craig.j.tucker

thanx

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I've live in the St. Louis area all my life and worked downtown as well. The "City" of St. Louis is actually quite small. "St. Louis County" is very large. East St. Louis is actually Illinois and it is very economically depressed and quite unsavory. There are "Strip Clubs" as soon as you cross into East St. Louis and of course all that goes along with it.

In my work (no retired) I would carry my camera around to photograph job sites and I had no worries however that was always during the day. Expect the City of St. Louis to be the same as other major Cities as far as opportunities for not so nice folks. There is not much housing in the downtown area. The most crime ridden areas are in the north county area.

As a local resident, here's my advice: 1. There is nothing for you in East St. Louis so simply don't go. 2. Go to the arch during the day and you will be just fine. 3. Laclede's Landing is along the riverfront and there are plenty of historic buildings and dining establishments and it is quite secure. 4. The City Museum, AB Brewery, Soulard Area, Lemp Mansion, and the Zoo and Forest Park attractions are all nice and secure. 5. Do not go alone for obvious reasons if you are not familiar with the City.

Other advice: 1. Do not use the camera strap that advertises the type of camera for it is like wearing a Rolex Watch and bad guys know what things are worth. 2. Use a thief-proof camera strap when traveling for they have a thin cable in them that can't be "cut and run". The same goes for your backpack.

MOST IMPORTANTLY.....MISSOURI IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY STATE and we have STAND YOUR GROUND LAWS. I carry locked-and-cocked everywhere the law allows. Remember, if you look like a victim you will more than likely become a victim..!

craig.j.tucker

Interesting about "Stand Your Ground Laws".

No worries about me looking like a victim. Five black punks robbed me last year, but that's while they were getting near my camera gear and I just kept my eye on them while the others took my camera bag which had my credit cards in it.

Cost me about $150 to replace it, but I'll go to my death (with one of them) protecting my gear.

I slapped one across the face last year, with five of them standing there. I live downtown Chicago and we're filthy with homeless down here.

I'm serious, Ive just about had it. OK, so I won't go across the river to photograph the Arch late at night, but I will get me sunset shots.

They've been robbing women of new I-phones right on elegant Michigan Ave.

I don't like Trump much, but I'd be more than happy to let him take care. of Chicago's and St. Louis' dirtbag problems.

PaulB Loc: Alabama

From the Peartree, you can also get some spectacular sunset photos of the Arch, since the sun is setting behind your hotel ( in the west) and reflecting on the arch and STL buildings as it sets.

Diamond41 Loc: St. Louis, MO

elliott937, you are very accurate in what you say. Most of our problems are located in the two areas you describe, both of which have historical sites not to be missed. But if you are very aware of your surroundings you can do quite abit. Most of the people are wonderful to talk to and work with.

To the OP, check out Forest Park area while here. Home to the 1904 Worlds Fair, has some wonderful architecture to see and a world class zoo that is free.

alamomike47 Loc: San Antonio, Texas

I would visit here:http://iphf.org It's the International Photography Hall of Fame featuring baseball right now.

I like the shoot of the arch over center field.

Cards Vs Cubs...Cards won

b roll wanabee

Photography by day for most everything.
The downtown area including the ball park is fine. Don't worry but don't be an idiot.
They did not allow backpacks into the ballpark so travel light if you go

The church of St Louis nw of city center was my personal favorite.
It is off the beaten path. I think a little closer to where they buried the waste from the Manhattan project.
Mosaics like nowhere else in the world.

Have fun and definitely have a beer at the bud Weiser factory.

craig.j.tucker

I wasn't planning to take my camera to the park, but your photo is changing my mind.

I'll be sitting in the 8th row along first base, between home plate and the Cubs dugout.

Checked out the photo museum. Put it on my "do-do" list.

Thanks

alamomike47 Loc: San Antonio, Texas

The photo is from the upper between the home plate the cards dugout. Dogs are good brat are bad. Just outside the right field is picnic bench to have a beer. Much cheaper than the ball park prices. I only drink one beer in the park as it's the price of a 12 pack. Go to St. Louis from Texas to attend one game a year always the Cubs. Was there in May. Mike

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

You don't want to be out at 1:00 a.m. anywhere.

If you want to get a great picture of The Arch and the St. Louis riverfront, go to Malcolm W. Martin Park, 185 W. Trendley Avenue, East St. Louis, IL. You shouldn't have a problem during the day. There's an observation place where you can get a great shot.

Also, the St. Louis area has a lot of things to see. Check out the world-famous St. Louis Zoo. The admission is free. You can park on the street or pay $15.00 to park in a lot. The zoo is in Forest Park. Also in Forest Park is the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and Missouri History Museum. These are free. There may be fees for certain exhibits. If you like musical theater, check out the Muny. It's celebrating its 100th year. It's the largest outdoor musical theater in the country. It's also in Forest Park. Visit the Forest Park Forever center in Forest Park for more information.

While in the City of St. Louis, you might want to check out City Museum, City Garden and the new museum under The Arch which just recently opened after a 4 year renovation of Arch grounds. The museum is free.

The International Hall of Photography is located off Grand. You can probably Google info online for more information.

Missouri Botanical Gardens is another place worth seeing. There is a fee for getting in. MoBot is having an event called Floral Borealis (sp) at night. Great opportunity for some unusual pictures. Check it out at the Missouri Botanical Garden Website.

If you like to take pictures of cemeteries, there are several in the St. Louis area. Bellefontaine is one of the oldest. There's also Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in south St. Louis County. It's off Telegraph Road.

If you like dogs, go to the AKC Dog Museum in Queeney Park, which is in St. Louis Country. This museum was moved from New York several years ago because the AKC was running out of room for all the pieces they had. It's in a beautiful building. The AKC pays only $1.00 per year to rent the space. Unfortunately, the AKC is planning on moving the museum back to New York to a place that's smaller than they had before. Stupid move on the part of the AKC. The museum will close in October :(

Another place to go is the Purina Event Center and Purina Farms in Gray Summit, MO just off exit 253. Also in the same area is Shaw Nature Reserve. You can visit both in the same day as they are very close to each other.

Laumeier Sculpture Park is in the Kirkwood area. There's an old train station in Kirkwood you might find interesting.

The World Bird Sanctuary is off I-44 on the way to Gray Summit. Also in the same area, is Lone Elk Park.

Hope you enjoy your stay in St. Louis.

Happy photographing.

craig.j.tucker

Boy, am I getting some suggestions!

After seeing your beautiful photo of the park with the arch behind it, I decided I would take my camera to the park, but then I read all of Busch Park's rules: Lens cannot be be bigger than camera body. AND no backpacks.

I use a backpack for my gear. I don't need a picture of the park; I can just look at yours

". . . Just outside the right field is picnic bench to have a beer. Much cheaper than the ball park prices."

This confuses me-- This picnic bench is outside the park?

alamomike47 Loc: San Antonio, Texas

The beer garden has open air picnic benches.