Interesting photography ideas in Los Angeles area?

Terence T

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Hi all,

Looking to spend the next weekend in the Los Angeles area and am searching for interesting subjects to go after. So far a drive along the PCH up north comes to mind but I can't seem to figure out other options. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
1. South, Dana Point has the Pilgrim and the Spirit of Dana Point two tall ships the former a Brig the latter a Schooner.

2 The Newport and Balboa piers at sunrise or sunset [you think you are facing due south since the shore line SHOULD be running south 😱 as the sun rises in the east] the balboa ferry Balboa Island [where else can you find a million dollar TEAR DOWN 😱 ]

3 Surf city, Huntington beach and the pier, on a good day you can watch a wanna be try to "shoot the pier" resulting in converting his/her surfboard into shattered fiberglass and foam 😀

4 Long Beach Shoreline village the Queen Mary and a russian sub among other and has a tall ship as well as a light house on a grass hill

5 San Pedro has Ports O call a tall ship hangs around here too.

6 Palos Verdes nice views of LA and Catalina expensive houses [would be way down on the list]

7-8 Disneyland and Knot's Berry Farm

9 The Hollywood sign

10 Hollywood in general [Sunset and Vine street signs?]

11 the Huntington http://www.huntington.org/

12 Venice Beach [Venice Amusement Pier ] Muscle Beach is near the pier you could spend a day here and not even put a dent in photo ops 🙂

just a thought....
 
I've always liked the idea of photographing empty crossroads in L.A. Since there are lots of areas where the buildings are quite low I would go for a sense of vastness/emptyness.

Having said that, I have to add that I haven't been to LA since I was 14 and there I didn't really look around for photo ops. I just have this idea in my mind since seeing a making of from the movie "matchstick men" (I think).
 
Thanks for the useful pointers.

Venice Beach has always been on my list but I'm always wary about photographing other people. Might just give it a try on this trip though.

The tall ships sound interesting, will look it up.
 
Venice is good. Santa Monica is good - down by the pier or the clubs near Malibu.

Farmer's Market on Fairfax is my personal favorite for people photography.

Hollywood boulevard is great - near Kodak theatre.

Down by the train station on Alameda.

All along the strand in Manhattan beach.

Montecito (just south of Santa Barbara)

There are some areas that are good elsewhere near downtown, but you'd be pushing your luck with a nice camera in those areas...some people are very 'cautious' about cameras. I've been chased before.
 
Also, historic LA-area architecture:
Olvera Street/Chinatown
Mission San Gabriel
Mission San Fernando Rey
(down south by Oceanside) Mission San Luis Rey

Also:
Old Town Pasadena
didn't someone already say Farmer's Market and The Grove?? If so, venture out into the neighborhood but not on Saturday (too quiet since most of the residents will be worshiping).
Fairfax Blvd.
3rd Street Promenade (Santa Monica) - make sure you visit the Camera Obscura if you go there!
Statuary/etc at Forest Lawn Cemetery, primarily Glendale (try to sneak into the mausoleums!) but also Hollywood Hills.

Other good street shooting areas (bring a freind to watch your back):
Downtown near Pershing Square and near the old theater district
MacArthur Park
Echo Park
 
If ya go to the Farmers Market, you can't leave the area with out a stop for lunch at Canters 😉

The Disney Concert Hall is pretty fun. They are pretty strict about photography, but as long as you don't have a tripod you should be fine.
 
Terence T said:
Thanks for the useful pointers.

Venice Beach has always been on my list but I'm always wary about photographing other people. Might just give it a try on this trip though.

The tall ships sound interesting, will look it up.
they go there to be photographed😉
 
RdEoSg said:
If ya go to the Farmers Market, you can't leave the area with out a stop for lunch at Canters 😉
and if you end up near MacArthur Park... Langers on Alvarado. Two of the great delis of LA. The others are Juniors on Westwood Blvd, and Brents in the Valley.
 
I shoot in downtown LA all the time and have never needed anynoe to "watch my back". If anyone gives you trouble, give it right back. They'll walk away. Downtown is great by the way....check out the Grand Central Market. Many great available light opportunities there. Also, suggestion: If anyone seems to mind youy taking their pic.....smile and offer to send a copy by email. Make sure you tell them it's not for professional use. It works every time. Another suggestion: Our Lady of Guadalupe is the new Catholic church in downtown and performs baptisms every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. They have a pool and dunk the little tykes while families ooh and ahh....it's great imagery.
 
I lived in L. A. County for 39 years. You'll never do justice to Los Angeles in one weekend. Any of the above suggestions are quite valid, but time??

For instance, someone mentioned the Huntington Museum/Art Gallery/Gardens. It's in San Marino, which is between Alhambra and Pasadena. You will never cover that place in one trip, and it's just one place to take a camera. Good luck!!
 
RdEoSg said:
of course.. the fair is no where near the city of Los Angeles so keep that in mind...

No worries, a 50 minute drive from Torrance won't matter much.

I think I've got enough stuff to do over a couple of weekends. Will be handy for my next trip early Oct.
 
Terence,

You have received many good suggestions. I'd like to throw a few more in your direction:

  • Central library rotunda/interior (downtown/bunker hill)
  • Central library NEW interior/underground courtyard, 6 stories empty space, egyptian columns, sculptures
  • Spanish steps by the library(like Rome's)(downtown/bunker hill)
  • fountain courtyard/watershow behind Wells Fargo (downtown/bunker hill)
  • Angels flight railway, if open. between bunker hill and central market
  • San Fernando Mission 250 years old(?) in the San Fernando Valley
  • Descanso Gardens
  • LA county arboretum near Santa Anita Race track
  • UCLA & USC old buildings
  • LA zoo
  • Tar pits/museum row (near Canters, Farmers market, Samys)
 
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