Where to shoot a downtown Los Angeles Cityscape

I live about 45 mins From La, but surprisingly dont know much about it.
I went to the Griffith Observatory last weekend, thinking it would be a good spot to shoot a downtown LA pano. But i found it was i bit to far. I did however get a good Pano of the Observatory.
Anyone have any good spots to shoot a cityscape of the skyscrapers?
Ill be shooting at night, past 8pm to around midnight.
I heard there is a parking structure that has a great view, but the person telling me forgot how to get to it...

I live in the NW, but our son lives in downtown LA right across the Staples Center. You can start with Googling the Disney Music Center. This is probably the most photographed building in LA since its opening in 2003. As our son has said, ever time he drives pass the building, there is someone taking pictures (day or night!). Near this building (which is on a "hill") are many other photo-worthy buildings (Dorothy Chandler Center, the Library, etc.).

The area around the Staples Center is also nice. The LA Live complex (across the street from the Staples Center) is almost complete with the Nokia Center, ESPN's western studios and the uber expensive Ritz-Carlton Residence condos. To the north of LA Live are 3 building walls that are used as large billboards (about 10 stories high??). When we were there in May, the billboards had characters in a video game. Our son said that these were changed for Michael Jackson's memorial service.

I don't know of any locations where you can shot the entire LA cityscape since I've seen it only from the freeways.

There must be POTNers in LA that know of such locations. Downtown LA is a much better shooting location than I expected.

If you want a good shot of the entire cityscape try 6th street bridge here -

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You, my freind are a life saver thank you.
I was unable to make it back when i wanted to. Im hoping for some time in the coming weeks.
Thank you!
What time did you take those?

You're welcome,

First one i went straight to after work one day so it was about 6pm, probably September/October time to get dark that early.

Other two were around 8 or 9pm. If you want to get those nice car light trails then you'll need to go after the rush hour is over so leave them until later.

Also make a point of getting over to the water and power building, there's several shots to be had there

I love that 6th St bridge shot!

If you get off the 5 a stadium way and head up towards Dodger stadium there is a street on yor left that almost looks like a fire road. it will take you to the hill up above the stadium. It has a pretty good view.

Aweitzel wrote in post #8323897
I live about 45 mins From La, but surprisingly dont know much about it.
I went to the Griffith Observatory last weekend, thinking it would be a good spot to shoot a downtown LA pano. But i found it was i bit to far. I did however get a good Pano of the Observatory.
Anyone have any good spots to shoot a cityscape of the skyscrapers?
Ill be shooting at night, past 8pm to around midnight.
I heard there is a parking structure that has a great view, but the person telling me forgot how to get to it...

howdy neighbor! i'm here in Chino and have been lookin' to go to DT LA to shoot at night.

firesuite wrote in post #8392994
If you want a good shot of the entire cityscape try 6th street bridge here -

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Or you can try 4th street where it passes over the 110 freeway to get something like these-

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or

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There is also some good spots over by the Disney concert hall and the power company building behind it.

good luck

these are amazing! you use the 17-40 for all of these? if so, can you kindly give me some exif info pls. thanks!

Actually i do live in chino, off Ramona and Riverside. My parents live in chino hills. I still seem to write chino hills on everything for some reason.
I HOPING to make downtown this weekend.

Aweitzel wrote in post #8416359
Actually i do live in chino, off Ramona and Riverside. My parents live in chino hills. I still seem to write chino hills on everything for some reason.
I HOPING to make downtown this weekend.

i'm off of Riverside and Euclid, behind the new Home Depot.

send me a PM and let me know when you're going for sure, i may join you...if you don't mind.

I live in Walnut near Mt.Sac. I was always scared to go downtown at night by myself ,but if you don't mind, I am also interested if it's on Sunday night. I have Hollywood Bowl fireworks lined up on Saturday.

why don't we set up a night we can all down there together?! power in numbers!

i'd prefer we go during the wk, so it's not too busy. what days are you guys open?

I very much wish i could set an exact time on which to go. But i cant. My schedule is always to much in the air on the weekend. I work Graveyard 5 nights sometimes 6 a week. so Everything i put off during the week must get done during my days off. that includes, shopping, cleaning, visiting family, taking the G/F out.
What you two should do, and i wish i could do. is if you can make it tonight, shoot up Mt baldy and shoot the meteor shower. It peaks tonight.

I'm open on Wed, Fri and Sun night this week. I'm free Sun-Fri night next week.

firesuite wrote in post #8392994
If you want a good shot of the entire cityscape try 6th street bridge here -

Or you can try 4th street where it passes over the 110 freeway to get something like these-

Can you offer some suggestions as to where I can park my car to be able to easily walk to the 4th street and 6th street overpasses?

I saw a similar picture of the Union Bank of California building in Downtown LA and studied google maps for the longest time to be able to figure out where the shot was taken. I figured out it was the 4th street overpass. I drove out to LA to scope out the area before doing an actual photo shoot but I couldn't really figure out how to drive onto that 4th street overpass and couldn't figure out where to park. There were so many one way roads, I got frustrated and went back home. I just need a good place where I can park the car, walk around, and explore the area. I found a near by Mcdonalds but walking distance seemed a little too far.

im down for that i stay in los angeles and would love to go down there and shoot with others and learn.

set up a meet date

John Photography wrote in post #8436706
why don't we set up a night we can all down there together?! power in numbers!

i'd prefer we go during the wk, so it's not too busy. what days are you guys open?