New York Visit

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jrichie

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Hi New Yorkers

I am visiting your amazing city for 10 days soon, and would like to hear tips on the following things :

Is it ok to wear an M8 on my shoulder around Manhatten or better keep it in a bag. I am pretty streetwise, and can spot danger and such but just wondering what you do when around the city.

What are the best areas to take gritty, real New York shots. I am not a huge fan of 'nice' shots and quite like grafitti, run down warehouses, something with an edge.

Also any tips on where to visit would be appreciated. I was there for 5 days a while back and did the tourist stuff, and am keen to explore the real city.

Many thanks in advance for your ideas.

Rich
 
In regard to camera safety in new york - I went there last year and was perfectly happy having my m6 titanium over my shoulder walking around at 11pm. I found it to actually be quite a safe place - i never felt threatened or had my spidey sensors go off.... A NY local would be best to tell you some gritty places. Just best to get off the main tourist strips.
 
Oh man Momofuku....that is not to be missed indeed. I wasn't too impressed with Ssam Bar tho. I really enjoyed Balthazar as well for that old French cafe feeling. Your Leica will feel at home there. I love NYC and there are a ton of places to see/eat & do.

I was there with last year with no problems carrying my gear. Just be street smart and you'll be fine.
 
jrichie said:
What are the best areas to take gritty, real New York shots.
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jrichie said:
keen to explore the real city
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"real" New York? Whazzat?

The New Yorker in me wants to say, "buddy, do some research about the city and leave your romantic notions about grubby warehouses and grafitti at home......."

But I left NYC a while ago after 17 years so I'll say: Hunts Point Market (Bronx), Chinatown in Flushing, Queens (not the Manhattan Chinatown) or Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. None of these are in Manhattan but worth visiting.
 
For my background, I have lived in the 3 poorest areas in the UK - Middlesbrough, Moss side in Manchester and Newham in London, so yes I think I qualify as being used to dodgyness, and suprisingly enough never once had any trouble! I am also very well travelled around the world.

So great thanks for your views, I will not lumber myself with a camera bag - I really can't stand carrying big bags! Shoulder it is :) I guess most people ignore my camera - I was at a wedding recently where no-one made a single comment.

Does anyone know some areas to avoid, or is it all pretty good? Old warehouses are a favourite too. Also any weirdness!!!

I think the one place in the US so far where i have not felt too safe with a camera was south downtown LA at the warehouses about 9pm.................
 
Pablito said:
"real" New York? Whazzat?

The New Yorker in me wants to say, "buddy, do some research about the city and leave your romantic notions about grubby warehouses and grafitti at home......."

I have done this, but as having lived in London for 5 years, I know how easy it is for visitors to miss things, unless others have told them. As a comparison I really enjoy the Hoxton area of London, and that is the type of thing I am looking for.
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Gritty Places

Gritty Places

I'd check out Flatbush, and Bushwick in Brooklyn, and in and around Hunt's Point in the Bronx. In Manhattan there really aren't that many gritty places left since Giuliani cleaned it up. Maybe up in Spanish Harlem from E.96th St. to E.125th St. from the East river to Park Ave. Visit all of these places at night for the full effect of grittiness.
 
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Chinatown in Manhattan hasn't entirely become one gigantic tourist trap/source of all things cheaply made and pirated--you just have to stay well clear of Canal St. Wander down past the Manhattan Bridge onto East Broadway and farther east until it mixes with the last bastion of the Jewish Lower East Side around the East Broadway stop on the F. As my girlfriend who lives in the neighborhood calls it: East of Cool. Its not gritty like you might be looking for, but its definitely a "real" Manhattan neighborhood that's (thankfully, so far) escaped the tsunami of luxury condo conversion.

As far as carrying your M8 around openly, I wouldn't give a second thought in most places...I don't.
 
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I would suggest Coney Island if you have never been. Try Dumbo in Brooklyn, the area underneath the Brooklyn bridge. I've heard of a boat graveyard somewhere in Staten Island. Get a few destinations/neighborhoods in mind and then just get on a subway and go. You'll find something. Manhattan is a place to behold but Brooklyn and Queens are where New Yorkers are really from. Red Hook, Prospect Park, Flushing, Astoria, Long island City. Or rent a bike and make your own adventure!
 
Atom said:
I would suggest Coney Island if you have never been. Try Dumbo in Brooklyn, the area underneath the Brooklyn bridge. I've heard of a boat graveyard somewhere in Staten Island. Get a few destinations/neighborhoods in mind and then just get on a subway and go. You'll find something. Manhattan is a place to behold but Brooklyn and Queens are where New Yorkers are really from. Red Hook, Prospect Park, Flushing, Astoria, Long island City. Or rent a bike and make your own adventure!
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I just googled the boat graveyard - that is amazing!!!

What you suggest about getting on the Subway, is what I intended, however knowing big cities, you can waste a lot of time doing nothing if you are unsure of the destination!

Red Hook, Fushing, Dumbo + Staten Island are all on the list now :) Possibly Coney island but I heard it was a bit fake?
 
Let me echo Red Hook for old warehouses and the waterfront. If you are lucky you'll be able to photograph the Statue of Liberty and the Queen Mary II (she berths in Red Hook now) in the same shot. The old, Civil War era warehouses have been mostly renovated on the interior but still maintain a great look on the outside.

By taking the F train to Smith & 9th you get to walk past the Gowanus Canal and under the elevated highway.

But hurry, genetrification is moving at an alarming rate. The 3 story building that houses the laundromat across Van Brunt Street from my daughter's apartment just went on the market for $1.6 million.

You can stop in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) on the way back. Again, nice mid-19th century warehouses mixed with new upscale businesses.

I live upstate now but get down regularly to visit and shoot and have no hesitation about carrying my cameras just about anywhere.

Also -
- the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art allow photography in most areas - both are fertile ground for shooting and have incredible photography exhibition space.

- The Leica Gallery at 670 Broadway (bewteen 3rd and Bleeker) is worth a trip and it's free. Check online for hours and exhibits. And if your wallet is in the mood for a spanking, Kurland Photo is on the same floor.

- the International Center for Photography (1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street) always has interesting exhibits.

I could go on and on...

Enjoy your trip

Bob
 
I second Fred's suggestion re Red Hook. There was a grain terminal (formerly owned by the Port Authority) that was abandoned -- although I heard rumor that someone was going to renovate it. Fred may know if it is still abandoned. If so, and still easily accessible, you could have hours of fun there. Some caution is required though, as I found it inhabited by strung out drug addicts last time last time I was there -- about 10 yrs ago.

Regarding the boat graveyard, it is fantastic, but not easy to get to. I plan to head back there this summer by kayak for some photo opportunities.

If you are on the outskirts of the city and have a car, the Ironbound section of Newark, NJ (specifically Lister Avenue) was still great a couple of years ago and likely still is. There is a sizeable Superfund hazardous waste site there and some old abandoned industrial buildings that you can sometimes gain access into.

Chris
 
And, no matter how many times you go there, there's always something "fresh" about it. You're in an interesting spot, Fred. :) (I'm a bit aways in Park Slope.)

And, there are still interesting spots in Manhattan, but that takes some describing...


- Barrett
 
I will be in NYC mid March, so hopefully gentrification is not that fast!

I got myself a New York Moleskine book to note all your tips in, and will try to do my best to see as much as I can.

on this site http://www.opacity.us/ [which is amazing and just found] there is a google maps link to the boat grave yard and you can clearly see skeletons of boats.

decay is such an interesting thing, and sometimes progress ruins the environment. You would be suprised to know I am an architect who only designs new shiny buildings, although photograph the opposite....... who knows why!

Thanks for the ideas, and if anything springs to mind I would appreciate it.
 
Ah, Red Hook

Ah, Red Hook

An ever so slightly contrarian view of the demise of Red Hook here - BAKED on Van Brunt St. serves the best almond croissants I've yet found on this planet. Definitely worth a stop while in the neighborhood.

-J.
 
Don't miss the Sasha Wolf Gallery in Tribeca. I saw the Paul McDonough show there in Oct and it was great street photography. It's a small gallery but if you're in the area take a look at some good photography....best of all it's free.

http://www.sashawolf.com/index.html
 
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