Traveling to New York safety tips...

rick_reno wrote in post #15389943
Harlem is fine, I used to live at the corner of 113th and Riverside and would often go up above 125th St, there were a couple of good places to eat up there. I never worried wandering around Manhattan, some area of the Bronx and Brooklyn were a little scary but were easily avoided.

Thanks Rick, I really would like to take pictures of Harlem I've seen so many good movies about the ghetto, The Apollo theatre and just want to walk and feel the groove.

What about the ''bad'' parts of the Bronx and Brooklyn, so if I pass by i'll stump a little more on the gas pedal.

Also there is a scene in a lot of movies where we see people play chess! I would like to go there, just for the scenery.

thanks again

We walked around NYC at all hours with camera gear and never once felt any danger. There are so many police around at night you would have to be unlucky or be in a very bad area, which you would know you were going into anyway. Everybody recommends staying away form the touristy stuff, but that is where the most people are so you are safer there. The only place my wife felt in danger was when we went into the B&H superstore on 9th ave, she reckons she could feel her credit card trembling Just enjoy it because it is an amazing place.

I have only been to New York twice....I got mugged both times. Stay away from there.

I'd stay away from Crown Heights in Brooklyn and the South Bronx, both are ok during the day but I'd be cautious there at night. You're a tourist, you shouldn't have any reason to go to those neighborhoods. People play chess in Washington Sq in good weather, this is not good weather. It's a great place to watch people, really good in the summer evenings.

Mrs LP and I were in NY earlier this year. It was my first time so I was not sure what to expect so I took my old 550D rather than "risk" my 5D2. I cursed myself for that after a couple of hours. I felt far safer there than in I ever do in London or Manchester.

I wanted to take some interior shots of the Grand Central Terminal, so I marched up there and set up, taking a good few shots before I noticed a police officer generally surveying the scene. I expected a bit of a quiz as to my motives etc. which I would surely have experienced at home. But the officer was a great guy, being very friendly and even suggesting camera locations for good shots. We had quite a chat before I finally left feeling good about NY.

I want to go back!

And yes, be very very afraid for your wallet at B&H! Surely a photographer's paradise on earth.

sega62 wrote in post #15390112
Also there is a scene in a lot of movies where we see people play chess! I would like to go there, just for the scenery.

I am pretty sure you are referring to the South West corner of Washington Square park. This is where they filmed Searching for Bobby Fischer.

That said, you will also find guys in other parks in the city playing chess. It's fairly common.

As Rick said Harlem in fine for the most part. I worked in Harlem for 4 years. The food sucked, but the neighborhood is fine.

Common sense is your best bet.

Now I tend to avoid places like Hunt's Point. (I preferred when the hookers were in the meat packing district) Yet Chris Arnade has made an entire series ont he area.
http://cityroom.blogs.​nytimes.com …t-one-portrait-at-a-time/

Everyone has their own comfort level. Just find yours.

Oh, and have fun.

Cameras in new york are as normal as the tons of tourists we see. Majority of the people walking around have cameras or are using their phones. So shoot away without worry. I was just walking around with my 5dmkIII and Sigma 35 1.4 yesterday up and down the city at night. No one cared or even looked at me. That will be your experience

rick_reno wrote in post #15390569
I'd stay away from Crown Heights in Brooklyn and the South Bronx, both are ok during the day but I'd be cautious there at night. You're a tourist, you shouldn't have any reason to go to those neighborhoods. People play chess in Washington Sq in good weather, this is not good weather. It's a great place to watch people, really good in the summer evenings.

I'll add to the areas listed - Cyress Hill, Bed-Sty, East New York (Brooklyn Area), Brownsville, and much of Atlantic Avenue heading east. It's been a while since I lived (grew up) there, but I saw more dead bodies in those areas then anywhere in my life. Driving Atlantic Avenue is ok, but don't stop to ask for directions. During the day, these areas are (for the most part) ok. It's when the sun goes down you want to be gone from there.

vipergts831 wrote in post #15390618
Cameras in new york are as normal as the tons of tourists we see. Majority of the people walking around have cameras or are using their phones. So shoot away without worry. I was just walking around with my 5dmkIII and Sigma 35 1.4 yesterday up and down the city at night. No one cared or even looked at me. That will be your experience

Why would they care since they too have the same camera..... For the OP, just beware all of the red rings you see on people's lenses. Is mind blowing to see so many people shooting with some pro gear. You may standout if you shoot with some old film camera, like me shooting with a Mamiya c330f. Then, you will get noticed.... People would even just stop and look at your camera.....

RandyMN wrote in post #15387745
Stay away from the camera stores in the heart of tourist areas! Those guys are rip off artists... The well known stores are no problem.

One place in Times Sqr tried to sell me a 1GB SD card for $65. I say man, I live in Brooklyn, so the price went down to $35. I said, J&R is selling 1GB for $4.99, and man says J&R sells greymarket stuff. Strange, same thing was said about B&H many times.

42st. photo is fine, but just stay with J&R, B&H, Adorama(mostly used), BestBuy.
On 34st there are 2 good camera places. A nice Indian gentleman takes his time to explain whatever you need.

As for B&H, it's a mad house every time I go in there; which I do perhaps once a month
just to touch and feel the new models.

PineyWoodsPhoto wrote in post #15390543
I have only been to New York twice....I got mugged both times. Stay away from there.

oh boy, I've lived in NYC 31 years, means on average I should've gotten mugged 31 times. Strange, the only thing that was stolen from me was my girlfriend... and good riddance to her I say.

Use common sense safety precautions and you should be fine. I've had zero issues shooting in NYC.

And stay away from MDJAK.

New York isn't bad and like others have said, there are people with cameras everywhere.

My girlfriend actually dropped her camera (it's was just a point and shoot) in Central Park as it was starting to get dark. She didn't relize it till we were back to the subway. We headed back and the park where we think she dropped it, a place where a group of people had come up to as we were leaving, and as we came up one of the guys recognized her and said, "hey you dropped your camera" and gave it to her. I offered him money for finding it and he refused to take it.

It funny cause he said he was just glad to get it back to her. Then said, "see not everyone in New York is a criminal". I just laughed and thanked him. Was a great end to a great trip.

It's a busy place. Cameras everywhere and no shortage of tourists. As long as you don't slow down the locals then they are very accepting of tourists.

Have fun.

Taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty is always a treat. The island itself is nice too.

I agree with Rick. The thing with the outter boros is that people dont take too kindly to being photographed so just use common sense there. Manhattan and even certain parts of Harlem are good.