NYC POTN Meet: Brooklyn Botanic Gardens - Saturday, August 5th

[Calzinger]

NYC POTN Meet: Bronx Botanical Gardens
Saturday, August 5th, 2006

This meet has switched from the Brookyln Botanic Gardens to the Bronx Botanical Gardens.
All information in this thread has been updated for the new meet.

Okay guys, we haven't really had a POTN meet for six months. It's about time we get some shooting done!

How to get there: http://www.nybg.org/directions_chihuly.php
Admission Information: http://www.nybg.org/visitor_admissions_chihuly.php
Garden Map: http://www.nybg.org/map/

The tickets for the Chihuly exhibit and all other grounds are $20 for adults or $18 for seniors or students with ID.
A general ground admission ticket is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for students.
On-site parking is a ridciulous, but expected, $20.
The gardens are open from 10:00AM to 6:00PM on weekends.

Meeting Time & Place
Let's get this thing started early so we have the whole day to shoot. I think we should meet at the entrance of the place from 10:30AM to 11:00AM which should allow us to shoot the whole garden and possibly give us some leftover time to shoot elsewhere. Let's all exchange our digits so we can call each other up at the meeting time. PM me if you need my cell number. Call me when you get there as I plan to be there earlier.

What should I bring?
Uh, your camera brilliance! A lens might be helpful too. Since we're shooting flowers and plants and things of that sort, you could honestly bring whatever lens you want. UWA, telephoto, macro, whatever! Bring some money for lunch, transportation, and the ticket. Bring some extra money for me too.

If you have any questions at all, please let me know. The date is pretty much set, but this is NOT the only POTN meet of the summer! We still have the Bronx Zoo.

I hope to see you guys there! :D
Chris

[sumozebra]

Hey chris, yeh count me in for this shoot... only 2 sides to this polygon =P where we meeting and ****? let me know. for the record, anyone whose in the manhattan / jersey area who needs a ride, let me know

[MDJAK]

Hey, Chris, thanks for the pm too.

You put these things together in an incredibly professional manner.

May I ask, though, not wanting to put a fly in the ointment, why not do the Bronx Botanical Garden instead of Brooklyn? It's got a special showing there now of that guy who does all the blown glass. I think his name is Chihuly (not sure of the spelling). This way, you wouldn't have to take that long train ride. I'd be more interested in going there also. It is basically walking distance to the Bronx Zoo also.

Just a thought. Let me know what you think.

mark

[td4wg]

I'll be in Massachusetts this weekend for a wedding. Sorry to miss out. I'm in my cousin's wedding but I'll be taking some photos if I get a chance. Have fun guys!

Chris seems so organized with all the information. I'll be looking for the next one to attend.

[Calzinger]

Hey, Chris, thanks for the pm too.

You put these things together in an incredibly professional manner.

May I ask, though, not wanting to put a fly in the ointment, why not do the Bronx Botanical Garden instead of Brooklyn? It's got a special showing there now of that guy who does all the blown glass. I think his name is Chihuly (not sure of the spelling). This way, you wouldn't have to take that long train ride. I'd be more interested in going there also. It is basically walking distance to the Bronx Zoo also.

Just a thought. Let me know what you think.

mark
Yo Mark, I'm up for doing the Bronx Botanical gardens instead if you think it would be a better trip. We were actually going to go there last weekend but the weather was wargh.

After looking at the map for the Bronx gardens, it looks huge. I think the ticket admission for the Chihuly is $18 for students, $20 for adults, and I assume that ticket includes all other attractions as well as the Chihuly site. On-site parking is $20, which is disgusting but expected. They're open from 10AM to 6PM.

Do you think we would spend the whole day there? I'm going with some friends and Andrew, and we're probably going to go into Manhattan for food and do some shooting after we're done. We will probably end up going home towards the late side. If you guys want to join us, ya'll can park at my mom's place for free and we can take the train down.

Again, I'm up for making the switch if you'd like. I think we should leave the Bronx Zoo to another day though, leave that as a whole-day shootout so we aren't rushed.

I'll be in Massachusetts this weekend for a wedding. Sorry to miss out. I'm in my cousin's wedding but I'll be taking some photos if I get a chance. Have fun guys!

Chris seems so organized with all the information. I'll be looking for the next one to attend.
Tony, I expect to see you at the next one! ;) which will probably be one or two weekends later.

[Calzinger]

Hey Mark, try to let me know what you want to do ASAP.

I think I might be switching this meet to the Bronx. My mom said the Bronx on is more renown and should be a better trip.

[MDJAK]

Chris, sorry I didn't get back to you. I'm trying to call the "boss" right now to make sure we have nothing else planned. I should be a go. I'll get back to you in the next few minutes.

I would only be interested in the Bronx though. And I can pick you up at your mother's house so we only have to pay to park one car.

I've been needing to exercise my macro for a long time now.

mark

[MDJAK]

In fact, I'll be downtown tonight. Might have to pick up some extension tubes.:lol: :)

[Calzinger]

Yeah you know what? Let's do the Bronx this weekend. :D
Alex is the only one that's definitely coming so far so I'll let him know.
Thanks for the offer for a ride, but we live in Rockland and it's quite out of the way. I'm also bringing some friends.

By the way, you can get brand new Kenko Extension tubes off of eBay for less than $110 versus the $170 from B&H.

Just let me know when you can. ;)

[MDJAK]

Boss called. I'm in. What time do you want to meet?

mark

[Calzinger]

The gardens open at 10:00AM. Maybe we should meet there from 10:30AM to 11:00AM? Do you think it will be a whole day event?

[MDJAK]

Actually, I'd rather get there closer to opening.

Do I think it will be all day? I haven't been there in years, but I was across the street this past weekend when I shot a wedding (thanks for not looking and commenting on my wedding shots, btw;) )

and I saw a huge greenhouse. I think it depends on the temperature. If it's a scorcher, we may have to make it half day and go get something to eat in an air conditioned pizza place.:)

mark

[Calzinger]

I was planning to be there at 10:00AM anyway. ;) Let's make the meeting time 10:00AM to 10:30AM then.

I've never been there so I don't know how big the place is. After looking at the map though, it looks huge! I'm praying that the weather holds up for this weekend. So far, it looks to be clear and definitely cooler than this ridiculousness of a week. There's some wet weather predicted for Thursday and Friday, but these predictions always managed to get pushed back so let's hope for the best.

Do you know any places to eat in the area? I don't know if you're up for it, but we could always take the train into Manhattan and get some food after we're done.

By the way, where as those wedding shots!?

[MDJAK]

right here.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=197373

mark

[NIftyBobby]

i'm in too. for sure.

As for places to eat, that's all a matter of how far you want to walk and which train you plan on taking back down to the city. Because if you take the 2 back into the city, there are loads of places to eat at under and around the pelham station. (take your pick of any artery clogging place)

If you plan on driving there, you're better off finding a free spot to park at and then walking over, about a 4/5 block walk depending on how close the parking spot is. you can park really far away and just take the bus over, it's still pretty cheap.

hope the weather won't be as hot as today and tommorows or i'll bail. not worth getting toasted over some flowers :P

[Calzinger]

If you guys don't want to pay for parking in Manhattan, we can park at my mom's place. She works at the Stella Dora bakery around Van Courtland Park, 238th street. We can park there for free and take the 1 train down.

I'm going with some other people so we might go into the city and stick around into the evening after we're done at the gardens. If you guys are up for it, we can go down for some food and shoot around.

The weekend should be cooler Bobby, no worries. :D Let's just hope it doesn't rain.

[NIftyBobby]

better bring them ziplock bags and a garbage bag

[sumozebra]

Hey mark, can you bring a close distance, say 28 - 105mm macro lens that i can borrow? my stupid macro lens only works at 250-300mm so pretty annoying when it comes to shooting flowers and stuff. Would be great if you could =) thanks. see u guys on saturday

[Calzinger]

Hey Alex, you got my message, right? And doesn't the Sigma 70-300 get 1:2? I'm using my 70-200 and it gets 1:8. :D

And Bobby, I still need your cell digits.

[sumozebra]

yeh the sigma gets to around 1:2 but problem is telephoto lens + macro + handheld = poorer results because of my crappy unsteady hands chris =P and yeh i got your msg, to the bronx we go! just gotta make sure i can find parking in a safe spot, lol

btw chris, what photo is that in your avatar?? it looks like a photo from a movie or something

[MDJAK]

Fret, not, my friend. I'll have a gaggle of lenses with me, all of which will be available for rental.

You'll have to ask Chris how much I charge, as he and his cousin rented from me during the birds of prey day.:lol:

mark

[Calzinger]

Fret, not, my friend. I'll have a gaggle of lenses with me, all of which will be available for rental.

You'll have to ask Chris how much I charge, as he and his cousin rented from me during the birds of prey day.:lol:

mark
The price is resisting the temptation to run away with all of his Ls.
Mark, I expect to see the 1200 f/1.0L with you on Saturday.

btw chris, what photo is that in your avatar?? it looks like a photo from a movie or something
That's me brilliance! :D

[MDJAK]

Dear Brilliance,

For such a smart boy, you're not very observant. The 1200 has been removed from my gear list for quite some time now.

I traded it to Ronald Jr. for his 63rd copy of the 24-70.:lol: :lol:

mark

[Snafu]

Thanks for the heads up Chris. Unfortunately I won't be able to make this outing. Hopefully the next one.

[Calzinger]

Dear Mark,

...WHAT!?!?!? How could you possibly give up the 1200!!! Booo! You disappoint me, you really do... Well, at least I know I can go to Ron if I ever need a used 24-70L.

No worries Andy. But if you come up with any ideas, let me konw.

[MDJAK]

Dear Chris,

I'm so sorry. I would never want to disappoint you, but Ron was insistent. He even threw in a broken AE1 Program to sweeten the deal. I couldn't refuse.

Besides, the 1200 just wasn't long enough for me. Even with a 4x converter, it left something to be desired.

WHY didn't you call me and remind me to get the kenko tubes when I was in B&H?

I'm going downtown tonight, but they're closed:cry:

[Calzinger]

I'll bet that sucker wasn't fast enough either. Oh well, I'm sure something better will come out soon enough.

B&H might be closed, but you're still going to get extension tubes for Saturday. http://www.adorama.com/KNAETSDEOS.html?searchinfo=kenko%20extension&item_no=4

[NIftyBobby]

if you order online today, you'll have it by tommorow ^^ (most of the time)

Sometimes I wish there was a big, respectable with competitive prices camera store not run by jewish folks so it's open on saturdays.

[MDJAK]

Won't have it by tomorrow if they're closed today. And Adorama is closed today.

And your wish for camera stores open on Saturday: Calumet on 18th street in Manhattan is competitive, well stocked, and open on Saturday.

mark

[Calzinger]

And Adorama is closed today.
Bah, Adorama is Jewish too?

[NIftyBobby]

sweet, thanks for the info mark. I had no clue calumet was open on saturadays as well. Now i have a place to go when in need of an itch for gear.

yea chris, adorama is.

[MDJAK]

Bah, Adorama is Jewish too?

No, Adorama is a store and stores do not have religion, last time I checked.

Yes, the owners, and employees for the most part, are Jewish.

And so am I.

[MDJAK]

I got my ticket(s) through Ticketmaster for the Chihuly show Saturday, along with valet parking.

According to your link, parking on site is very scarce. They recommend reserving it through ticketmaster, which is why I did so.

See you there.

[Calzinger]

Take it easy Mark, you know what I meant. ;)
I'm going to order my tickets and parking online later tonight. But $3 for a convenience charge? Know any other places to park nearby?

[MDJAK]

Take it easy Mark, you know what I meant. ;)
I'm going to order my tickets and parking online later tonight. But $3 for a convenience charge? Know any other places to park nearby?

I live my life as the Eagles song says: Take it Easy. I don't know any other way.

Your link shows nearby parking. Unfortunately, it's not the best neighborhood and is somewhat isolated. I'd rather not take a chance, and so therefore I'm parking right on the grounds.

[sumozebra]

we're all at the mercy of jewish employees... owe be to us =) see u all on saturday
mark, what's your phone numebr again?

[NIftyBobby]

a bit off topic, but the following saturday there's a import car show at shea stadium.
Link (http://www.hotimportnights.com/events/event.asp?id=178)

semi-cheap way to get some models to pose for you lol

[Calzinger]

Okay squarebags, tomorrow is the day!

I'm aiming get there at the opening, which is 10:00AM. Mark, I have your cell. Alex, I have yours as well. Bobby, I don't have yours. I will be calling you guys when I get there.

Be sure to have a big breakfast! See ya'll tomorrow.

[MDJAK]

You said you were treating us to breakfast. Darn.

See ya soon.

mark

[NIftyBobby]

it was a blast guys. Loved it! Hope to do this again at another venue. Shea Stadium for the import models next week? ;)

[MDJAK]

It definitely was an awesome time. There was 8 of us and we shot the entire day, from 10 to closing time, 6 p.m.

They had to just about throw us out.
1
http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64664507.6mDXc4PE.botanical1.tif

2
http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64664508.DTH0jH7z.botanical2.tif

3 http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64664509.n246uZb8.botanical3.tif

4
http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64664510.IA0LkELE.botanical4.tif

5

http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64664511.YjSltL9r.botanical5.tif

6
http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64664512.KiU6RnR2.botanical6.tif



thanks again, everyone.
mark

[Palladium]

Nice Photos. I guess I should have checked more carefully - I thought this was still a Brooklyn outting - oh well. I glad it turned out to ge a good time.

I know I've been planning on going.

[sumozebra]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/sumozebra/Website/Nature/Nature2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/sumozebra/Website/Nature/Nature3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/sumozebra/Website/Nature/Nature4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/sumozebra/Website/Nature/Nature8.jpg


more photos from that day on my website under objects>nature section! will post up the stupid shots after i've gone through them =) thanks for setting up the meet Chris

[Calzinger]

Nice shots there Mark. I had such a great time too. I'll have my shots up soon enough.
John, no excuses, you should've been there! ;)
Anyone up for doing some shooting next week and maybe the Bronx Zoo in two weeks?

*
Nice shots Alex! I really wish I had a macro. Oh well, 1:7.7 can work...sometimes...never...

**
I couldn't resist. Here's one shot from the day. I'll finish processing 'em tomorrow and post 'em all in the forums.

http://calzinger.net/uploads/misc/IMG_2090.jpg

[MDJAK]

Alex and Chris, I think we have a mutual admiration society going.

Chris, IM a mod and ask them to update your title of this post to reflect pictures have been posted. They'll be glad to.

Chris, here's a shot of I think a similar flower (leaf?)



http://i.pbase.com/o4/12/533712/1/64689035.NXDvwOAq.botanical7.tif

[MDJAK]

Alex, that last shot is a great macro shot. Love it.

Look forward to having you up to teach me a thing or two on PS.

Just remember, you got to go slow for me.

mark

[SuzyView]

Beautiful shots, everyone. I lived in Ebetts Field

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=143887

a short walk to the gardens and spent many Sunday afternoons with my family walking around. My mother loved flowers and in a place where people are all over the place, this is a wonderful, peaceful place to remember, there is natural beauty in the world. Thanks for planning the trip and taking such great pictures.

[sumozebra]

Mark / Chris, Note my signature... and my new update =P lol!!

[Calzinger]

Maybe I'll throw my kit lens in a pond.

[sumozebra]

Maybe I'll throw my kit lens in a pond.

tempting isn't it? =) thing is, that tamron lens is actually on par with the L lens of that zoom length. yet costs a fraction of the price. fine fine it's not white.. pffth =P but yeh was great. still testing it out, gotta make sure it's the top quality one, since aparently different batches had different quality, some gets insanely awsome ones that's better than the L lens, yet some are a bit softer

[Calzinger]

tempting isn't it? =) thing is, that tamron lens is actually on par with the L lens of that zoom length. yet costs a fraction of the price. fine fine it's not white.. pffth =P but yeh was great. still testing it out, gotta make sure it's the top quality one, since aparently different batches had different quality, some gets insanely awsome ones that's better than the L lens, yet some are a bit softer
I want to see that beast for the Bronx Zoo shoutout in two weeks. ;)

[MDJAK]

Chris, don't know what date you're planning for the Bronx Zoo. I definitely want to go. Just wanted to note I'll be away in Vegas on the 21st through the 26th.

Where's the rest of your pictures?

mark

[Servo'd]

Hey guys, just registered earlier today, and I recently finished processing. I have about 10 shots (out of 279) that I think are okay (what is that, a measly 4% yield? - sorry for the math Mark ;) )

So anyway I hope some of you get the chance to critique Also I apologize if I post the images obnoxiously, I just tried whatever I thought might work, so feel free to yell at me.
http://i.pbase.com/o4/85/690485/1/64736535.NtPYz6nA.IMG_0845web.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/85/690485/1/64737106.2jLfgVTC.IMG_0426.JPG

http://i.pbase.com/o4/85/690485/1/64736660.mvziIJ0l.IMG_0838.JPG

see the six or so others I like at my pbase gallery (password: alex)
http://www.pbase.com/asherba2/inbox

[Calzinger]

Chris, don't know what date you're planning for the Bronx Zoo. I definitely want to go. Just wanted to note I'll be away in Vegas on the 21st through the 26th.

Where's the rest of your pictures?

mark
Well I'm planning this Bronx Zoo meet for two weeks from the last meet which is Saturday, August 19th. That still leaves next weekend, Saturday, August 12th, where Andrew and I still need something to shoot. Let me know what you want to do.

I PM'ed you the links to the threads I started with all of my shots, just over 30 shots. Or do you want more!? ;) Put all of your shots in those threads if you'd like; they're separated into People and Nature.

Sumo, here's the shot you requested. ;) Do you have the shots of me basically lying down on the grass taking a picture?
http://calzinger.net/_sitecontent/_cache/_photos/ny_botanical_gardens/250.375.IMG_2188.jpg (http://calzinger.net/_sitecontent/_cache/_photos/ny_botanical_gardens/576.864.IMG_2188.jpg)

Didn't catch this gal, eh Mark? :D
http://calzinger.net/_sitecontent/_cache/_photos/ny_botanical_gardens/250.375.IMG_2332_bloom.jpg (http://calzinger.net/_sitecontent/_cache/_photos/ny_botanical_gardens/576.864.IMG_2332_bloom.jpg)

[MDJAK]

Very nice shots.

Silly question, but any reason we can't do the zoo next weekend?

For some strange reason, we here in new york don't attract that large a following, so it's not like we have to give a lot of notice. Let me know.

mark

[NIftyBobby]

Beautiful shots, everyone. I lived in Ebetts Field

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=143887

a short walk to the gardens and spent many Sunday afternoons with my family walking around. My mother loved flowers and in a place where people are all over the place, this is a wonderful, peaceful place to remember, there is natural beauty in the world. Thanks for planning the trip and taking such great pictures.

your mom's a tough cookie for having walked from brooklyn to the bronx for the flowers! i'll have my pictures up soon enough in the other thread chris started. Just have one so far.

http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/6365/mg0029ko8.th.jpg (http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/6365/mg0029ko8.jpg)

yea, yea. rule of 1/3's can bite me. :)

[Calzinger]

Very nice shots.

Silly question, but any reason we can't do the zoo next weekend?

For some strange reason, we here in new york don't attract that large a following, so it's not like we have to give a lot of notice. Let me know.

mark
You know Mark, I wouldn't mind doing the zoo this weekend either, but my friend Chris can't do anything this Saturday because he has a class. Andrew should be coming this weekend so I'd like to get some shooting done. I'd like to do some street shooting or maybe even take up your offer on trucking through those 4000 acres in your area.

Let me know when if you're free this weekend and the next and I'm sure we can arrange something.

i'll have my pictures up soon enough in the other thread chris started. Just have one so far.

http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/6365/mg0029ko8.th.jpg (http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/6365/mg0029ko8.jpg)

yea, yea. rule of 1/3's can bite me. :)
The rule of thirds can bite ya. Lookin' forward to 'em. ;)

[sumozebra]

Chris / Mark : i can't make it this weekend, not saturday anyway since i got my beach shoot. and also i dunno how my jackarse boss is, god forbid he puts me on a sunday shift again....

[Calzinger]

I was thinking street shooting this Sunday and then the zoo the following week if ya'll are available and up for it.

[P(-)r0z3n Fyr3]

street shooting < bullet in the brain... but its a nice op anyway. Count me in. I think i'll restrict myself to a 50 this time and see what happens.

[Calzinger]

street shooting < bullet in the brain... but its a nice op anyway. Count me in. I think i'll restrict myself to a 50 this time and see what happens.
Turns out the other Chris is available this Saturday so we could really do whatever. I'd still like to throw some variety in there, though he doesn't like street shooting, that's not my problem.

[P(-)r0z3n Fyr3]

I'll bring my new sony alpha

[Calzinger]

Here's something interesting:

http://calzinger.net/_sitecontent/_cache/_photos/ny_botanical_gardens/576.864.IMG_2189.jpg

untouched 100% crop
http://calzinger.net/_sitecontent/_cache/_photos/ny_botanical_gardens/864.576.IMG_2189_100crop.jpg

[MDJAK]

You are really good at that computer animation stuff.;)

[Calzinger]

Man, I really wish I could make a flower in the computer!

[sumozebra]

DAMN that's not to shabby with your 70-200 F2.8L!