Coming to America..... Visiting NYC for a week starting 21 September. (Our first time.) Of course I am going to shoot all the well known sights, like any other tourist. From your...

David Taylor

Visiting NYC for a week starting 21 September. (Our first time.) Of course I am going to shoot all the well known sights, like any other tourist. From your experience and knowledge, what are the less obvious spots worth seeking out? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

David Taylor wrote:

Visiting NYC for a week starting 21 September. (Our first time.) Of course I am going to shoot all the well known sights, like any other tourist. From your experience and knowledge, what are the less obvious spots worth seeking out? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

2 sites, offhand. St. Patrick's Cathedral & Grand Central Station. I understand there's some "hidden" areas of GSS.
I'm sure I'll think of more later.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Try and go OUT of the city... NYC is NOT the real US- especially the people...

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

donrent wrote:

Try and go OUT of the city... NYC is NOT the real US- especially the people...

Ah, Don, we're not all bad. :)

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

There is a leisurely boat tour around Manhattan island that includes a great many interesting sights. I imagine they may not allow tripods, but the pace of the cruise should allow some nice hand-held shots. The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art located in Fort Tryon Park on a hill overlooking the Hudson River, features colorful, enjoyable exhibits of art, architecture and artifacts from Medieval Europe - well worth the cab ride.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

David Taylor wrote:

Visiting NYC for a week starting 21 September. (Our first time.) Of course I am going to shoot all the well known sights, like any other tourist. From your experience and knowledge, what are the less obvious spots worth seeking out? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Welcome.
I don't know NYC so I can't offer any suggestions, but I hope you enjoy yourself.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Staten Island Ferry ride used to be a bargain, Cheaper than the Circle Line, if that is still running. Washington Square, the West Village, SoHo -- don't know how things are under Di Blah blah reasonable under Bloomie -- good under Guiliani. Fashion avenue / garment district on a work day. Museum of the City of New York, the Cloisters. Top of the RCA building (think someone bought it / renamed it) always liked it better than Empire State for photos. If you go out early, not only is the light good, most of the "bad folks" aren't up yet. Don't miss the big camera shops!
Disclaimer -- my experience is pretty dated, so you'll need to check things out on the internet.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a spectacular view and it's free. If you are adventurous when you get to Brooklyn it's a 15 minute walk to Brooklyn Heights (Montague St. from Court St. to the Promenade). Lots of fashion shots are done on the promenade with the NYC skyline in the background. If you continue walking North past the end of the Promenade it will take you down to the river, lots of areas to walk and take pics of Manhattan across the river, and a park on what used to be waterfront piers. The Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights are some of the best sights in NYC. In addition to the great views of the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty, historic Brownstones, shops and ethnic restaurants, Greek, Italian, etc., are plentiful.
P.S. On the Brooklyn Bridge carefully observe and stay out of the bicycle lane. It can be empty but a fast moving bike can suddenly appear and plow into you if you are in that lane.
Bob

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Once you leave the city all you see is the same MCDonalds and Walmarts and Dairy Queens and Home Depots and strip malls the rest of the country has. That's not what 55million tourists a year come to NYC to see, or what the 8 million New Yorkers live there for.
Bob

donrent wrote:

Try and go OUT of the city... NYC is NOT the real US- especially the people...

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

donrent wrote:

Try and go OUT of the city... NYC is NOT the real US- especially the people...

Yes, it is the REAL U.S., because the REAL U.S. is made up of all types of people, not just the ones you happen to like.

As far as the OP's question, there is a lifetime of photo opportunities just in Manhattan, but if you can get to the other boroughs or even take a drive outside the city you will find even more. If you get a chance you might want to visit the B&H store at 349 West 34th St. (You may want to leave your credit card in your hotel room!) I'm quite sure that the staff there can give you any number of suggestions regarding photo opportunities.
Hope you have a great time!

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

David Taylor wrote:

Visiting NYC for a week starting 21 September. (Our first time.) Of course I am going to shoot all the well known sights, like any other tourist. From your experience and knowledge, what are the less obvious spots worth seeking out? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

DO do the tourist thing. It's a once in a lifetime thing!

I'm out of the city, an hour by train to Long Island.

My favorite place in Elizabeth Morton Reserve, there, wild birds will take feed out of your hands.

Of course there are many beaches, marinas, parks. a dozen light houses.

If you need further details, feel free to PM me._

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

Great idea to go to B&H and talk to the locals about places to shoot!
Not only do they know the area, they are passionate about photography too!

If I ever make it back there, that's what I'm going to do! (and leave the credit card in wifey's hands :-) )

GT

LFingar wrote:

Yes, it is the REAL U.S., because the REAL U.S. is... (show quote)

Leitz Loc: Solms

David Taylor wrote:

Visiting NYC for a week starting 21 September. (Our first time.) Of course I am going to shoot all the well known sights, like any other tourist. From your experience and knowledge, what are the less obvious spots worth seeking out? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

According to some of the posts here, you haven't seen New York unless you visit B&H Photo-Video. I believe you can set up a tour by contacting Herschel. I hope to make that trip myself some time.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Forgot to mention that on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge it's about a 10 minute walk to the South Street Seaport which has old sailing ships moored in the river that you can go on, lots of souvenir shops, street performers, etc. A little touristy, but worth seeing if you like that sort of thing.
For more info, pics, maps, etc. google South Street Seaport NY, or Brooklyn Heights NY, or Brooklyn Heights Promenade, or Brooklyn Bridge.
Bob

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Even if you are not an opera fan, seeing the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center is an experience you won't soon forget, but you won't be taking pictures of the performance. Orchestra seats are best and you can select your specific seats online. The season starts Sep 21. The German opera Tannhauser is playing October 8. There's no opera like a Wagner opera for impact. Here's links to the calenders for Sep and Oct.
You can buy your tickets online and choose your specific seats and prices on the website.

http://metopera.org/calendar#/on-stage?year=2015&month=8

http://metopera.org/calendar#/on-stage?year=2015&month=9

Bob