JRD3 Loc: Richmond, VA

Any Hog had experience (good or bad) with photography tours of NYC? Any specific comments would be appreciated.
I know New York offers unlimited possibilities for shooting. I am looking for something to focus my efforts.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Lots of good opportunities for pics.
Wear a bullet proof vest, handcuff your equipment to your wrist, take your own selfies!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Bill_de Loc: US

If you are going to be there for more than a day, take a tour. Then, the rest of the day and the next day go back an concentrate that really interested you. Most people who say NYC are thinking of Manhattan. That's only one of 5 buroughs. Do some reseaarch. If you like the Zoo, you could easily spend a day at the Bronx Zoo. Like Churches? There are plenty to choose from. If you like to shoot people, around 8 1/2 million should be enough and you will see people from all around the world. See what the UN has to offer during the time you expect to be there. Almost forgot Central Park.

What I'm getting at is that you can see just about anything. Let the folks here know what you are interested in and you will get some specifics on how to approuch NYC.

Of course if you lived in NYC, you could just take your time and see it all.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

daldds Loc: NYC

Lots of good opportunities for pics.
Wear a bullet proof vest, handcuff your equipment to your wrist, take your own selfies!

I guess I am missing something, but the above, even if facetious, is a poor representation. I am 87, almost 88, and travel by bus and subway to many parts of Manhattan, routinely, and Brooklyn and Queens often...by myself, usually.
When riding, I do not wear any type of ear phone, or read. I try to maintain situational awareness as a routine. Also, I do not go by myself to areas where I would look like a victim. I did not get to this age by being stupid.
(I never take selfies. The mirror reminds me of all I need to know.)
There are many hogs who live in and around New York City who can help you, but give some hints about your interests and how much time you have.
Feel free to contact me by pm.

raypep

Great advice : “take a tour then go back to the places that interested you most”

kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky

We were there in 2019 and had heard all the stories about how bad New York was; hand cuff your camera to your wrist, etc. and for 60 years had no real desire to go, until we decided to take a New England cruise that left out of NY and the thought of sailing past the Statue of Liberty at night would be and was awe inspiring. We were prepared for the worse but found that it was just the opposite, shockingly people were very friendly and help full. Maybe because they felt they need to help these old people find their way. I have a relative that lives there and his suggestion was to pick just one area of Manhattan that you really want to see ( lower end, middle or upper) and just stay there and concentrate your visit there in that one area. Then come back and do the other part next time. He said so many people try to see it all on a very short stay 3 or 4 days you really do not get to see and enjoy those areas and end up tired and exhausted ( unless you are in your 20’s) My interest for our first visit were the World Trade Center and associated museums, St Paul’s Church, Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, the bridge, and of course Mecca for all photographers B&H Photo. So basically the lower end. We spent 4 days there not including the arrival and leaving days; just in that area and barely got to see every thing. We spent one whole day just doing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island on a very nice guided walking tour. B&H was a half day could have stayed longer but my wife drug me out. I gave him list of hotels and he suggested the The Conrad in lower Manhattan it has views of the Statue of Liberty and a-block from the World Trade Center, on a very for New York quite street. It was a great hotel and would recommend it for location and convenience in that area. I would put were I wanted to in my phone and we would take off walking with me looking at my phone. Several times young people would stop and ask what are we looking for and they would give us landmarks to look for to get there so we did not have to look at the phone. One even told us a great pizza place that was closer than the one we were going to. One thing that was very noticeable to us is that in the lower end there area very few older people (ie over 60) manly young professionals. We ate a a little sidewalk cafe that some of the best Chinese I have ever tasted watch all the people steam out of a building one day it was incredible were were eating for over and hour and it was a non stop massive flow, I mean hundreds, of people out of this building. I took camera and tripod for night shots of the WTC and Statue of Liberty and New Jersey shore line. Never felt afraid and found several other photographers doing the same, who were very helpful on suggestions for locations, etc.

His suggestion for Times Square (tourist trap and where the muggers, scam artists and pick pockets are) was to take the subway exit out take a few photos as you walk across the street to the return side of the subway. And not to stay at any hotel in the area as they are all infested with bed bugs. This is probably were most people who visit stay and spend time in hence handcuff your camera to your wrist comment. His comment was the rude people are the tourists.

For our next trip we will do Central Park and the Museums around the park some of which he said you could spend all day in. And for that we will stay in a hotel either next to the park or very near it.

Oh for a kind fun tour guide look up Sara Funk, she has some You Tube videos, at the time we went she was doing a walking tour of the lower end that was great. Do not know if she still doing them or not. Hope this helps.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Crime and murder is the highest now than in decades.
It is always on the news, including videos.

bw79st Loc: New York City

I agree with this. I'm 80 and have lived in NYC all my life except for a small stretch in Saigon and later LA. (I preferred Saigon.) I grew up here riding the subway so I have a feel for the system that many do not have. I can't recall ever feeling in danger but then I don't make a habit of using the subways after 11pm except for the times I had to work an overnight shift.

You can walk around Manhattan with your camera but I would suggest putting it in bag of some sort when on the subway. It doesn't pay to advertise! Also, use your head. If someone is disruptive on a subway platform move away. If on a train, get off and switch to the next car - there is plenty of time at stops to do that. I doubt many tourists will be walking around north of 86 St except on Fifth Ave where many museums are. South of 86 St is where most of what you want to see is located.

On weekends try riding city buses as the traffic is light and you get to see a lot. During the week the north/south routes can be jammed in traffic. That's also the same traffic your taxi or Uber is sitting in! Crosstown bus routes always seem to be moving well.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Willing to bet you get your news from Fox. Have you ever actually been to NYC, or do you just recite the garbage that Rupert tells you?

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

New York City does offer unlimited possibilities for shooting. You can use Photoshop's "Spot Healing Brush" to heal any bullet holes seen in your pictures.😜

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Yes, been there many times and recently as well.
It is now a sewer of crime compared to some years ago.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

A friend of mine is part of the NY Photo Safari.

https://newyorkcityphotosafari.com/?fbclid=IwAR0ya2nZ274Fy6TqJeFIr_TJjLv7-nNEsCiqDD1dwhI-6AAUoVOFFH_PBn4

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I HATE NY, I had to go there every friday for 10 years. Fight traffic , find parking what a night mare...
I never took a tour but trust me, if you have never been there. You'll find LOTS to shoot .......I think Id take the tour. They will point you in the right directions, and keep you out of areas you shouldnt go into...