Nyc....

DeanMcM

I went to NYC with the family yesterday, and realized the craziest thing....

I went in subway, on the train, ate in restaurants, walked the back streets and around the tourist traps. You will see every walk of life there. People sleep on the streets, beg for money, eat garbage, people with multi colored hair, missing limps, short, tall, black, white, asian, etc......... they all blend in somehow.

But you know who stands out the most. The person with a camera. Especially a DSLR. The cops keep an eye on you, the residents watch you. There are special rules that you need to watch out for.

Oh well just an observation. :dunno

Mongrel

hmmm...
that's wierd

The wife and I took off for an 'over-nighter' to Times Square back on May 21. I walked around for two days with my Digital Rebel (maybe because it's not black?), and camera bag with nary a hint of this. Perhaps I'm just numb and didn't notice ?

We got a tiny room at the 'Ambassador' on 45th street. About a half a block from Broadway (I think? whatever that big street that runs right down the middle of Times Square towards Central Park). Other than *sticker* shock at the prices we had a blast. We are admittedly two 'Pineys' from South Jersey who had never done such a thing before, so like I said, a certain amount of 'numbness' is expected. Honestly, other than reading up on "How not to get robbed in NY" and taking common sense precautions about where we went and how much cash we flashed, we were perfectly at ease. I really didn't notice anyone *giving me the eye* when I was taking pictures. That includes a 6am Sunday morning stroll in Times Square. The only other person out there was taking pitchas' like me. A few cops were standing on some corners, but they just gave me a 'good morning-you're a nut for being out this early-have a good day smile.

We had such a great time we can't wait to go back someday. Highly recommended for photogs and significant others who like to shop . "Go ahead honey, I'll just sit outside here while you-*click-shop." The only thing I caution against is taking the Dear Wife or significant other into B&H! What an experience. One of the sales clerks told me, and I quote-"I have never seen it this busy on a Sunday". Don't even think about telling the DW-"I only be a few minutes" Unless you have a heart attack two feet into the door, you will be telling a bald-faced lie.

Sidenote: B&H has to be one of the most efficient operations I have ever seen. Very fast considering the volume of merchandise moved per minute. Also, I was expecting some "NY attitude" from all the posts over at that *other place*. I did not experience ANY attitutude from ANY employee at all. You would think with as many people they had in the store that you'd get a least a hint of it-but we didn't see anything but friendly, helpful, courteous, employees. Maybe a case of "you get what you give"?

Anyway, sorry you seemed to feel the *heat*. Like I said, that wasn't my experience at all....

DeanMcM

Thanks Mongrel..

Mongrel wrote:

that's wierd

The wife and I took off for an 'over-nighter' to Times Square back on May 21. I walked around for two days with my Digital Rebel (maybe because it's not black?), and camera bag with nary a hint of this. Perhaps I'm just numb and didn't notice ?

We got a tiny room at the 'Ambassador' on 45th street. About a half a block from Broadway (I think? whatever that big street that runs right down the middle of Times Square towards Central Park). Other than *sticker* shock at the prices we had a blast. We are admittedly two 'Pineys' from South Jersey who had never done such a thing before, so like I said, a certain amount of 'numbness' is expected. Honestly, other than reading up on "How not to get robbed in NY" and taking common sense precautions about where we went and how much cash we flashed, we were perfectly at ease. I really didn't notice anyone *giving me the eye* when I was taking pictures. That includes a 6am Sunday morning stroll in Times Square. The only other person out there was taking pitchas' like me. A few cops were standing on some corners, but they just gave me a 'good morning-you're a nut for being out this early-have a good day smile.

We had such a great time we can't wait to go back someday. Highly recommended for photogs and significant others who like to shop . "Go ahead honey, I'll just sit outside here while you-*click-shop." The only thing I caution against is taking the Dear Wife or significant other into B&H! What an experience. One of the sales clerks told me, and I quote-"I have never seen it this busy on a Sunday". Don't even think about telling the DW-"I only be a few minutes" Unless you have a heart attack two feet into the door, you will be telling a bald-faced lie.

Sidenote: B&H has to be one of the most efficient operations I have ever seen. Very fast considering the volume of merchandise moved per minute. Also, I was expecting some "NY attitude" from all the posts over at that *other place*. I did not experience ANY attitutude from ANY employee at all. You would think with as many people they had in the store that you'd get a least a hint of it-but we didn't see anything but friendly, helpful, courteous, employees. Maybe a case of "you get what you give"?

Anyway, sorry you seemed to feel the *heat*. Like I said, that wasn't my experience at all....

I did not want to sound like I was paranoid or anything... And I did, and always do have a great time in the City. And no problems with the Police, My dad, his dad and my two uncles and cousin we/are all high ranking officers in the NY police dept.

I was not really feeling the heat in the tourist areas, especially with my family. We looked like tourists. : But around the back streets, and certain areas (especially when shooting alone) I may feel the heat.

I guess my point was, a person with a camera walking around (not tourist areas) stands out more than most now a days. More than the guy sleeping on the street, or the beggars etc.

Hard to explain

Mongrel

Dean,
You didn't sound *paranoid*, just that you experienced something I didn't. But, like you said, in the tourist areas it may not be as noticeable-there are more people with cameras there than not My wife and I did pretty much stay on the beaten path, except when we go turned around a few times.

How about a few pics to lighten the mood

Caught in a down pour at dusk, people got very resourceful-





One of my favorites from the trip-'Investagator'



Take care,

Mongrel

Harryb

Hey Dean,

I found the same thing during my last days in NYC. Andy and I were stopped and hassled more frequently when we both started carrying DSLRs around. When I just shot wuith the 717 I never had a problem.

Part of the problem was that folks thought we were pros (me anyhow Andy was still shooting with the Rebel so he had fewer problems). If you are shooting professionally you frequently need a permit. We were bounced out of Bryant Park for that reason while hundreds of tourists shot away with their P&Ss.

DeanMcM

Hey Harry

Harryb wrote:

Hey Dean,

I found the same thing during my last days in NYC. Andy and I were stopped and hassled more frequently when we both started carrying DSLRs around. When I just shot wuith the 717 I never had a problem.

Part of the problem was that folks thought we were pros (me anyhow Andy was still shooting with the Rebel so he had fewer problems). If you are shooting professionally you frequently need a permit. We were bounced out of Bryant Park for that reason while hundreds of tourists shot away with their P&Ss.

Hey Harry, I guess it was the camera. I had no problems with the F717 either.
I am glad you felt the same way.

Thanks Harry!