New York City photography
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York City for two weeks as a retirement gift beginning June 20. The trip is primarily for photography in various locations. Following advice from many, I decided not to rent a car which means I'm on foot or using transit or Uber. I enjoy shooting skylines and street photography and open to any suggestions for shooting in safe areas.
In my google searches, I explored Coney Island, Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Edge observation deck for the aerial look and the various burros. I'm staying in the Financial District, which seems reasonably close to the Brooklyn Bridge, which will hopefully provide views of the skyline. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
I really appreciate any advice or tips anyone can provide.
Don’t miss the Good old Empire State Building. It’s one of the few observation decks without glass to shoot through. Fabulous views all round and I think it’s open in the evening as well.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
jsimp3 wrote:
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York City for two weeks as a retirement gift beginning June 20. The trip is primarily for photography in various locations. Following advice from many, I decided not to rent a car which means I'm on foot or using transit or Uber. I enjoy shooting skylines and street photography and open to any suggestions for shooting in safe areas.
In my google searches, I explored Coney Island, Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Edge observation deck for the aerial look and the various burros. I'm staying in the Financial District, which seems reasonably close to the Brooklyn Bridge, which will hopefully provide views of the skyline. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
I really appreciate any advice or tips anyone can provide.
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York... (
show quote)
A new carousel opened near the ferry dock for the Statue of Liberty. Shooting the new train station near the 911 memorial. Riding the elevator to the top of the 911 memorial. Idora Park carousel near the East River. Riding the new water taxies. Photographing the wild Turkeys on Staten Island. Time Square at night. Empire State building vestibule. United Nations building, inside and out.
A few suggestions: The Promenade, Central Park/Zoo, Grand Central Station( take tour if offered), American Museum of Natural History
I would, given the situations on the subways use Uber and forgo the subways. Coney Island I would put on the end of my list. The Staten Island Ferry is free also good views of lower New York. If you want to see some spectacular night views of the city go to the Brooklyn Heights area and then to The Promenade. Ellis Island is a good place and the views on the ferry ride are varied. The weather may. be a little hot and humid. I would not schlep a loaded camera bag around. Sad to say. be aware of your surroundings. Oh, you will not see many"burros" in the city as you travel from borough to borough. Have a great time.
jsimp3 wrote:
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York City for two weeks as a retirement gift beginning June 20. The trip is primarily for photography in various locations. Following advice from many, I decided not to rent a car which means I'm on foot or using transit or Uber. I enjoy shooting skylines and street photography and open to any suggestions for shooting in safe areas.
In my google searches, I explored Coney Island, Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Edge observation deck for the aerial look and the various burros. I'm staying in the Financial District, which seems reasonably close to the Brooklyn Bridge, which will hopefully provide views of the skyline. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
I really appreciate any advice or tips anyone can provide.
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York... (
show quote)
I've always liked Brooklyn Bridge, China town, Little Italy, another trip on the Circle Line around the island is on my list, Staten Island Ferry (both morning and evening), South street Seaport, Battery Park, all near the financial district, PM me if you runout of ideas, I do live in the city, outer borough, Staten Island, Bob.
Skylines... Weehawkin, NJ.. Hoboken, NJ... Newport Ctr, Jersey City, NJ... Rockafeller Park in Manhattan, Domino Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hunter's Point South Park, and Bklyn Bridge Park (DUMBO). Don't worry, you'll be safe. Just pay attention... like anywhere else on earth. HAVE FUN! Don't forget a light tripod/beanbag for dawn/dusk
Mark Williams wrote:
Skylines... Weehawkin, NJ.. Hoboken, NJ... Newport Ctr, Jersey City, NJ... Rockafeller Park in Manhattan, Domino Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hunter's Point South Park, and Bklyn Bridge Park (DUMBO). Don't worry, you'll be safe. Just pay attention... like anywhere else on earth. HAVE FUN! Don't forget a light tripod/beanbag for dawn/dusk
Manhattan at night from Weehawken is awesome. And to think what you are looking at is just one of the FIVE boroughs.
I've stayed in the Financial District several times. You do have easy foot-access to the Brooklyn Bridge and the 9/11 Memorial. If you want to go to the Statue of Liberty and / or Ellis Island, you have to have scheduled tickets purchased in advance, even before the Pandemic. It's hard to gamble on the weather this far in the future, but at least visit their website and see if they're open and how to get ferry tickets:
https://www.statueofliberty.org/visit/ If you have a candidate day, see if tickets are available today to confirm if that candidate day is even an option.
Best view of Lady Liberty is the Staten Island Ferry, 24 hr a day, free, what more could you ask? Nice view of the Narrows too!
The Hy Line - the former elevated railroad that has been converted into a walking park.
Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the 9-11 Memorial Site and new museum, the Hy-Line (Meat Market area?), Staten Island Ferry, the Statue of Liberty. Central Park, including the zoo. Any photographer worth his salt would visit B&H Camera just for the fun of it...it is a dangerous place luring you to spend money like sirens luring ships onto the rocks..but what a way to go! As I faintly recall, there is someone from B&H who monitors this site and will set up a tour??? (Others please chime in on this.) I went there for half a day and only left because my poor wife was sitting in lobby.
I would suggest looking at Viator for interesting little tours..we did walking food tours of China Town, Little Italy and a tenement museum..all good for photography. As I recall there is a very good photography museum in the middle of all this as well...can't remember exactly where.
Lastly, I like to travel and generally do not let safety and security dictate my entire trip. But I would avoid the subways right now. A few years ago NYC was one of the shining examples of urban renewal and massive reduction in crime. Sadly, that trend has reversed with the subways, amongst other things, suffering an uptick in crime. Uber and Lyft are great in NYC (or used to be)...take them. Would I carry around a tripod and a bag full of gear? Probably not...
I myself have fallen prey to the Sirens at B&H... THEY ARE REAL!!! Ask Odysseus... Subway, like most all cooks are like wild Apex predators... they prey on the unsuspecting, unprepared and mostly UNAWARE!!! If you pay attention to your surroundings and wear your gear smart, you'll be fine.
I only went there once, and most of my recommendations are all listed above.
I would add one that nobody mentioned so far, if open, try to get to Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) before sunset. Very nice view with the added bonus of having Empire State in your frame :)
jsimp3 wrote:
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York City for two weeks as a retirement gift beginning June 20. The trip is primarily for photography in various locations. Following advice from many, I decided not to rent a car which means I'm on foot or using transit or Uber. I enjoy shooting skylines and street photography and open to any suggestions for shooting in safe areas.
In my google searches, I explored Coney Island, Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Edge observation deck for the aerial look and the various burros. I'm staying in the Financial District, which seems reasonably close to the Brooklyn Bridge, which will hopefully provide views of the skyline. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
I really appreciate any advice or tips anyone can provide.
My grandchildren have allowed me to visit New York... (
show quote)
I loved wandering aimlessly in Central Park and around the brownstones.
Remember NYC crime and random murder is rapidly rising and is now worse than it has been in over a decade after Guilanni cleaned it up.
So be careful as the crime is random and having a camera and acting like a tourist makes you a target.
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