donie95 Loc: Staten Island NY

I have lived in NYC All my life I am 60 years old and have been a photo hobbyist for about 5 years. What I can tell you is Nothing is as good or bad as what you see on TV. Especially the News Everyone has an agenda. I would be like me saying everyone from Virginia were County folk having never been there and see a TV program. That's why we were given the benefit of independent thought. I have gone many time on my own all over NYC and never had any issues. I would take the advice of others who have said take a guided tour of Manhattan. See what interests you then venture back to those places on your own and photograph what interested you the most. As a side note others have mentioned that NYC has 5 boroughs and most people this on NY as Manhattan. You could consider Brooklyn. It would be the 4th Largest city in the country if it were not a borough of NYC. If cemeteries don't scare you I would Suggest Green-wood cemetery in Brooklyn. It offers tours and its beautiful with plenty of famous people interred there. They offer wonderful tours and you would never believe you are in the middle of a Large city

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Isn't Fox News the place where some peaceful NewYorker set their 50 foot Christmas Tree on fire, got caught doing it, and was out of jail before the firefighters got home?

Anyway, the FBI keeps statistics on crime, probably vastly understated, but none-the-less NYC crime rate is through the roof. Denying it changes nothing.

hman49

James Maher photo tours

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Living in NY and N.J. I have been to NYC to many times to count. There is a book Photographing New York City digital field guide by Jeremy Pollack. Central Park is a wonderful place and museums are close the MET and Natural History and the overlooked N.Y. Historical Society. The World Trade Center Memorial (which is next to the Museum) is extremely moving and that whole area is worth a visit.
Also
Flatiron building
Grand Central terminal
Empire State Building
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Rockefeller Ctre

If you on ly have. Short time limit yourself to an area.
I have never had a bad experience in NY. Just be observant and take precautions as you would anywhere.
I keep my wallet in a zippered compartment inside my zippered purse. (In Paris a pickpocket tried unsuccessfully tried to get my wallet)
Enjoy.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

This was already mentioned, https://jamesmaherphotography.com/workshops/

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

Sorry but where have you been for the last 3 years? Unlike politicians, statistics don't lie. Even Governor Hocul admits the rise in violent crime in NYC. She just addressed it in her 2023 state of the state speach. There are frequently local newspaper reports of the same criminal being arrested for burglary/theft up to 25 times in a 5 day stretch since bail reform. A week ago a woman with multiple previous burglary arrests was caught breaking into Robert DeNiro's condo with him and his daughter upstairs. She complained the police should just relesase her because she didn't actually take anything.

Years ago I used to love taking a day trip to NYC, no more. I only go with a group or with someone who knows the current safe areas and times. Upstate NY is beautiful and most upstate residents would prefer NYC to be severed and made into a separate state.

bw79st Loc: New York City

YES & NO.

Yes, it is always on the news and no it is the lowest in decades.

News reports are not an indicator of crime statistics.

JRD3 Loc: Richmond, VA

Thanks. Will do a tour with him next week. I appreciate your suggestion.

JRD3 Loc: Richmond, VA

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. I appreciate your time. I always find it exciting to go to NYC.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Right you are, but it is useless to argue with those who restrict their news intake and analysis to Fox News. In fact, crime is “statistically” up in NYC over the past year, but what is not mentioned on that network is that, one, violent crime is way down and two, while total reported crime in NYC may be up from recent years, NYC is still one of the safest big urban areas in the country. But parsing the statistics to point out to its core audience that NYC remains a comparatively safe city is not in Fox’s best interest. Portraying NYC as a violent hell hole is what brings its audience to near orgasm.

All major urban areas (in the US and elsewhere) have crime. Shall we just stay home and quake in fear or continue to enjoy travel while taking reasonable precautions ?

bw79st Loc: New York City

Right. Violent crime is up in 2022 compared to 2021, but in 2021 NYC was essentially a ghost town. The 2021 statistics were unusually low because of COVID.

kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky

How right you are! Crime is up in all major cities. To hear the “news” Chicago is like the Wild West with shootings every 10 min. Portland and Seattle are hobo waste lands. Funny how they do not mention Florida or Texas. I am was born in ElPaso and have friends in Dallas and ElPaso would not live in either city anymore. I-10 has been shut down for gun battles between cartels across the border were the bullets were coming over on the U.S. side hitting cars along the interstate. Let’s say I would rather walk down a street in NY with a $4000 dollar camera than my old home town. But as stated in other posts and the same for any major city; take a tour first or talk to locals as to were to go and not go and be aware of where you are. My relatives advise avoid the Times Square area of if have to go during the day and get out fast. Take a point and shoot camera and do not aim it anywhere near or in the direction of anybody dressed up and anyway.

steleky Loc: New York City

Gee, I just took the subway to Times Square to see a Broadway show. Wasn't mugged, didn't see a fight, no cops bringing down a gun-toting criminal. My daughter lives in Manhattan. Go there weekly. I've survived. I've lived in NYC for 69 of my 75 years (the other 6 in Chicago). I traveled the subways to high school, college, graduate school, and work. Never a problem. As in any other urban area, you should stay alert and out of certain locations, which you probably have no reason to visit anyway. Just go and enjoy.

SparkyNYC Loc: NYC & Coconut Creek,Fl

Born and raised
Did not drive till I was 27
Public transportation is the most effective way to travel
The OP asked about photo tours, I wish that I knew of one
Try to take a round trip on the SI ferry and on the way back to Manhattan you will get views that take your breath away.
Keep your camera in a bag when on the subway, stay alert, and enjoy your visit.
Please do not listen to the negative comments that some of our members have.
You know what they say about opinions, we all have them and they all stink.

Amadeus Loc: New York

I go to the city fairly often. Don’t own a bullet proof vest, nor hand cuffs. And as someone else suggested, I have a mirror.
Just saying….