Charlotte, NC Skyline

moose135

Since I moved down here, I've been looking for good spots to get some skyline photos. Unfortunately, most of the locations that would work well are on the highway ringing the city, and it's probably not a good idea to stop, although the car-guy in me thinks it would be a way to get a close-up look at the new NC Highway Patrol Dodge Chargers...

Out at the airport overview one day, a fellow photographer mentioned a spot he had been at for sunrise, and it worked well for a shot as the sun went down as well.

superduckz

Nice shot! And really nice skyline. I've never been there. Very picturesque. I have the same problem in Jacksonville. All the best vantage points are on bridges and interstates so you tend to see the same similar shots all the time. One of these days I'm going to get all prepped, get a willing driver and try some stop and go's.

kdog

Great skyline, nicely done!

rwells

Looks like Charlotte's grown up some since I was there 35 years ago.

Very nice skyline shot

black mamba

Very well done, John. I understand the complicating issues very well. I used to go through Charlotte all the time when heading to the mountains. For the last 6 or 7 years, however, I jump onto the loop around town and catch I-85 over to Gastonia and head from there on #321 up into the high country.

BTW...be real careful if you ever go through Gastonia. It's a speed trap. My last little episode cost me $315.00 before it was all done.

Take care,

Tom

moose135

Hey folks, thanks for the kind words! Work's been keeping me busy (including a trip back to NYC) so I haven't been around DGrin much lately. Randy, I've been here less than a year, and I've already seen changes, so I can imagine what 35 years has meant. Tom, I made that trip up Rt 321 a number of times last fall heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's not a bad trip. And I've only passed through Gastonia a time or two on I-85 - I hear there are some good photo ops there, and I'll certainly watch my speed when I do!

Thanks!

PixelCharm

Hey Moose..... I'm right outside of Charlotte. I'm renting a Sigma 150-500mm f5.6 for the week. I want to get some pictures of the moon next week. But while I have the lens, was thinking of trying to find some good shots around Charlotte. I would likely use my Tokina lens.....but not sure where to go. I have seen reference to the airport overlook, so will probably check that out. But not sure where to go for the city skyline. Also, later in the spring, want to get some sunset shots with my husbands care with the skyline in the background and his ground effect lights. I can only think of parking on the parking garage roof at the airport..... not sure.....please offer any suggestions.

moose135

Hey! Sorry, I'm just getting a chance to check in on the forum...

My "go-to" place for city skyline shots has been the top of the CPCC parking deck, next to the football stadium at Charlottetown Ave. and E 7th Street. I've been up there half a dozen times, at least. I've never had an issue there, and have even spoken with a pair of campus security officers who said I was good to shoot there, but a few weeks ago I heard from someone that they were asked to leave. Tread lightly, but give it a try. The shot posted above was from the deck.

I've also been to the new Romare Bearden park, next to the new baseball stadium - that's at S. Mint and E 3rd. In addition to skyline shots, there are lots of interesting things in the park to shoot as well. The other place I've tried, although not at sunset/night yet, is Marshall Park, near the city government building at E 3rd and S. McDowell.

I haven't shot much from the roof of the garage at CLT - other than some shots of the aircraft on the ramp, at least - so I don't know how the skyline in the background would look. I'm a regular at the airport overview, as aviation photography is one of my main subjects.

I'm liking the other Charlotte shots you posted, although I'm trying to figure out just where you were for some of them. Nice work! If you have any questions, or want to get together to shoot one of these days, shoot me a PM.

PixelCharm

I was over parked in Biggs parking lot on E Kings St. I actually got the car lights in the parking lot next to Bigg. Interstate Oil I think. I also got a couple of shots across the street in the park by the water fountain.

I was going to head over to CPCC parking deck, but my friend was getting cold....and I figured I'd head home.

I plan on heading over to the airport overview one of these days. I want to go at dusk I think. I also want to head to Ballantyne - the overpass over Johnston Rd....looking at that building that looks like an airtraffic controller building..... and get some blurred lights of the cars below.

I have started my smugmug....but haven't worked on it yet.

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it.

moose135

Ah, over at Biggs Camera...I was thinking it might have been somewhere along the greenway down there. Haven't been down that way in a while, but I'll have to get back there soon. I haven't been down in Ballantyne much, but I'll have to check it out too!

Cornflake

Very nice!