Comments on: A photographer’s holiday in New York City http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Sun, 27 May 2012 00:43:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Valuethinker http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192617 Valuethinker Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:37:08 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192617 - Brooklyn Heights - the walkway (s of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO) overlooks lower Manhattan and is the best promenade in NYC - Lower East Side for the old houses (Tenement Museum is to die for, but you *must book ahead*) - Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn is supposed to be very interesting, but do keep your eyes open, it was historically not a nice neighbourhood (down Bushwick way particularly) - take the Circle Ferry -- it circumnavigates the whole island, with an expert commentary, and it gives you a real feel for Manhattan that nothing else will, especially the top of the Island. I think it leaves from Pier 36? Some of the angles as you go around Wall Street on the East River side are fantastic - view from the Rainbow Room at the Rockefeller Center is great. Second it on the Beekman. - I think Americans think the Cloisters is neat, Europeans have a lot of that sort of thing at home so one may not be as impressed-- it's a bit of a pastiche - there is a photographer's website, something like Undiscovered (or Unknown) Neighbourhoods of New York, which is great - Lexington is a trip up architectural history: you have Lever House, you have the Seagram Building, you have the Citicorp Building, I think you have the new Bloomberg office Early in the morning is a great time (sorry, but true) as the traffic isn't so bad, and the light is fantastic (as is sunset, but at sunset it's harder to get the clear views and the air is hazy from the day's pollution). Occupational hazard of being a photographer. Central Park Reservoir is really nice, especially if you don't remember Marathon Man too well. We were told the Blockhouse (NE Central Park) was a 'be careful' area, but we saw ordinary looking people walking up there in daytime, so it's probably OK. Don't know where you are staying, but recommend the Kimberly Hotel (suite Hotel, 50th on the east side)- -clean and comfortable (too few lifts, but otherwise good). - Brooklyn Heights – the walkway (s of the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO) overlooks lower Manhattan and is the best promenade in NYC

– Lower East Side for the old houses (Tenement Museum is to die for, but you must book ahead) – Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn is supposed to be very interesting, but do keep your eyes open, it was historically not a nice neighbourhood (down Bushwick way particularly) – take the Circle Ferry—it circumnavigates the whole island, with an expert commentary, and it gives you a real feel for Manhattan that nothing else will, especially the top of the Island. I think it leaves from Pier 36?

Some of the angles as you go around Wall Street on the East River side are fantastic

– view from the Rainbow Room at the Rockefeller Center is great. Second it on the Beekman. – I think Americans think the Cloisters is neat, Europeans have a lot of that sort of thing at home so one may not be as impressed—it’s a bit of a pastiche – there is a photographer’s website, something like Undiscovered (or Unknown) Neighbourhoods of New York, which is great – Lexington is a trip up architectural history: you have Lever House, you have the Seagram Building, you have the Citicorp Building, I think you have the new Bloomberg office

Early in the morning is a great time (sorry, but true) as the traffic isn’t so bad, and the light is fantastic (as is sunset, but at sunset it’s harder to get the clear views and the air is hazy from the day’s pollution). Occupational hazard of being a photographer.

Central Park Reservoir is really nice, especially if you don’t remember Marathon Man too well.

We were told the Blockhouse (NE Central Park) was a ‘be careful’ area, but we saw ordinary looking people walking up there in daytime, so it’s probably OK.

Don’t know where you are staying, but recommend the Kimberly Hotel (suite Hotel, 50th on the east side)- -clean and comfortable (too few lifts, but otherwise good).

]]> By: cjb http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192538 cjb Sat, 07 Apr 2007 01:44:03 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192538 The Hungarian is really awful, of late. I have to meet students there frequently and would rather go to Starbucks, which is very sad, considering how awful Starbucks is. Absolutely not worth a visit, sorry Eszter. The Hungarian is really awful, of late. I have to meet students there frequently and would rather go to Starbucks, which is very sad, considering how awful Starbucks is. Absolutely not worth a visit, sorry Eszter.

]]> By: Jay C http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192536 Jay C Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:23:34 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192536 Re: # 36 Jim, Ingrid & anyone else who might want to check out the classic Chumley's in Greenwich Village: better call first: they have had a bit of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/06/nyregion/06wall.html?em&ex=1176004800&en=64e183feca95843d&ei=5087%0A" rel="nofollow"> structural difficulty </a> and might not be open. Re: # 36

Jim, Ingrid & anyone else who might want to check out the classic Chumley’s in Greenwich Village: better call first: they have had a bit of structural difficulty and might not be open.

]]> By: Mysterious Traveler http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192456 Mysterious Traveler Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:54:24 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192456 Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Brooklyn
Botanical
Gardens.

]]> By: Ingrid Robeyns http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192445 Ingrid Robeyns Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:56:25 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192445 hi folks, thanks for all the advice - it's clear we need more than a week but that's all we have (this time). In fact, we're leaving next Monday, I guess that counts as the Spring season. Eszter, I've never had Hungarian pastry, so will check it out. a diddy at #17: Pizza??? Perhaps once, but I think there are way too many interesting good and weird cafes and restaurants in NYC to eat Pizza. I think my role in this trip will be to watch the thieves, read the subway map, and do some investigating in what the good restaurants are (Zagat's?). And I will just enjoy being there, of course. hi folks, thanks for all the advice – it’s clear we need more than a week but that’s all we have (this time). In fact, we’re leaving next Monday, I guess that counts as the Spring season.

Eszter, I’ve never had Hungarian pastry, so will check it out.

a diddy at #17: Pizza??? Perhaps once, but I think there are way too many interesting good and weird cafes and restaurants in NYC to eat Pizza.
I think my role in this trip will be to watch the thieves, read the subway map, and do some investigating in what the good restaurants are (Zagat’s?). And I will just enjoy being there, of course.

]]> By: Laura http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192444 Laura Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:47:42 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192444 The heather gardens in Fort Tryon Park. When you're up there, check out a real dead saint, Mother Cabrini. She's covered in wax and lying in a glass altar. She's down the block from the Cloisters. On the way there, visit Jacob Javitts playground for photographs of the most diverse toddlers you'll ever see. Someone else said the 7 train. Yeah, do that. Mott Street in Chinatown. Tiffany's. Walk along the GW Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge. Wall Street at lunch time. The steps of the Met. The heather gardens in Fort Tryon Park. When you’re up there, check out a real dead saint, Mother Cabrini. She’s covered in wax and lying in a glass altar. She’s down the block from the Cloisters. On the way there, visit Jacob Javitts playground for photographs of the most diverse toddlers you’ll ever see. Someone else said the 7 train. Yeah, do that. Mott Street in Chinatown. Tiffany’s. Walk along the GW Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge. Wall Street at lunch time. The steps of the Met.

]]> By: brad kerr http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192432 brad kerr Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:31:35 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192432 If you're here during the summer, you might want to check out the ticket line for Shakespeare in the Park. I mean the one on Lafayette, in front of Joes Pub, where folks wait all night for tickets. It's urban camping! If you’re here during the summer, you might want to check out the ticket line for Shakespeare in the Park. I mean the one on Lafayette, in front of Joes Pub, where folks wait all night for tickets. It’s urban camping!

]]> By: rea http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192429 rea Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:53:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192429 The Flatiron Building, of course . . . The Flatiron Building, of course . . .

]]> By: Emma http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192424 Emma Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:36:00 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192424 I want to second what #30 says: LOOK UP. Becautiful architectural details everywhere. Also, I understand you probably already plan for this, but if you go in the spring, Central Park is a must. Get up into the Rambles and go to Shakespeare Garden. I want to second what #30 says: LOOK UP. Becautiful architectural details everywhere. Also, I understand you probably already plan for this, but if you go in the spring, Central Park is a must. Get up into the Rambles and go to Shakespeare Garden.

]]> By: James http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192421 James Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:21:44 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192421 If we're mentioning bars, I'll plug the "Top of the Tower" at the Beekman Tower Hotel, for the view. It's along what might be an interesting walk from the UN north to the 59th street bridge, which gives an opportunity to duck into Beekman and Sutton Places, and from there to get close to still more interesting waterfront views. If we’re mentioning bars, I’ll plug the “Top of the Tower” at the Beekman Tower Hotel, for the view. It’s along what might be an interesting walk from the UN north to the 59th street bridge, which gives an opportunity to duck into Beekman and Sutton Places, and from there to get close to still more interesting waterfront views.

]]> By: Randolph Fritz http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192416 Randolph Fritz Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:07:59 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192416 If possible, go in fall, spring, or winter; the winter is not that cold, and some of the iconic images of the city are snowy ones. The summer, though very green, is also miserably hot and humid. Do some night photography of the lights of the city, if at all inclined. Some of the best views of the lights of Manhattan are from New Jersey, on the west bank of the Hudson. Rent a car and drive through the Lincoln Tunnel. There are good views of the skyline from the Stevens Campus in Hoboken ("<a href="http://www.google.com/maps?q=Weehawken,+NJ,+USA&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=40.744217,-74.02236&spn=0.00673,0.012059&om=1" rel="nofollow">Frank Sinatra Drive</a>", would you believe?) North along the Hudson, there are also good views from Union City, North Bergen, West New York, and Guttenberg; you might even try River Road in Edgewater. In the city itself, the Rockefeller Center plaza at night is very beautiful, but also very well photographed. In the daytime, there are some breathtaking views along Riverside Drive in the 125th-160th street area. The World Trade Center site is an interesting place, though I'm not sure about photographic opportunities there--beware of Homeland Security. If your husband is more interested in people than buildings, try Central Park on a spring or fall day, the club districts (they keep moving) on summer nights, or skaters in the Rockefeller Center and Wollman ice rinks in winter. Fifth Avenue from 42nd to about 92nd is also a good place, just about any time of year; Central Park South (59th Street) around Fifth Ave. is, literally, a Ritzy district, and you can see the city's rich and fashionable out during good weather. For work in the city itself, a small luggage cart can be useful--it is often easier to take subways in Manhattan than drive. Need I mention that street crime is distressingly common in NYC, and many thieves recognize valuable photographic equipment? Travel together, if at all possible. If possible, go in fall, spring, or winter; the winter is not that cold, and some of the iconic images of the city are snowy ones. The summer, though very green, is also miserably hot and humid.

Do some night photography of the lights of the city, if at all inclined. Some of the best views of the lights of Manhattan are from New Jersey, on the west bank of the Hudson. Rent a car and drive through the Lincoln Tunnel. There are good views of the skyline from the Stevens Campus in Hoboken ("Frank Sinatra Drive", would you believe?) North along the Hudson, there are also good views from Union City, North Bergen, West New York, and Guttenberg; you might even try River Road in Edgewater. In the city itself, the Rockefeller Center plaza at night is very beautiful, but also very well photographed.

In the daytime, there are some breathtaking views along Riverside Drive in the 125th-160th street area. The World Trade Center site is an interesting place, though I’m not sure about photographic opportunities there—beware of Homeland Security.

If your husband is more interested in people than buildings, try Central Park on a spring or fall day, the club districts (they keep moving) on summer nights, or skaters in the Rockefeller Center and Wollman ice rinks in winter. Fifth Avenue from 42nd to about 92nd is also a good place, just about any time of year; Central Park South (59th Street) around Fifth Ave. is, literally, a Ritzy district, and you can see the city’s rich and fashionable out during good weather.

For work in the city itself, a small luggage cart can be useful—it is often easier to take subways in Manhattan than drive. Need I mention that street crime is distressingly common in NYC, and many thieves recognize valuable photographic equipment? Travel together, if at all possible.

]]> By: A lifelong NuYawka http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192414 A lifelong NuYawka Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:03:21 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192414 The walk way on the George Washington Bridge provides a stunning vista of the Hudson River (as well as stunning architectural pics). Take pics in 4 directions. The NJ side, the city side, upriver and down river. The sun setting over the Jersey ridgeline is always spectacular. Cross the bridge into NJ and go down River road for many skyline photo ops at sunset. The park on JFK Boulevard East provides a great clifftop view of Manhattan. It is directly across the Hudson from the Intrepid Museum. The walk way on the George Washington Bridge provides a stunning vista of the Hudson River (as well as stunning architectural pics). Take pics in 4 directions. The NJ side, the city side, upriver and down river. The sun setting over the Jersey ridgeline is always spectacular. Cross the bridge into NJ and go down River road for many skyline photo ops at sunset. The park on JFK Boulevard East provides a great clifftop view of Manhattan. It is directly across the Hudson from the Intrepid Museum.

]]> By: bklynbaby http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192411 bklynbaby Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:39:52 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192411 Bedford-Stuyvesant and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens in Brooklyn are two of the most beautiful nabes in the whole city and not to be missed. Prospect Park, near the Audobon Center, is also gorgeous. Frankly I think you could spend a lifetime taking pictures of the Navy Yard and surrounds as well. Bedford-Stuyvesant and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens in Brooklyn are two of the most beautiful nabes in the whole city and not to be missed. Prospect Park, near the Audobon Center, is also gorgeous. Frankly I think you could spend a lifetime taking pictures of the Navy Yard and surrounds as well.

]]> By: seth edenbaum http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192407 seth edenbaum Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:42:18 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192407 The Otterness sculptures are at 8th Ave. They're mentioned in comment #1 My picks The 7 train: any stop in Queens. Brighton Beach. The Otterness sculptures are at 8th Ave.
They’re mentioned in comment #1

My picks
The 7 train: any stop in Queens.
Brighton Beach.

]]> By: Jim Brown http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/comment-page-1/#comment-192405 Jim Brown Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:31:20 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2007/04/04/a-photographers-holiday-in-new-york-city/#comment-192405 Check out Chumley's. It's an old speakeasy and used to be a hangout for Hemingway and others. Decent fish and chips and good beer too. It's difficult to find, but a cab driver should be able to get you there: http://nymag.com/listings/bar/chumleys/ Check out Chumley’s. It’s an old speakeasy and used to be a hangout for Hemingway and others. Decent fish and chips and good beer too. It’s difficult to find, but a cab driver should be able to get you there:

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/chumleys/

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