Going to NYC in a couple weeks for a photo vacation

[BenjaminJ]

(Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, couldnt find anywhere that specifically lent itself to this kind of question) Anyone have any suggestions for places to take pics other than the obvious places? Ill be spending 5 days there so Ill have plenty of time go around the city.

 

[JMarro]

As far as which thread to post this in, I am not sure, but I would say it isn't this one. I don't know of many less known areas, but may I suggest high line park, I have heard it is a nice new park still being developed. Maybe there is something you would find interesting in there. Also, may I suggest a site, such as ShotHotspot - The photography locations search engine or an app like stuckonearth. I haven't had the chance to use either yet, but I could see it being of help to you.

Good luck with your search.

 

[BenjaminJ]

Thank you JMarro! Hrmm tried stuck on this earth, and that app is horrible.

 

[snowbear119 50]

The Cloisters, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; upper Manhattan at Fort Tyron Park.

 

[limr32 1]

Don't know how much you know about NY - ever been? You know how to navigate the streets? (Avenues are north-south, streets are east-west...that sort of thing.)

If you like street photography, go down to Washington Square Park (5th Avenue, just south of 8th street).

Columbus Circle (southwest entrance to Central Park - 59th and Central Park West) then walk up Central Park West and go to the museums (Natural History is on the west side at around 77th and you can walk across the park to the east side on 79th street, and there will be the Metropolitan Museum of Art). I don't know if you are museum folks - they're certainly worth a visit, but the areas outside of them are worth some photos.

There's always the Brooklyn Bridge, and the promenade in Brooklyn. There's also a ferry that leaves from East 34th street and that will take you into Williamsburg which is pretty much hipster central, but is also good for some street photography, or at least some nice skyline shots from the water, depending on what you're interested in.

It's definitely been photographed to death, but I think Grand Central is worth a pass.

And there's a great little place to eat called Sam's Place on East 39th just east of Lexington.

Have fun!

 

[JoeW28]

Not sure what you mean by the "obvious places" so let me just throw out some options.

1. MOMA. As I recall, you can shoot in most of MOMA. And heck, the cafeteria is a cool place to shoot as well (stacked bottles, people in conversations, some interesting food).

2. The Guggenheim. You won't be allowed to shoot indoors except on the bottom floor and no tripod. Also, tricky getting good outside shots of the entire building b/c of the crowds waiting to get in. Bring a fast wide-angle to get the indoor shot looking up to capture FLW's "G".

3. Battery Park (heck, the whole city but especially Battery Park) is a great location for street photography and diverse people.

4. You'll need a permit for any kind of photography with a tripod with the Empire State building or Top of the Roc.

5. I think the two best times to shoot NYC are either very early (like 7am when the city is just stirring and streets aren't overflowing with pedestrians, you still get a bit of golden light off of windows and metal) or at night (with the light show from cars and buildings).

 

[BenjaminJ]

Thanks for all the info guys! Much appreciated!

 

[The_Traveler]

If you are there on Sat morning then go to Chinatown.
That entire area is very photogenic.
If you are staying in Manhattan, get a multi-use Metro pass and buy a map of the subway/bus.
There is a website timeout.com/newyork and a magazine (whose name escape's me) with everything that is happening in NYC.
Go to Koreatown for a mail (east of 7th ave and 30th)
5 days is enough to scratch the surface

 

[BenjaminJ]

Im staying just over the queensboro bridge from Manhattan, Im was planning on getting the multi use pass, I assume that its still a good idea even though im outside manhattan?

 

[The_Traveler]

yes, the pass is good.

The subway (N,Q,R) takes you into the Upper East Side (not too exciting but rich) then down into mid-town.
You can change into any of the more interesting lines that run NS.
There is a laminated map available for the subway and bus lines (~$7) that is really worth it.
If you have the time, make advanced reservations for the Statue of Liberty (crowded with tourists) and be certain to save time to stop at Ellis Island, which is fascinating because all the waves of immigrants of the early 20th century passed through there. Pretty scenic also. Round trip on same ferry.

Cabs cross town are very expensive because crass town traffic is horrible.
I routinely walk from 2nd Ave to 10th; it is a walk but worth it.
If you are there on Friday or Saturday afternoon, there are lots of art galleries in Chelsea and then you can walk the HiLine, a longitudinal park that is built on top of the old west side El.





from Public transportation in New York City

Fares and tickets

Although you can pay with coins (no dollar bills) on the buses, you’ll need a MetroCard to enter the subway system. You can buy them from booths or vending machines in the stations; from the Official NYC Information Center; from the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn or Grand Central Terminal; and from many hotels. The standard fare across the subway and bus network on a MetroCard is $2.25, though a single-ride ticket purchased at a vending machine costs $2.50. Free transfers between the subway and buses are available only with a MetroCard (for bus-to-bus transfers on cash fares, see below). Up to four people can use a pay-per-ride MetroCard, sold in denominations from $4.50 to $80. If you put $10 or more on the card, you’ll receive a seven per cent bonus. However, if you’re planning to use the subway or buses often, an Unlimited Ride MetroCard is great value. These cards are offered in two denominations, available at station vending machines but not at booths: a seven-day pass ($29) and a 30-day pass ($104). All are good for unlimited rides during those times, but you can’t share a card with your travel companions.

 

[AlanKlein84]

Everywhere you go in NYC is photogenic. And the people are great. Have fun.

 

[The_Traveler]

More as I think about it.

If you like Indian food, there are huge numbers of Indian restaurants in NYC. The largest concentration is on 6th St between 1st and 2nd avenue; this entire block is door to door restaurants and they often entice you in by offering you a plate of popadums.
Many don't have liquor licenses but there is a store at the 2nd Ave end that sells beer and you can bring it in.

If you are further North, there is a big concentration of Indian restaurants on Lexington around 30th (I like Indian food)

If you are close to Chinatown at lunch and you like *Dim Sun, go to Jin Fong Dim Sum NYC | Dim Sum Restaurant | Jing Fong.
This is a real experience. (see picture below) It's a huge room upstairs.
Big tables, you'll be seated at random and the dim sun is delicious and decently priced. (see picture below so you'll recognize it. just a very short walk from Canal St. on east side of Elizabeth St.)

Dim sum /ˈdɪmˈsʌm/ refers to a style of Cantonese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum is also well known for the unique way it is served in some restaurants, whereby fully cooked and ready-to-serve dim sum dishes are carted around the restaurant for customers to choose their orders while seated at their tables.

Pretty much any restaurant in Chinatown is decent and the steamed pork buns (~80¢) (or red bean) are great walk around food.

DO NOT be intimidated by the fact that in tiny food shops everyone is speaking Chinese. If they sell food, they speak enough English to take your order.

(I love NY :heart:.)

Eating regular US food in NYC is a waste of an opportunity.
Halal food carts are great.
Don't eat near train or bus station, my experience is that the food is often crap. (Except for little Korea which is across from Madison Square Garden-Penn Station)
If you go to B&H (it is a 5 minute walk from Penn Station on 9th Ave), go on a Monday AM (or any weekday), Sunday is horrific.
Across the street and around the corner is a really good diner.

St Marks Place (really 8th St) between 1st ans 2nd is an interesting experience at night. Safe and lively.
____________________________________________________________
So you don't look like too much of a tourist, walk with a purpose.
You can get away with any kind of clothes in NYC but wearing plaid shorts and looking around at the tall building marks you as a tourist.
Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
If a vendor talks to you, and you don't want what he is peddling, just ignore him, no answer needed.
Skip tripods, NY is crowded.
Doormen know everything.
If you want a taxi, walk to the curb and raise your hand. Legit cabs are either yellow or sometimes green and must be metered. Car service or gypsy cabs may stop but I would negotiate hard with limos and stay away from gypsy cabs.

Have a great time.

 

[The_Traveler]

And how can I forget Beautiful Memory Desserts Beautiful Memory Dessert - Chinatown - New York, NY | Yelp

Great cooling tastes and lots of non-US tastes.
Very close to the park in Chinatown.

 

[BenjaminJ]

Thanks The Traveler!!!