk along the water. Just about anywhere in the city you will find some interesting stuff. Spend some time in the "outer" boroughs especially Queens and Brooklyn. Take the Staten Island ferry and the Roosevelt Island Tram.
 
Anywhere in Manhattan, or, for that matter, anywhere at all in NYC. Keep your eye on the people, the micro interactions, they are fleeting, easy to miss, never-to-be-repeated. Be always curious and ready. Get up close. Stay vigilant, with camera ever-ready. You will find as many subjects and as much drama as you like. Most importantly, cross at the green.
 
Goo suggestions so far! I plan on at least a day in brooklyn including coney island, but was thinking the majority of perhaps 7 day stay would be spent in and around Manhattan, good plan?
 
Spend more time outside Manhattan, you'll be surprised what you find...
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Chinatown never fails to disappoint. If your only staying for 7 days then spend the majority of it in Manhattan. The outer boroughs are nice but you might have a harder time to come off with something if your not familiar with the area. I wouldn't waste time on coney island. If your in NYC around september 30th then try to make it to the meetup.
 
Sometimes it's just luck and being in the right place at the right time.

Although I don't usually photograph the homeless, I found this man with his shopping cart full of soda bottles and cans with a laptop open because he had found a "hot-spot." I got him with my Leica and a 28 from the side and the shot looks like he is all absorbed in day trading and oblivious to his surroundings. I took the shot from about 6 feet away and he took no notice. This happened around the Flat Iron building.

I often shoot in areas where its not really proper or cool to shoot people, but I happen to ask this guy sitting on a chair under these railroad tracks in Central Harlem if the tracks are in use.

"They are still used for freight," he said. Nearby was a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk, but before long I got to know that Tyrone wore this yellow whistle around his neck in protest of the "Stop and Frisk" policy that more or less racially profiles people of color mostly in poor neighborhoods.

When I asked Tyrone if I could take his picture, I got the opportunity to get in close for some head and shoulder shots, but the way I shot with my Rolleiflex I more or less took them like a mug shot, and in the background were wrought iron bars that added to the story of the whistle and the oppression Tyrone spoke about in his community.

Good luck in your shooting, but realize that in some communities you are an outsider and not really have the opportunity to street shoot like the tourist areas.

Cal
 
jsrockit said:
I'd have to disagree with this. If you are into people and/or kitsch, it can be a great place.
Click to expand...

I guess I was thinking more in terms of it being out of the way and takes a while to get there via subway. Coney is a good place to shoot. It's just that i seem to turn up with duds when i go there by myself (away from the Cal magic!!).
 
I was thinking that coney island might be a morning or afternoon to a brooklyn day, head there first or last. Even if its only for half an hour, is it really something that can be missed at all, even if just to take those one or two 'street-landscapish'? photos?
 
My blog (link below) is basically devoted to street photography in NYC (all photos are taken here). If you want some ideal locations that will give you some great shots:

Chinatown
Brooklyn (Where the Hasidic Jews live in Williamsburg)
I second Willets point (I love it there)
I also second Coney Island (I also love it there - you have to go if you've never been).
THE SUBWAY STATIONS AND TRAINS! Shoot in BnW! The lighting is very directional which I happen to like.

I hate Times Square because the crowds are wayyy to much for my style. I don't like shooting crowds.

Here's a link to a post about different lighting in NYC and where you can find those spots: Pockets of Light

Let me know if you want to get together some weekend.
 
My wife and I went for the first time earlier this year. I am behind on developing and haven't finished all of my rolls but the suggestions so far in the thread are solid.

There is enough density and foot traffic everywhere we went in Manhattan to make it hard to call out specific places. Here are a few highlights for me so far:

Chinatown:
8001656198_48f9857b6a_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/8001656198

Coney Island
7994776311_5ee4c50e71_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/7994776311

St Patricks Cathedral
7642079026_568d939899_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/7642079026

The rest are shots from random streets while walking around:

7506436408_d62d2d7d0b_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/7506436408

7512993294_84de6835c6_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/7512993294

7512995402_53299f08c7_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/7512995402

7540593148_92d5b690c6_c.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/7540593148

I wish I'd spent more time photographing on the subway but wasn't comfortable enough with it - and I was traveling with my wife most of the time so these were just quick grab shots while walking. I think we averaged about 12 miles on foot a day and plenty more on the subways.

I did struggle with interesting shots in Central Park. I don't think I came away with anything worth posting. That was my first morning there though so maybe I hadn't found my rhythm yet. I wish I'd spent more time in the theatre district. Lots of interesting people, styles and interactions. Time Square was overwhelming - too much crowd made it difficult for me to find interesting shots - but I think there is a lot of opportunity there as well.
 
jkrumsick said:
My blog (link below) is basically devoted to street photography in NYC (all photos are taken here). If you want some ideal locations that will give you some great shots:

Chinatown
Brooklyn (Where the Hasidic Jews live in Williamsburg)
I second Willets point (I love it there)
I also second Coney Island (I also love it there - you have to go if you've never been).
THE SUBWAY STATIONS AND TRAINS! Shoot in BnW! The lighting is very directional which I happen to like.

I hate Times Square because the crowds are wayyy to much for my style. I don't like shooting crowds.

Here's a link to a post about different lighting in NYC and where you can find those spots: Pockets of Light

Let me know if you want to get together some weekend.
Click to expand...

GREAT! Thank you for the info
 
jkrumsick said:
My blog (link below) is basically devoted to street photography in NYC (all photos are taken here). If you want some ideal locations that will give you some great shots:

Chinatown
Brooklyn (Where the Hasidic Jews live in Williamsburg)
I second Willets point (I love it there)
I also second Coney Island (I also love it there - you have to go if you've never been).
THE SUBWAY STATIONS AND TRAINS! Shoot in BnW! The lighting is very directional which I happen to like.

I hate Times Square because the crowds are wayyy to much for my style. I don't like shooting crowds.

Here's a link to a post about different lighting in NYC and where you can find those spots: Pockets of Light

Let me know if you want to get together some weekend.
Click to expand...

I will have to shoot williamsburg for sure, and times square will be the area I am planning on staying (hells kitchen) so with any luck I can check it in passing. I don't mind crowds too much :)
 
Not much in Times Square anymore. I'm sure someone here will contradict me. It is nice, but long for the days 30 years ago when it was grittier with the sex industry, old movie theaters, Howard Johnson's.... Way too many tourists now. I believe TS is one of the top 5 tourist destinations. The crowds are too, too much.
 
i am also interested in this discussion! i'll be there for a week in mid november! i'm bringing my contax g2+45mm and a stylus epic, along with some film (i plan to buy some at b&h or adorama). i'm sure NY is full of interesting subjects to shoot, can't wait to get there!
 
ScottAlexander said:
I was thinking that coney island might be a morning or afternoon to a brooklyn day, head there first or last. Even if its only for half an hour, is it really something that can be missed at all, even if just to take those one or two 'street-landscapish'? photos?
Click to expand...

Coney Island is just as worthy to photograph as is anything else in NYC. Take the time to go, you might enjoy it.
 
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