ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm going to be in Charleston for about 4 days this next week. I'm wondering if there are any "must photograph this area" spots that you know of.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

check out http://www.charlestoncvb.com

Charleston's convention and visitors bureau website.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The Magnolia Plantation is quite beautiful.
http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/

Of course, there is also Fort Sumter, which is historically important, but is far different from the way it looked at the start of the Civil War and is frankly not visually striking.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

What others said, plus the Ravenel Bridge at night and daytime, too. You can drive across the bridge and vist the USS Yorktown.

Of course anything in the historic district, and along the Battery. If you can, get a peek at some of the gardens behind the million dollar homes. They are lovely. Most are behind gates, but sometimes they are left open. The old churches are beautiful. Last Saturday, however, we only found one that was open. There may be more open during the week. (Of course they are open for services) take a walk through the grand hotels or the charming bed and breakfasts along Bay St.

Sometimes the Gullah women will allow you to photograph them while they are making their sweetgrass baskets...but often they will not allow pictures to be taken. Just depends. You will aee them in the market and on the street corners.
If you like history and are into cemeteries, Magnolia Cemetery on Cunnington St is fantastic. Crew members from the Hunley are buried there plus confederate soldiers and many of the historical movers and shakers. It is a huge cemetery. You will have to drive there, but is not far. Perhaps 15 minutes from historic district.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thank you for the link. I'll be sure to check it out.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

That sounds interesting. We have not had any flowers to shoot yet up in New Jersey. On the list.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Church St.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

When I was there the seafront sunset was spectacular. During dusk the sky went almost monochrome.
Sad to say I missed the actual sunset as we walked to the seafront but just looking up and down the streets told me I'd missed something special.

aizzi Loc: Malvern, PA USA

I traveled to Charleston about three years ago and took a walking tour with Joyce. She will hit the high spots for you if you don't have the time to investigate. I took some great shots on the tour and she was helpful in setting the stage.

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/events_news/charleston-news/__charleston_photo_tours__a_new_walking_tour-679

RAFriedman Loc: NYC/ Philadelphia

I found it a very difficult place to photograph since everywhere I turned was picture postcard perfect and manicured. It was a real challenge.

Jbat Loc: Charleston, SC

To add a couple of thoughts: In the garden category, both Magnolia and Middleton Place are magnificent right now. This is the best time of year. Downtown, you might visit the waterfront park at the "blue hour" and photo the pineapple fountain and the other fountain which you will see. The sun rises across the river over the Yorktown and can be photographed from this location. In Mt Pleasant, a visit to Shem Creek will yield many photo opportunities of various boats, etc, including shrimp trawlers. This is best photographed at sunset. Also, the downtown churches are great to photograph at the"blue hour" in the early morning.

crackerpacks Loc: Lomita, CA

You will absolutely love Charleston; it's a photographer's paradise.

There are great photo opportunities everywhere, but here are a few of my favorites:

Church Street- Churches of course, but one beautiful home after another also. The last section before South Battery is brick.

Pineapple Fountain- A favorite location at Waterfront Park. If you want a photo with no people, it can be quite challenging. Get there early in the morning.

Gateway Walk- A scenic walk through old church cemeteries. Lots to see on this 3 1/2 block walk between the Unitarian Church and St. Philip's Church.

Magnolia Plantation garden- Always gorgeous, but is unbelievable this time of year.

Have a great time!

Silvermeteor Loc: South Carolina, USA

You could spend the whole four days downtown. The azaleas are beginning to bloom heavily right now. The old homes in downtown vary in size from small to large. Best thing to do down there is start on the Battery with the most prestigious homes and just walk. Be sure to carry water since it can get a little warm even now.

You can also take a carriage ride thru the downtown area to get a good idea what you can see before your walk.

Magnolia Plantation is noted for the flowers.

If you have transportation and do not mind a little ride you might consider Brookgreen Gardens which is located on Highway 17 about an hour or so north. Brookgreen is heavily planted with flowering plants and loaded with sculptures.

If you go there then be sure to go thru downtown Georgetown. It is also chock full of old homes.

The churches in Charleston are a good bet. Charleston is known as the Holy City. The city is also known for the wrought iron fences and gates.

If possible take a wide angle lens since this will improve your chance of getting a good shot. The streets are narrow. Even without one there are numerous vignettes everywhere you turn.

Waterfront park is a great place to walk and offers a few fountains. You also have a great view from there of the Ravanell Bridge which connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant. The bridge is also lit at night.

Across the river Mount Pleasant also has it's own more subdued down town area.

Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant is a collection of WW II naval ships including the aircraft carrier Yorktown.

All in all you could not have picked a better time to visit a beautiful city.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

If such things interest you, there is the Hunley exhibit, the first submarine to have successfully attacked an enemy vessel in war (the Civil War). It then sank, with crew aboard, in the ocean waters near Charleston but was discovered and raised about ten or fifteen years ago. The sub is available for viewing in a building dedicated to it and containing information and memorabilia (translation: stuff you can buy).

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I lived in Charleston for about six years and my youngest daughter moved back there about five years ago and lives in Mt. Pleasant. Lots of good suggestions already. You could spend most of a day along Shem Creek. Go there just before sunrise and capture the early morning activity. If you cross the bridge to the other side of Shem Creek, make the first right, and wind your way through the old neighborhood you will come across a fishery where they process some of the "catches of the day". The workers throw fish heads and unwanted parts into the creek out a side door and the pelicans swarm to get the parts. While at Shem Creek, RB's is a nice place to eat but most of the locals prefer Shem Creek Bar and Grill which is on the other side of the highway you'll have turned off of. Also while on Mt. Pleasant visit ION. It is an upscale community where all the homes are fashioned after the historic homes of downtown Charleston. The homes are beautiful and many are set around two lakes on the propertry or along a canal connecting the two lakes. You will instantly want to buy a home there! You'll need eat while in Charleston and here are a couple of suggestions: 82 Queen is a long time favorite (their shrimp and grits is maybe the best in Charleston), Poe's out on Sullivan's Island is quaint and set in a small beach community setting. Downtown across from the Customs House is a place called Fleet Landing. For fine dining there is a newer restaurant that has gotten good reviews called Husk. If you like BBQ, try the yellow mustard based BBQ. Bessingers is excellent. Also the restaurant called California Dreaming is nice. You can set by one of the huge windows and see Dolphin jumping in the brackish water where the Ashley river meets Charleston harbor. At night go back over to Mt. Pleasant. There is a city park right under the large bridge you cross from Charleston. You can get great sunset shots from there and unique shots of the lighted bridge at night. There is a condo complex just north of the park and if you park in their lot and take the path around back of the condos, you will get great shots of the bridge at night.
If you go to Magnolia Gardens (highly recommended) be sure and take the Swamp walk. It will get you up close to many water foul, allegators, turtles, etc. Take a carriage ride through downtown, you will get more history than trying to find it on your own. Go see the Citidel College (my daughter is being married in the chapel there April 25th). Have a great trip and post some shots when you return.