This March I'm going to be in Seattle at a conference for a long weekend, and I'll be bringing my camera along with me. I'm going to have a limited time to take photos since the main purpose of the trip is the conference. With that in mind, I'd like to be as prepared as possible for getting some good shots in when I have the time. I wanted to know if any of you have tips on what/when/where to shoot photos. Where are some interesting places to shoot? What times of day (besides magic hours of course) do you think work best for these locations? Are the special conditions I should consider for taking photos in Seattle (i.e. how do you shoot in the rain)?
I am interested in capturing some of the details and beauty of the city. I know the Space Needle and the Public Market are both popular photo spots, but I'd like to get some non-tourist shots as well. I'll be staying downtown and I won't have a car most likely, so any suggestions accessible within walking distance or by public transportation would be great.
I spent some time in Seattle with a film camera and loved the opportunities for photography there. Besides the iconic sites you mentioned, the opportunity exists for a perfect shot of Mt. Rainier poking out from between the city streets. But you need a clear day for that. Also, there are amazing opportunities for street candids everywhere. Just grab your camera and start walking. Have fun!
@ksyvarth there is the Olympic park., Elliott bay, Alki beach....tons of downtown architecture, pioneer square, century link and safeco field...a ride on light rail gives you some other opportunities!, I will continue to think about it for you!:)
If you're lucky to be here on a clear day and want to get a shot of Rainier, I would pick a time after 3pm. The sun reaches an angle that lights up the mountain better.
If you're in Lower Queen Anne (The neighborhood that the Seattle Center and the Space Needle are in) consider checking out some of the alleys just west of Queen Anne Avenue between Mercer and Thomas Street. They're a lot safer than they seem. A lot of the buildings have elaborate graffiti designs, and if you face east towards the Space Needle, it makes an interesting and very Seattle scene.
Pike Place Market is a very cliche spot, and it's for a reason. The Market itself has a lot of interesting things to take pictures of, but also, the view behind it is great. If you go to the little park just north of the Market (here you might want to keep a close eye on your belongings, and you may get a whiff or two of the newly legal green substance) the view is fantastic. Especially at sunset. You can also easily go down to the water front from the Market. There is a lot of construction going on down there, but north of that has a lot of beautiful scenes. Feel free to climb any set of stairs you find it get somewhere higher to get a better view of the water.
If you have a bit of extra time, do a search for many of our parks. My favorite is Discovery park.
@jyokota I don't know if visiting the bakery is a good idea. I do industrial wholesale. The pier I work on has a security gate, and people that work in the warehouse I work in can be terrifying if you don't know them well...maybe even if you do know them haha. I can't remember all the restaurants and stores that carry our stuff. My cakes end up in so many random places. It's funny when I order dessert somewhere random and end up with a piece of cake I made.
Oh yeah, if you're coming here Superbowl weekend, things might get a little crazy. If you want to watch the game, every bar and restaurant with a TV will be showing it. If you don't want to watch the game, you'll have the treat of having less crowds during the game. After the game? Stay far far away from Westlake Center four blocks east of the Market unless you have a plan on getting home solely by foot. (if the Hawks lose, stay very far from there)
Thanks for alerting me to this @byrdlip Looks like lots of people have mentioned a lot of the highlights.
Pike Place, yup, go to the gum wall there.
Seattle Center/Space Needle, yup, one of my favorite shots there is the monorail coming out of the EMP.
Queen Anne, yup, up the hill to the Kerry Viewpoint. It is a hike, but worth it, one of the best spots for the skyline/Rainier picture.
Boat to Bainbridge Island or Alki. Both are great ways to get views of the city from the water. Bainbridge is a nice community to wander around. At Alki you get to see our beach, bikers, runners and scuba divers.
The light rail can get you to several neighborhoods. A day ticket is the same price as a round trip. Definitely hit Pioneer Square and the International District (China Town).
Lots to see for sure. I would be willing to meet up too.
You have some great advice here. I would add the houseboats on Lake Union (including the one in the movie, "Sleepless in Seattle") and the Hammering Man statue outside the Seattle Art Museum. Also there are beautiful homes on Queen Anne hill and Capital Hill, and the Seattle Pacific University campus in the Queen Anne area has beautiful architecture and landscape. Oh, and Freemont is a really interesting community with some great public art and fun shops.
I believe that there's a spinurn event every Wednesday night at Gas Works park, but I think photographers must have permission to shoot (fire spinners, etc.); also Discovery Park has some wonderful views and a light house, along with great rocks and tide pools.
Kerry Park for great skyline shots (especially on a clear day at sunset), Gas Works Park, and anywhere around Seattle Center, including Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the EMP. I always like to look for interesting perspectives on photographing the Space Needle there. If you do go to Pike Place Market, make sure to hit the gum wall. Have fun...it's an amazing city to photograph :)
Thank you everyone for your excellent suggestions! I am so excited to get some photos in Seattle now. With all of these great spots I wish I could spend more than a long weekend in Seattle!
@soboy5 hopefully I'll have some clear weather, but if not, that's okay too. I lived in Portland, OR for years and I know that rain especially in the fall through spring is to be expected.
@allie912 A boat ride sounds great! Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely be looking into this!
@catdudz I love libraries to begin with, but I would have never thought to go into the public library for photos. It sounds like an interesting opportunity.
@stephomy Thanks for the detailed information. I will definitely check out the areas around the Space Needle that you suggest. I really enjoy photography of graffiti and this sounds like a good chance to get some of my own shots. Even if I can't visit your bakery, could you direct me to a place where I could try your cakes?
@mcrt I'd love to meet up. I'll be in Seattle at the end of March. I'm not sure what my schedule is like now because the main purpose of the trip is for this conference, but it would be great to meet up with a fellow 365-er.
@dmcoile I love University campuses for photography. Thanks for the suggestion!
Again, thanks everyone for the great info. This is such a wonderful community!
@seahawker Thanks for the tip on the spinurn. I'll have to check it out. I don't see how they can require permission for photographers since it is in a public park.
@ksyvarth I look forward to meeting up. I'll get you my contact info.
@mcrt I checked with a friend that shoots there somewhat frequently and he suggested getting there early and introducing yourself, and then sharing your photos with the performers. If you want to check it out, he also said to give him a heads up and he can alert them since sometimes they limit the photographers if they are doing a special shoot... I can send you his info if you are interested...
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If you're in Lower Queen Anne (The neighborhood that the Seattle Center and the Space Needle are in) consider checking out some of the alleys just west of Queen Anne Avenue between Mercer and Thomas Street. They're a lot safer than they seem. A lot of the buildings have elaborate graffiti designs, and if you face east towards the Space Needle, it makes an interesting and very Seattle scene.
Pike Place Market is a very cliche spot, and it's for a reason. The Market itself has a lot of interesting things to take pictures of, but also, the view behind it is great. If you go to the little park just north of the Market (here you might want to keep a close eye on your belongings, and you may get a whiff or two of the newly legal green substance) the view is fantastic. Especially at sunset. You can also easily go down to the water front from the Market. There is a lot of construction going on down there, but north of that has a lot of beautiful scenes. Feel free to climb any set of stairs you find it get somewhere higher to get a better view of the water.
If you have a bit of extra time, do a search for many of our parks. My favorite is Discovery park.
@jyokota I don't know if visiting the bakery is a good idea. I do industrial wholesale. The pier I work on has a security gate, and people that work in the warehouse I work in can be terrifying if you don't know them well...maybe even if you do know them haha. I can't remember all the restaurants and stores that carry our stuff. My cakes end up in so many random places. It's funny when I order dessert somewhere random and end up with a piece of cake I made.
Oh yeah, if you're coming here Superbowl weekend, things might get a little crazy. If you want to watch the game, every bar and restaurant with a TV will be showing it. If you don't want to watch the game, you'll have the treat of having less crowds during the game. After the game? Stay far far away from Westlake Center four blocks east of the Market unless you have a plan on getting home solely by foot. (if the Hawks lose, stay very far from there)
Pike Place, yup, go to the gum wall there.
Seattle Center/Space Needle, yup, one of my favorite shots there is the monorail coming out of the EMP.
Queen Anne, yup, up the hill to the Kerry Viewpoint. It is a hike, but worth it, one of the best spots for the skyline/Rainier picture.
Boat to Bainbridge Island or Alki. Both are great ways to get views of the city from the water. Bainbridge is a nice community to wander around. At Alki you get to see our beach, bikers, runners and scuba divers.
The light rail can get you to several neighborhoods. A day ticket is the same price as a round trip. Definitely hit Pioneer Square and the International District (China Town).
Lots to see for sure. I would be willing to meet up too.
@soboy5 hopefully I'll have some clear weather, but if not, that's okay too. I lived in Portland, OR for years and I know that rain especially in the fall through spring is to be expected.
@allie912 A boat ride sounds great! Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely be looking into this!
@catdudz I love libraries to begin with, but I would have never thought to go into the public library for photos. It sounds like an interesting opportunity.
@stephomy Thanks for the detailed information. I will definitely check out the areas around the Space Needle that you suggest. I really enjoy photography of graffiti and this sounds like a good chance to get some of my own shots. Even if I can't visit your bakery, could you direct me to a place where I could try your cakes?
@mcrt I'd love to meet up. I'll be in Seattle at the end of March. I'm not sure what my schedule is like now because the main purpose of the trip is for this conference, but it would be great to meet up with a fellow 365-er.
@dmcoile I love University campuses for photography. Thanks for the suggestion!
Again, thanks everyone for the great info. This is such a wonderful community!
@ksyvarth I look forward to meeting up. I'll get you my contact info.