Planning a trip to New York

[xpress_on]

Hello,

I’m planning a trip to New York and I will bring with me my Bessa R and the Heliar 15mm , the Ultron 35mm and one Jupiter 8 50mm. I’m looking to some street photography more than monuments or cityscapes but I also what to some good night pictures so I’m thinking in bringing with me my tripod.

Now some questions:


Do you think that bringing a tripod is a good idea? I’m afraid that a tripod could call too much attention.

Any places to go to take good street pictures?

Many thanks in advance

Best regards

Nuno Cruz

Lisboa / Portugal

 

[chambrenoire]

Dump the tripod! If you plan on going up on top of buildings the guards won't like it. Go light.. Have a great trip, NYC is fantastic!

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I haven't been there in a while but Coney Island in the summer before they tear it down. See if they will let you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Years ago there was a pedestrian path across the bridge.

 

[Mackinaw]

I agree, don't take along a tripod. As for places to take pictures, and you're going to be in Manhattan, try Chinatown, Times Square (especially late at night) and Central Park. Actually just look at a map, pick a place, and just wander around. NYC is definitely great for street photography, if that's what you're looking for.

Maybe Fred (Nikonwebmaster) will see this. He lives in NYC (or nearby) and I'm sure can give you many suggestions as to where to go.

Jim B.

 

[WoolenMammoth]

you can walk across virtually all the bridges in new york city, we are an island, there are many.

Unless you desire to have the same rote tourist pictures that everyone else has, you can skip everything about times square. As for taking good street pictures, the whole island is paved with streets, any will do. More than any other in the US, this is a pedestrian city, there is movement going on everywhere. I would be more concerned with translating the pace of this city into your photographs rather than what to photograph, that is of course what most of the photos I see of this city are lacking and why the good ones are celebrated.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Leave the tripod, take fast film instead. And a second body (if you have one), just in case. I'd take one loaded with B&W, and the other with color. Your wide angle should be good. Check out the "W/NW Let's go wide" thread for ideas.

 

[retnull]

Coney Island is a good suggestion. Also Chinatown, Central Park, East Village, West Village, etc. New York is all about the unexpected and infinite possibilities: if you let things happen, you might be amazed.
For photo books, Dashwood Books on Bond Street stock artist photography books only -- incredible selection, things you won't find anywhere else.

 

[BigSteveG]

take the tripod if you'll be shooting at night!

 

[xpress_on]

Thank you all for the tips and answers.

I can’t wait to go to New York, unfortunately I’m only going in September…

I’m going to take my Bessa R and Nikon D80. I’m also thinking in taking a Hexar AF but I’m having problems with the camera lately.

Best Regards

Nuno Cruz

Lisboa / Portugal

 

[agi]

New York is so much fun. Bring comfy shoes as you're going to do a ton of walking. I was there recently and came upon Jeff Mermelstein on 5th Ave. & 42nd. I was mesmerized and introduced myself to him and mentioned that I saw the Youtube video of him. He said it was nice to see another film user (I had my M6 with me).

 

[dof]

Bring the tripod! I always bring mine when visiting and keep coming back to the night shots as the most interesting.

 

[amateriat]

I say lose the tripod (or, if you must, get hold of a pocket tripod, like a Glottos, and keep it bolted to the bottom of whichever camera you're using most...handy for bracing against lampposts or the wall of a building, and less likely to cause a ruckus). Bring some moderate-to-fast film (one advantage of visiting NYC: you don't really have to bring any film with you, since we've got whatever you want/need, and competitively priced to boot).

As far as interesting places to photograph, the list is long, but I agree with others on skipping the Square, which is now little more than a tourist trap with a huge electric bill. (With ConEd hitting us with a 22-25% rate hike, I'd hate to see the collective tab for that light show by summer's end). Almost anyplace south of 14th Street, East or West, is interesting. Coney here in Brooklyn is a natural, but don't forget Red Hook/Gowanus as well. Don't try to cover too much ground in too little time, and I think you'll truly enjoy yourself here.


- Barrett

 

[Walter Leporati]

planning a trip to New York City

planning a trip to New York City

Leave the tripod at home like others have said. I've lived here all my life and have been photographing the City for well over 30 years. September is the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy Sept. 11 thru the 21st., with a Cannoli eating contest in Little Italy on Sept. 12 (Friday). The City is easy to get around in via the subway system (I take pictures on subway with a quiet Leica and Delta 400 film at 1/30 and f/2.8) which usually give good results. The crowed areas of the city are Canal Street, Midtown at 34th. St. up to 58 st which includes Times Square. September still has alot of Street Fairs on weekends - check New York Times for their locations. The downtown area (below 4th St. ) has more character than the Midtown area; i.e. steeets have names not numbers, building are not so tall, shopping is less costly and I find the faces more varied. That's about it. I will answer any questions you may have.

 

[dmr]

Good vantage point is the top of the GE (nee RCA) building at Rockefeller Center. When I was young, it was free, but now it's like US$20. A guy who was just there said you can no longer lean over and look down on St. Pat.

The esplanade in Brooklyn Heights will give you good views of lower Manhattan. A more distant view is from the 69th. St. Pier.

Take the Circle Line tour! 🙂