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Author Topic: USA Advice on areas for Photography  (Read 1812 times)

Doc

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USA Advice on areas for Photography
« on: July 15, 2014, 01:39:28 am »

Hi Guys - Hoping anyone in the US may be able to offer some advice of areas for Photography for myself and family (Mum Dad two "kids" 14 and 21) on our upcoming visit to your wonderful country.

We are coming over at the only time we have available  - Dec. 2014 - Jan. 2015
Unfortunately we only have a short 20 days to look around and a rental car in all the areas, except New York.

The trip includes:

19th - 22nd Dec - New York.
22nd - 26th Dec - Louisville Kentucky - with rental car and some friends from there.
26th Dec -31st - Las Vegas - Rental Car - with an added two days at a Lodge Grand Canyon, South Rim.
31st Dec - 4th Jan 2015 - San Francisco - rental car staying in the wharf area.
4th Jan 2015 - 8th Jan 2015 - LA - rental car.

New York I was looking at the bridges  - a walk over to the Brooklyn Promenade ... World Trade center - the Intrepid - Grand Central Station - Statue of Liberty and Times Square.

Louisville - open to any ideas here.

Vegas  - mainly the lights the shows and the strip.

Grand Canyon - Sunrise - Sunset location ideas would be really helpful.
We will have a car here so getting places is not a real issue.

San Francisco - once again we will have a car - we are looking at Alcatraz and the wife would like to see some Redwoods ....  Big Basin Redwoods was a suggestion from a friend.
Any other ideas would be awesome.

LA - Two days gone - one at Disney and the other at Universal - standard Touristy stuff there.
We will again have a car - so I was looking at Santa Monica ?
Once again any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read.
If you have any suggestions please feel free to email direct, should you not want to post.

doc@52photos.com


Cheers.

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Alan Klein

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2014, 09:34:13 am »

The spots you mention sound great.  Where ever you go there will be plenty of photo opportunities.  Go over your itinerary with your family so they are on-board and in agreement.  They may have some other ideas that fit with their desires that are different than yours.  The trip will be imminently better if it's around everyone's desires rather than just for photography.  It should remain a family vacation, not a photo shoot.

Good luck and have fun.

Eric Myrvaagnes

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2014, 10:20:13 am »

An excellent place for Redwoods just 12 miles north of San Francisco is Muir Woods National Monument. Easy, well-maintained trails and splendid Redwood groves.
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Praki

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2014, 10:47:59 am »

You'll have a few days in the SFO area. Keep going from Muir Woods to Point Reyes. Good opportunities in the fog there. The cowgirl creamery has great cheeses!
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Doc

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2014, 02:39:25 am »

Thanks Alan - the family are on board for photos - they love to see and share what others miss, when you are out at first light and get those magic moments, when most others are asleep.  But you are most correct - I will discuss with them.

Eric / Praki - thanks for the suggestions on the Redwoods.
Are those areas likely to produce bigger specimens of Red Woods ?
Or better Landscape opportunities ?
I have seen the big ones in Yosemite  - but we wont have time to get over there.

Cheers - and thank you again for taking the time.
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Doc

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2014, 02:55:35 am »

.. here is a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge when we were there in 2008
(Not the family on this trip - just we photographers.)
Canon 5D  2sec f2.8
I am hoping to get some more from different angles.
Lovely city for Photography.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2014, 02:57:15 am by Doc »
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Ian99

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2014, 09:45:12 am »

Regarding the GC South Rim: remember to pack warm clothing. The Rim is 7-8000 ft above sea level and will be cold with snow likely at that time of the year. Do not go to the Skywalk, it is a rip off.
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degrub

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2014, 10:21:13 am »

And if you plan to take any trail down into the canyon you may need crampons as the top 500-1000 ft can ice, particularly at Jacobs ladder on the Bright Angel trail which is in the shade. Upper rim temps can easily be -6 to 0 C overnight that time of year.

I would vote for the Basin state park SW of the city followed by a drive either along the coast or Skyline Dr back North to the city. There is the Lick observatory East above San Jose in a scenic area. The drive East then North from there passes through scenic valleys before you cross over to the East Bay area on 580. There are several back roads that take you North to Livermore from which you can head back to the city.

In LA you have the Griffith Observatory up in the Holleywood hills. a cluster of Greene & Greene houses around Pasadena-  the Gamble House is the most famous, the Getty Art Museum and grounds.....

Frank
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NancyP

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2014, 12:15:29 pm »

I second Muir Woods. Very close.

Louisville: Does anyone like horses? Lexington nearby is the epicenter of the Thoroughbred racing industry breeding farms. Unfortunately December is not a fabulous time, racehorses are bred to have January and February births if possible, so cute tiny foals are out of the question. However, the Kentucky bluegrass stays green in the winter.
 
Other KY possibilities:
http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm     Mammoth Cave Natl Park; Cave tours and surface hikes. This would be my #1 destination, if open during the Christmas week.
http://www.redrivergorge.com/     Red River Gorge - oodles of hiking - if you camp, you will need to read up on bear regulations, they have black bears and are trying to keep the bears from learning about human food. Black bears are generally not aggressive, but you shouldn't surprise them by keeping food in your tent, they rip open tent with you inside, and then they see you and panic.
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Doc

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2014, 02:35:12 am »

Regarding the GC South Rim: remember to pack warm clothing. The Rim is 7-8000 ft above sea level and will be cold with snow likely at that time of the year. Do not go to the Skywalk, it is a rip off.

Cheers Ian - we will certainly do so.
Here in town at the moment we have snow on the surrounding mountains ..... nice an chilly.
It would be great to see snow over the Grand Canyon !
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Doc

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2014, 03:01:06 am »

Thanks Frank - that's Awesome .... the wife said she loves the look on those houses  ..... WOW was the call!
Have been to the Getty - didn't even know about the Observatory - do now !

Cheers.
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Doc

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2014, 03:05:06 am »

Nancy - you hit the nail on the head with Horses  - the wife used to do a lot of riding ... and she loves caves .....

If you are ever near Sydney ...

http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/

... or any where near my home state of Western Austrlalia ....

http://www.margaretriver.com/

Cheers.
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NancyP

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Re: USA Advice on areas for Photography
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2014, 03:18:13 pm »

I grew up in Cincinnati Ohio, just across the river from Kentucky. The Lexington KY area horse farms are impressive. 35 years ago I went to see Secretariat in all his male glory, living the good life and earning $100.000.00 stud fees for his owner. The facilities were spotless.
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