I'm planning a 15-day tour of Chicago - NYC - Boston (spending an average of 5 days in each city) for the second half of September.and would very much appreciate it if some 365ers living in those places could give me some tips / suggestions as to where to go for getting interesting shots.
I know of course the wonderful photos by Michael Elliot @michaelelliott and would be very grateful if he could offer some help since he knows so many incredible locations in that city.
Any suggestions from Chicagoans and Bostonians would be greatly appreciated so that I can start making an itinerary of the places to go to.
For New York, if you're going to be there for 5-days, I would plan on spending a day in Central Park and the nearby Theater District (especially if you enjoy street photography.) Also plan on a day at the other end of Manhattan at Battery Park and the South Street Seaport. Note that, if you don't want to deal with long lines to get to the Statue of Liberty, you can take the Staten Island Ferry (for free) and get fantastic close-up views of the statue as you travel to and from Manhattan. I would also plan on spending a day photographing scenes in the neighborhoods - Little Italy, Chinatown, the Village, etc.
there are lots of places in Chicago too. Millenium Park (and the famous, obligatory bean sculpture), the old water tower because of the contrast of how old it is compared to the newer architecture surrounding it. I'd recommend one of those architecture tours where you go by boat on the river and you also get the history with the great views. Navy Pier is a tourist trap, but presents great photo ops. The library downtown is really cool. There are people on here currently in Chicago that can probably tell you the best spots for getting the gorgeous Chicago skyline. If you are into street photography, there are plenty of places to go too... the magnificent mile will get you mostly upscale people, the college age crowd in the Rush St. bar district, colorful and friendly people in Boys Town, there is a Little Italy and Chinatown. I find the people waiting on the els (elevated trains) to be interesting. You'll probably still find a lot of active people along lakeshore drive on the beaches, unless it cools off a lot by then.
@jsw0109 Thank you Jeff! I'll certainly note down the places you mentioned. and make a list.
I'm glad I can get first-hand information and tips from 365ers living there. That'll be of great help.
Thanks! :))
Keep in mind there is way more to NYC than just Manhattan ! In Queens, Flushing Meadow park with all the old World's Fair buildings. In the Bronx, Yankee Stadium, the Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo. In Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, the Promenade, and The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
@kilbane Thanks, Philomena (BTW what a lovely name. We have that in Italian but It's spelt Filomena).
The places you list sound very interesting, indeed. I'm already regretting my trip will only last 15 days. I'd need double length just for NYC !!!
Mara if you have an email address I can lay out some of the best places for photos in NYC. Because its so big you must plan logistically or you'll kill yourself in traveling around and getting crushed in the commotion. My email is michaelelliott005@gmail.com.
People throw out suggestions like Central Park and neighborhoods which is great but all those places are huge and you'd waste time wandering. So even within places must have a plan. I should write a book. Haha.
@michaelelliott Thank you, Michael. I wrote you an email and will be waiting to hear your suggestions. Really appreciate your help!!!
You're right: you should write a photographer's guide to NYC. That's really a great idea....why don't you think of it? Honestly, it would be a big success, at least among us 365ers...and that's not a small community.
:))
There are a ton of great suggestions that should help. If you need further information, or were looking for something specific, just let me know and I'd be glad to help.
@jsw0109 @mej2011 @taffy
Thank you so much, guys! You're being so kind and helpful. I'm compiling a list of 'must see' and I already know I'll miss out something....
No suggestions about Boston so far...Any ideas there?
hmmm . . . who else is jealous that Mara got a private list from @michaelelliott ? Of course, he also gave me tips of where to go when I went to NYC in February, but I quickly learned that standing in the places he recommended did not mean I could produce the photos that Michael produces. But I do want to try again on another trip . . . .
Mara, please tell me you are going to be in Chicago AFTER September 28 when I'm back there! @mara19500
@jyokota - haha Thx very much. This time instead of list, I'm writing individual half day photo walk abouts each coordinated logistically to cover several excellent locations in and around the city efficiently complete with transportstion, dining and drinking tips hehe. When I'm done I may write a guide book ;)
I took some great pictures from Top of the Rock, Staten Island Ferry, Gray Line double deck tour bus, boat trip around Long Island, Twin Tower site, China Town, Little Italy, SOHO in general, Times Square, Central Park, etc.. You will be hard pressed to NOT find photo opportunities in NYC.
@jyokota Hi Junko! yes, I do feel privileged to receive Michael's @michaelelliott attention and precious tips. I suggested that he should seriously think of writing a New York guide book for photographers, I'm certain it would be successful.and hope he will defintely do it soon.
As for my stay in Chicago, I'll be there from Sept. 15 to 20. Is there ANY chance you are there those days? I'd be delighted to meet you!!! Please, try and make it!
@chief Thank you very much, James. I'm adding these places and suggestions to my list and, as you rightly say, I realise there is SOOOO much to photograph in this city! Hope I can cope!!!
@michaelelliott What a great idea -- a photo guide to NYC-- and you are just the one do it. Keep us posted on your new project! Also are you still thinking of a fall photoshoot in NYC?
@mara19500 -- I'm so sad to say that I will NOT be in Chicago those days. I am in Munich for almost the entire month of September. So sorry to miss you!!
@taffy Hi, Taffy!
Thanks for offering a chance to meet up in Chicago. I'll note down the date and time you suggested. It'd be great if we can make it.
I'll be staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with a girlriend. If you give me your ermail address, we can stay in touch.
mine is maradani2004@gmail.com
@mara19500 - execellent! I'm glad. You've given me motivation to write this stuff down. Of course needs a lot of refining but at least its a start ;) I will have a few more over next few days.
@michaelelliott@jyokota
We have a conference (Junko for sure, I'm thinking about it) the afternoon of the 11th in PA and the route is via NYC. Junko will be in touch tomorrow -- the decision is whether to go in early (I may not be able to get in til evening on the 10th which is the hangup) or schedule a different date that would just be for fun. Junko's time zone right now is middle of the night...so we'll know more tomorrow EST. Is the 11th a.m. even a possibility for you?
@michaelelliott -- it looks like we're really doing this! @taffy and I are about to buy our tickets to fly to NYC on Thursday afternoon. We'll land in LGA late afternoon. We'll need to leave early afternoon of Friday to take the bus to PA. (I know, I know . . . it's much closer to fly into an airport in PA but you are available, so why not go through NYC, right?)
@jyokota@taffy - are you talking this Thurs next week or Oct 10? If Oct 10 I can meet that afternoon and we can take some photos into early evening. Man but how to pick just a few spots ????
@michaelelliott Hi Michael -- we're set for October 10th. We get into LGA around 5:25 so if you're up for an evening photo shoot, we'd love it. Guessing with traffic, etc. though, it isn't likely to be early evening. I think we have Friday morning through early afternoon -- Junko has that info. Whatever time you have available and are up for, we're in! Working out hotels now...here's an email that you can use off-site: taffy@uic.edu if you'd prefer. I'll send you Junko's -- vaguely remember your gmail is your full name, but am not positive. @jyokota
@michaelelliott -- @Taffy and I are so excited about this photowalk opportunity with you! My email is junko.yokota@mac.com and Taffy is right on our available hours. Thank you!!
@jyokota@taffy - me too will be fun especially at night when city comes alive and the following morning is good. My email is michaelelliott005@gmail.com
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Thank you! :))
I'm glad I can get first-hand information and tips from 365ers living there. That'll be of great help.
Thanks! :))
Thanks! :))
The places you list sound very interesting, indeed. I'm already regretting my trip will only last 15 days. I'd need double length just for NYC !!!
Colorful people in Boystown, on that made me laugh so much. :)
Buckingham Fountain in Chicago is another "must".
You're right: you should write a photographer's guide to NYC. That's really a great idea....why don't you think of it? Honestly, it would be a big success, at least among us 365ers...and that's not a small community.
:))
You're welcome. Have a fun and safe trip!
There is so much to photograph there, you're bound to miss something. And I am aware of the people of Boystown, it just made me giggle.
http://365project.org/discuss/general/18937/chicago-photo-ops
There are a ton of great suggestions that should help. If you need further information, or were looking for something specific, just let me know and I'd be glad to help.
@mej2011
@taffy
Thank you so much, guys! You're being so kind and helpful. I'm compiling a list of 'must see' and I already know I'll miss out something....
No suggestions about Boston so far...Any ideas there?
Mara, please tell me you are going to be in Chicago AFTER September 28 when I'm back there! @mara19500
As for my stay in Chicago, I'll be there from Sept. 15 to 20. Is there ANY chance you are there those days? I'd be delighted to meet you!!! Please, try and make it!
:))
:))
Pity!!!
I might be free the 19th after 5:00. Too bad Junko isn't in town, but let me know if you'd like to meet up downtown.
Thanks for offering a chance to meet up in Chicago. I'll note down the date and time you suggested. It'd be great if we can make it.
I'll be staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with a girlriend. If you give me your ermail address, we can stay in touch.
mine is maradani2004@gmail.com
Hi, Michael!
I duly reveived and saved Part 3 of your PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDE TO NYC. Thanksssssss!
PS I'm hooked!
But we will be back another time if that's better for you . . .
We have a conference (Junko for sure, I'm thinking about it) the afternoon of the 11th in PA and the route is via NYC. Junko will be in touch tomorrow -- the decision is whether to go in early (I may not be able to get in til evening on the 10th which is the hangup) or schedule a different date that would just be for fun. Junko's time zone right now is middle of the night...so we'll know more tomorrow EST. Is the 11th a.m. even a possibility for you?