Goin' to Vegas!

[pesphoto]

So this weekend we're off to Vegas for 4 days for my brother in law's wedding. They've planned this for a couple years, the date of the wedding is 7/7/07.
Should be a lot of fun. I'll be bringing my Bessa R with me and I guess some color film seems appropriate for Vegas. (I'll have TriX also of course.) Anyone have tips for cheap eats or fun things to do and see besides the typical Vegas stuff. Im no gambler so Im hoping to find other things to do and photograph. Is there a graveyard of old Vegas signs somewhere?

 

[acall]

Although I have not actually seen it, a sign graveyard does exist. Troy Pavia has some great shots from there at his Flickr page

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lostamerica/sets/72157594573630826/

He also has some interesting work at his main webpage:

www.lostamerica.com

Cheers,
Alan

 

[dmr]

Although I have not actually seen it, a sign graveyard does exist. Troy Pavia has some great shots from there at his Flickr page

The Neon Boneyard has just started doing public tours. I'm going to try to catch it on my next trip there later this month.

Be sure to take along (or get there) plenty of 400 or 800. The Strip and downtown at night offer endless photo ops.

If you want to see some I've done over the years:

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas.html

As far as (cheap) food, it depends on what you prefer. Just about anything is available. Yes, there are bargains, but you will have to look around a bit more these days. You can get great prime rib for a great price at Jerry's Nugget, for example, but the neighborhood is a bit dicey. There are countless good and inexpensive buffets, and some elaborate and tres spendy ones too. Harrah's and Rio are very good and modest in price. Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock are excellent, a bit more, but off the beaten path.

I might recommend www.lasvegastalk.com if you want hints and suggestions for dining and such. 🙂

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks for the tips guys. I cant wait to get there!

 

[captainslack]

Just got back from Vegas a few days ago. Bring sunscreen and lip balm!!! And a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Those casinos on the Strip are MUCH farther apart than they look.

Make sure to catch the water show in front of Bellagio. It's much better at night, when they light it up. Walk through the Bellagio, Caeser's Palace, & the Venetian. All three are just beautiful!! Check out downtown Vegas. Very neat.

Might want to check out Hoover Dam as well. It's a neat place and has some nice photo opportunities.

I got by using Kodak UC 400, but you'll need a tripod for night shots.

 

[dmr]

I got by using Kodak UC 400, but you'll need a tripod for night shots.

I might respectfully disagree that you'll need a tripod. As long as you can hand-hold at 1/30 you should be fine for Las Vegas night shots. There's really a lot of light coming off of those things out there.

On one Las Vegas board it's almost become a running joke about using a tripod at the Fashion Show Mall (roughly opposite the Wynn) after one poster had an encounter with a Joe Mannix wannabe rent-a-cop there.

 

[ywenz]

The first thing I suggest you do when you land is to walk over to the rental car counter, get a car and drive out of the city immediately! Close your eyes if possible.

The city itself sucks. The scenery within a 5 hour radius of Vegas however is spectacular.

 

[dmr]

get a car and drive out of the city immediately! Close your eyes if possible.

The city itself sucks.

Now now! It might not be for everybody, but it's a popular place to relax and party. Kind of an adult playground. You'll never run out of subjects to shoot. If you're a people-watcher, there are few places that beat it.

The scenery within a 5 hour radius of Vegas however is spectacular.

I will agree with this. Valley Of Fire State Park is 40 miles or so up the expressway. Death Valley is a couple hours away, ditto for Zion National Park. Both are well worth the trip. 🙂 There are countless other scenic areas.

 

[matt fury]

Hey, I'm going to Vegas too...oh wait, I live here. I wish I had some hot photo tips to offer you, but it seems like most of the good ones have already been covered.

 

[galavanter]

This is "typical Vegas stuff" but if you have the time and money I would recommend a Cirque du Soleil show. I saw "O" quite a while ago at the Bellagio and it was fabulous. My memories were rekindled recently when Paul, Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia, the widow of George, were all on Larry King together to celebrate the one year anniversary of LOVE. Paul and Yoko even played nice. Next time I get to Vegas I intend to see it. A real Vegas showgirl show is on my list too.

 

[bob cole]

Goin' to Vegas! Reply to Thread

Goin' to Vegas! Reply to Thread

Is there a graveyard of old Vegas signs somewhere?
__________________

Las Vegas, from "Sign Language,'' by Ann Sanfedele, 1992, Citadel Press... [ Signs from different cities]...

 

[ruben]

This is "typical Vegas stuff" but if you have the time and money I would recommend a Cirque du Soleil show. I saw "O" quite a while ago at the Bellagio and it was fabulous...... A real Vegas showgirl show is on my list too.

I was already wondering what kind of Vegas this thread was about, thank you Jim.

Therefore, tripod or not tripod, don't take any camera worth more than 50 bucks. Who knows where the paths of sin may take you, and what acrobatics you may be lured to there "to recover" your money. After all it is Las Vegas, not?

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[dmr]

Is there a graveyard of old Vegas signs somewhere?

Here's the link for touring the Neon Boneyard:

http://www.neonmuseum.org/tour.html

This is new as of the past few weeks. I am going to try to fit this in when I'm out there later this month.

 

[pesphoto]

I was already wondering what kind of Vegas this thread was about, thank you Jim.

Therefore, tripod or not tripod, don't take any camera worth more than 50 bucks. Who knows where the paths of sin may take you, and what acrobatics you may be lured to there "to recover" your money. After all it is Las Vegas, not?

Cheers,
Ruben

Well....maybe if I was going alone. But Im taking the wife and mother in law along. Maybe I can sneak away for a little while....
I think I'll be taking my GSN.