PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

No one is saying don't go - those of us who have been there and saw problems are just making people be aware that they should pay attention to what is going on around them. The last incidents that I heard of in Baltimore (and one I saw happen in front of me) have been aimed at tourists who were singled out by a group of young actors bent on just inflicting harm on somebody. It is always a good policy to be aware of your surroundings wherever you are shooting - even in a natural wilderness. I see many victims unknowingly advertise their vulnerability and are completely unaware that what they do in public attracts unwanted attention. Predators will identify their prey by its actions - whether the predictor is animal or human.

I have lived in DC and spend a lot of time in Baltimore (never lived there as you appear to). Along with time spent in New York's Brooklyn neighborhoods and growing up in Detroit's inner city, I have learned to diffuse and/or avoid problems as much as possible by staying alert to what is going on around me. If you consider that to be throwing 'barbs from the safety of the Internet' then maybe you don't understand the reality of life in a big city that has areas of poverty and crime. I would love to hear what your comment of 'As with any travel be smart' means. Probably something like all those who have posted warnings of crime in Baltimore have said ???

bfstuff

The OP is not going to NY. Going to Baltimore. Here is a link to that one:

http://www.poeinbaltimore.org/poe-house/

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I moved from Baltimore back in the early 1990's It was OK back then. My wife & I used to go to Fell's Point, Little Italy & the Inner Harbor a lot. I still know lots of people there in the Western & Northern suburbs. Like any other city, it has its dangerous areas. I would be careful at night though....When I was younger, I worked at several locations around town, but back then, things were different. I just saw a National Geographic special and it called Baltimore the Heroin Capital of the US with the worst area being around Lexington Market (which was one of my most favorite places)...Scary and the reason to be careful where ever you may go. Lots of photo op places, many already noted.

Steamboat

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Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Best to scout the area if you've never been there before for the best opportunities for what you're looking for. We skipped the Inner Harbor, to touristy for us, nice to walk around and sight see....Night photography should be good around the IH, however I wouldn't venture too far away, especially at night. We enjoyed Mama's on the Half Shell in East Baltimore, about a 1-1.5 miles east of the IH. Great food & Drink. Enjoy and hope you have good luck in getting what you want

PS, we always wore our Kevlar vests when touring Baltimore.....

sgt hop Loc: baltimore md,now in salisbury md

don't forget ft.mchenery

jdmarks64

If your schedule allows it, consider a half-day trip to Annapolis, about 50 miles away. A lot of photo ops around the harbor and in town itself, not to mention the Naval Academy.

ladypath

Other nice places for photos are Fort McHenry, Johns Hopkins Undergraduate campus, the old train station at Maryland Institute of Art, a boat in the harbor, cool little ethnic neighborhoods near U of Maryland professional schools and all over the place, Hampden (home of the John Waters tribute "Hon Fest"), ...whatever tickles your fancy

Mithrandir

Yelp has a nice list of photo ops in Baltimore.
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=places+to+take+pictures&find_loc=Baltimore%2C+MD

Steamboat

That is a great list!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The Engineers Club is fabulous inside and outside. Also nearby it is a tower you can climb dedicated to George Washington. The neighborhood around this area is historic and beautiful.