Valley of Fire, Red Rock and Hoover Dam Photos
We rented a car one of our days there a couple of Aprils ago. Hit all 3 places in one day. We will spend more time in Red Rock this trip, the other two were a 'seen 'em once, that'll do' decision for me.
Red Rock is gorgeous - probably could have spent more time but we were running out of light and getting hungry.
I hit Jimmy's in Key West a few years ago. I wonder if the Vegas one will have a similar feel. The Key West one just felt right. Something was very relaxing about it.
I doubt we will hit Valley of Fire and Red Rocks on the same day. We have the car rented for the week. I want to hit each in the morning hours before it gets too hot. But, dragging the Fiance out of bed may be tough.
Red Rock has so many trails. Some trails such as Ice Box Canyon, you're covered under some pretty tall trees and the high mountains, so that the sun isnt always over your head. Which helps ease the heat especially in summer time. I suggest you spend a day there at least.
2 more days.... Wedding Saturday and then we are off to Vegas for a week.
Todays news makes me glad that we did get not to go to Scotland. I am still dreading the security restriction problems flying to Vegas. Hopefully the TSA does not adopt the current UK policy on no electronics. I really do not want to have to check the camera bag.
I have to call the Bride and make sure that she knows what to pack in the carry on.
Thanks again for the advice you folks gave.
Red Rocks and Valley of Fire have been approved by the Bride. I have to go to M&M world and Fremont Street with her in return :-) Not that I did not want to go. We have a list of places and things to do. But we are not setting any plan. The only thing we have planned is seeing Penn & Teller on Thursday night. The rest is open.
2 more days.... Wedding Saturday and then we are off to Vegas for a week.
Todays news makes me glad that we did get not to go to Scotland. I am still dreading the security restriction problems flying to Vegas. Hopefully the TSA does not adopt the current UK policy on no electronics. I really do not want to have to check the camera bag.
I have to call the Bride and make sure that she knows what to pack in the carry on.
Thanks again for the advice you folks gave.
Red Rocks and Valley of Fire have been approved by the Bride. I have to go to M&M world and Fremont Street with her in return :-) Not that I did not want to go. We have a list of places and things to do. But we are not setting any plan. The only thing we have planned is seeing Penn & Teller on Thursday night. The rest is open.
Good luck and enjoy your wedding and your trip to Vegas. Never forget, it is said that a woman who's second toe is longer than her big toe, will domernate her marriage. While talking feet.. on your wedding day, enter the church, RIGHT foot first, it is unlucky to enter left foot first.
Scotland will be much the same if it takes you both until you retire to visit. I'd hope you make it sooner than that though :uhoh
Bod.
"The important thing is to just take the picture with the lens you have when the picture happens." Jerry Lodriguss - Sports Photographer
Just found this group tonight and noticed this thread. Haven't read all the replies so pardon if I suggest things that have already been mentioned.
First, most casinos are restricted on the casino floors. However there are some that don't have any problem with it. When in doubt, check with security or someone first. Some will allow if you are photographing the decorative interiors or are shooting in a direction away from the gaming areas. Main issues that I understand are privacy of other patrons and distractions due to flash. If you are shooting away from other people you MIGHT be OK. If there is something you want, use discretion and common sense. If it isn't allowed, you will likely be warned and stopped. Just say sorry and put the camera away. Some places that I can say I wouldn't even attempt would be Bellagio, maybe, Ceasars is a definate NO. Not even in view of slot machines in the Forum Shops. Although, around the fountains and in the shopping areas themselves is good. Last I knew they had animatronic statues in the strip entrance over toward Mirage. See those if you get a chance. they are kind of cool.
Fremont street is good. Try to get the volcano at Mirage, in the evening. Bellagio Fountains. Take a stroll along the strip around dusk or in the late evening. Night is good but when there is still a little light in the sky is best.
Some day trips are supposed to be awesome. Have never been out there long enough to take any of them. I go every year for a bowling tournement that takes most of my time. I have seen pictures that friends have taken of Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon and they are incredible.
Take a trip to the top of the Stratosphere and get some pictures. There are other potential good places that I haven't been like the top of the Eiffle Tower. Perhaps during a fountain show at Bellagio.
Just walking down the strip offers a lot of good stuff. Luxor and the Sphynx, NYNY and the Statue of Liberty. Paris and the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumphe etc. Excalibur... I could go on. Best advice is divide it up among a few days or sessions. Perhaps Mandalay Bay to MGM in one shot. Then from NYNY to Bellagio in another. Go Ceasars to Venetian (Venetian is another place loaded with stuff to take pictures of. Canal shops, St Marks Square, Frescos on Ceilings... ) in another session. Hit a tram (monorail) or in another trip, hit down by Wynn, Circus Circus, Sahara and Stratasphere. Note that Stardust is closing in October, I think. You might want to see that before it is gone. Main thing here is to realize that the properties out there are HUGE. Even though they might be next door to each other, two casinos can be more than a mile apart door to door. MGM can, itself, be more of a mile walk from your room to the strip entrance. Especially if it is hot, it can be a really rough walk just going between three different properties.
Realize that there is so much that you might need to take choices and won't be able to do everything in one trip. I have been going for 12 years now and still haven't seen everything. Add all the new stuff every year and there is always plenty. Oh, if you get a chance, go over to RIO. The parade in the sky is good material also and I think is OK to photograph.
Oh, one other thing I just noticed in your post. You mention about leaving the vertical grip behind... That might not be bad. Also, keep your lenses simple etc. Of course, the more serious you look the more attention you will attract.
Also, I feel uncomfortable leaving stuff in the hotel room and carrying a DSLR would be a bit of an inconvenience and burden carrying around all the time. For my serious stuff I have a Canon XL-2 video camera and a D100 and now, as of 2 days ago a D200. Those, of course would be too much to lug around. So, I picked up a good 8mpxl Coolpix and a small Sony Handicam that I can just carry in a backpack. I carry the back pack around with me as we go out to the strip or down to the casino. Not only are the smaller cameras more practical to carry in baggage, especially since the London stuff a few days ago, but they attract far less attention. You look just like any other tourist and people don't get quite so uncomfortable if you shoot a picture of some friends around the showroom entrance or in front of the buffet etc.
Me too! Actually my BF goes to the show. I hang out at the hotel, work from there, and then go out to great restaurants at night, or go to a show. Vegas in small doses can be fun, but it gets old quickly. Last year we drove out to the Hoover Dam.
Here's a picture I took this year from the roof the Marriott Grand Chateaux. Not a great shot, but you can appreciate the view!
Well.... I am back. I am tired, and sore. (from hiking )
Thanks for all of the advice. We had a great time. We got to hit a lot of the sites most people do not see while in Vegas. Some of what we did:
Casey's Camera (I did not buy anything but the new wife did)
Lied Childrens Museum
Natural History Museum
Atomic Testing Museum
Zoological Park (Very depressing)
Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden
Red Rock Canyon
Valley of Fire
Las Vegas Spring Preserve (Very nice location for flower shots)
Penn and Teller (Great show, no cameras allowed after the show starts)
Chinatown
The only place I got any grief on the camera was at the Atomic Testing Museum. We were driving a rental convertable so I did not want to leave it in the car. I spoke with the Wack-a-nut security guard at the front desk. She allowed me to carry the camera as long as I did not take any pictures.
None of the dozens of casinos we went in said anything to me about the camera. I am sure that I was watched like everyone else but none of the guards said a word to me. There was nothing in the casinos I wanted pictures of anyway.
Something interesting did happen:
While in the Valley of Fire taking photos of the petroglyphs a tour group with one of the Adventure Photo Tour companies walked by. I was shooting with the D200 and 70-200mm f2.8 lens. One of the tourists stopped to comment that the guide was impressed with his camera. It appeared to be a Canon with a smaller 200mm lens. He said that the guide had never had anyone on his tours with a camera like his. Then he said that when the guide came around the corner and saw my setup he about tripped over his jaw. Weird..... The guide then started ripping on my reflector my wife was holding. He asked if I was using the "car shade" to sun tan with? I tried to explain that it was used so that I did not have to use a flash. I explained that indirect light makes the petroglyphs stand out better. They wished us luck and moved on I am not sure if the guide understood.
The Spring Preserve was very nice. They do not get tourists there and the guy we spoke to was impressed that we took the time to find the place. It is primarily used to teach the locals how to landscape using water conserving plants. I was able to get some pretty good photos of some of the flowers in bloom there.
The zoo is very depressing. The complex is only 3 acres. I am not saying "Don't go!", just be prepared. The animals are kept in fairly small cages and compared to other zoos I have been to it is obvious that the caretakers care about the animals. It is just heart breaking to see animals unable to run around and be themselves. But, the upside is that it allowed me to get some pretty good closeups.
I now have 17 gigs of photos to process.
Oh, and according to my research the geysers in Black Rock are about 400 miles away from Vegas. A bit to far for us :.
Thanks again for the advice and if anyone wants more details on our trip, let me know.
There are a few that apparently got lost in the server shutdown that I will have to reload.
Please, let me know what you think.
Wow, it looks like you really got around!
Did you use a tripod for those shots at the Fremont street exp? They look nice!
Looks like you two had a lot of fun!
Oh yea. Last tip. (in the hotel) If you want to hide your really valuable stuff, I suggest using the safe inside the closet, it comes with keys. I doubt they will have copies but at least if you find out theyre missing, you can def make a huge complaint with the hotel itself. Also, I seen this funny website that shows a 'fake' underwear with shizznit stains in the bottom with hidden zippers to hide money and stuff. Hah. It was funny to me, but I wouldnt want to touch one of those.
Ok that is nasty.... So I sent it to a bunch of my friends
The photos at Fremont Street were taken without a tripod. All were taken using a D200 and 70-200 f2.8 VR, or the 50mm f1.8. I have a 28-200 f3.5-5.6 that I did not use. I have been able to get realy good low light photos without a tripod. I seem to have really steady hands and the VR helps.
Comments
We rented a car one of our days there a couple of Aprils ago. Hit all 3 places in one day. We will spend more time in Red Rock this trip, the other two were a 'seen 'em once, that'll do' decision for me.
Red Rock is gorgeous - probably could have spent more time but we were running out of light and getting hungry.
http://canadian-ann.smugmug.com/Vacation/16371
Enjoy. And if no one has mentioned it - Perfect Marguerita's at Jimmy Buffets.
ann
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I hit Jimmy's in Key West a few years ago. I wonder if the Vegas one will have a similar feel. The Key West one just felt right. Something was very relaxing about it.
I doubt we will hit Valley of Fire and Red Rocks on the same day. We have the car rented for the week. I want to hit each in the morning hours before it gets too hot. But, dragging the Fiance out of bed may be tough.
http://help.smugmug.com
Todays news makes me glad that we did get not to go to Scotland. I am still dreading the security restriction problems flying to Vegas. Hopefully the TSA does not adopt the current UK policy on no electronics. I really do not want to have to check the camera bag.
I have to call the Bride and make sure that she knows what to pack in the carry on.
Thanks again for the advice you folks gave.
Red Rocks and Valley of Fire have been approved by the Bride. I have to go to M&M world and Fremont Street with her in return :-) Not that I did not want to go. We have a list of places and things to do. But we are not setting any plan. The only thing we have planned is seeing Penn & Teller on Thursday night. The rest is open.
http://help.smugmug.com
Good luck and enjoy your wedding and your trip to Vegas.
Never forget, it is said that a woman who's second toe is longer than her big toe, will domernate her marriage. While talking feet.. on your wedding day, enter the church, RIGHT foot first, it is unlucky to enter left foot first.
Scotland will be much the same if it takes you both until you retire to visit. I'd hope you make it sooner than that though :uhoh
Bod.
Jerry Lodriguss - Sports Photographer
Reporters sans frontières
http://www.wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/84994485-L.jpg
I want this shot (it's not mine.)
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
As for the right foot. We are having an outdoor wedding. But thanks for the advice.
http://help.smugmug.com
First, most casinos are restricted on the casino floors. However there are some that don't have any problem with it. When in doubt, check with security or someone first. Some will allow if you are photographing the decorative interiors or are shooting in a direction away from the gaming areas. Main issues that I understand are privacy of other patrons and distractions due to flash. If you are shooting away from other people you MIGHT be OK. If there is something you want, use discretion and common sense. If it isn't allowed, you will likely be warned and stopped. Just say sorry and put the camera away. Some places that I can say I wouldn't even attempt would be Bellagio, maybe, Ceasars is a definate NO. Not even in view of slot machines in the Forum Shops. Although, around the fountains and in the shopping areas themselves is good. Last I knew they had animatronic statues in the strip entrance over toward Mirage. See those if you get a chance. they are kind of cool.
Fremont street is good. Try to get the volcano at Mirage, in the evening. Bellagio Fountains. Take a stroll along the strip around dusk or in the late evening. Night is good but when there is still a little light in the sky is best.
Some day trips are supposed to be awesome. Have never been out there long enough to take any of them. I go every year for a bowling tournement that takes most of my time. I have seen pictures that friends have taken of Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon and they are incredible.
Take a trip to the top of the Stratosphere and get some pictures. There are other potential good places that I haven't been like the top of the Eiffle Tower. Perhaps during a fountain show at Bellagio.
Just walking down the strip offers a lot of good stuff. Luxor and the Sphynx, NYNY and the Statue of Liberty. Paris and the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumphe etc. Excalibur... I could go on. Best advice is divide it up among a few days or sessions. Perhaps Mandalay Bay to MGM in one shot. Then from NYNY to Bellagio in another. Go Ceasars to Venetian (Venetian is another place loaded with stuff to take pictures of. Canal shops, St Marks Square, Frescos on Ceilings... ) in another session. Hit a tram (monorail) or in another trip, hit down by Wynn, Circus Circus, Sahara and Stratasphere. Note that Stardust is closing in October, I think. You might want to see that before it is gone. Main thing here is to realize that the properties out there are HUGE. Even though they might be next door to each other, two casinos can be more than a mile apart door to door. MGM can, itself, be more of a mile walk from your room to the strip entrance. Especially if it is hot, it can be a really rough walk just going between three different properties.
Realize that there is so much that you might need to take choices and won't be able to do everything in one trip. I have been going for 12 years now and still haven't seen everything. Add all the new stuff every year and there is always plenty. Oh, if you get a chance, go over to RIO. The parade in the sky is good material also and I think is OK to photograph.
Congratulations and Enjoy your trip.
Also, I feel uncomfortable leaving stuff in the hotel room and carrying a DSLR would be a bit of an inconvenience and burden carrying around all the time. For my serious stuff I have a Canon XL-2 video camera and a D100 and now, as of 2 days ago a D200. Those, of course would be too much to lug around. So, I picked up a good 8mpxl Coolpix and a small Sony Handicam that I can just carry in a backpack. I carry the back pack around with me as we go out to the strip or down to the casino. Not only are the smaller cameras more practical to carry in baggage, especially since the London stuff a few days ago, but they attract far less attention. You look just like any other tourist and people don't get quite so uncomfortable if you shoot a picture of some friends around the showroom entrance or in front of the buffet etc.
Just some other possible suggestions.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Thanks for all the useful tips everyone.
My www. place is www.belperphoto.co.uk
My smugmug galleries at http://stuarthill.smugmug.com
Thanks for all of the advice. We had a great time. We got to hit a lot of the sites most people do not see while in Vegas. Some of what we did:
Casey's Camera (I did not buy anything but the new wife did)
Lied Childrens Museum
Natural History Museum
Atomic Testing Museum
Zoological Park (Very depressing)
Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden
Red Rock Canyon
Valley of Fire
Las Vegas Spring Preserve (Very nice location for flower shots)
Penn and Teller (Great show, no cameras allowed after the show starts)
Chinatown
The only place I got any grief on the camera was at the Atomic Testing Museum. We were driving a rental convertable so I did not want to leave it in the car. I spoke with the Wack-a-nut security guard at the front desk. She allowed me to carry the camera as long as I did not take any pictures.
None of the dozens of casinos we went in said anything to me about the camera. I am sure that I was watched like everyone else but none of the guards said a word to me. There was nothing in the casinos I wanted pictures of anyway.
Something interesting did happen:
While in the Valley of Fire taking photos of the petroglyphs a tour group with one of the Adventure Photo Tour companies walked by. I was shooting with the D200 and 70-200mm f2.8 lens. One of the tourists stopped to comment that the guide was impressed with his camera. It appeared to be a Canon with a smaller 200mm lens. He said that the guide had never had anyone on his tours with a camera like his. Then he said that when the guide came around the corner and saw my setup he about tripped over his jaw.
The Spring Preserve was very nice. They do not get tourists there and the guy we spoke to was impressed that we took the time to find the place. It is primarily used to teach the locals how to landscape using water conserving plants. I was able to get some pretty good photos of some of the flowers in bloom there.
The zoo is very depressing. The complex is only 3 acres. I am not saying "Don't go!", just be prepared. The animals are kept in fairly small cages and compared to other zoos I have been to it is obvious that the caretakers care about the animals. It is just heart breaking to see animals unable to run around and be themselves. But, the upside is that it allowed me to get some pretty good closeups.
I now have 17 gigs of photos to process.
Oh, and according to my research the geysers in Black Rock are about 400 miles away from Vegas. A bit to far for us
Thanks again for the advice and if anyone wants more details on our trip, let me know.
http://help.smugmug.com
http://www.docwalkersphotography.com/share/4chmQ2yPinKMc
There are a few that apparently got lost in the server shutdown that I will have to reload.
Please, let me know what you think.
http://help.smugmug.com
Wow, it looks like you really got around!
Did you use a tripod for those shots at the Fremont street exp? They look nice!
Looks like you two had a lot of fun!
Oh yea. Last tip. (in the hotel) If you want to hide your really valuable stuff, I suggest using the safe inside the closet, it comes with keys. I doubt they will have copies but at least if you find out theyre missing, you can def make a huge complaint with the hotel itself. Also, I seen this funny website that shows a 'fake' underwear with shizznit stains in the bottom with hidden zippers to hide money and stuff. Hah. It was funny to me, but I wouldnt want to touch one of those.
The photos at Fremont Street were taken without a tripod. All were taken using a D200 and 70-200 f2.8 VR, or the 50mm f1.8. I have a 28-200 f3.5-5.6 that I did not use. I have been able to get realy good low light photos without a tripod. I seem to have really steady hands and the VR helps.
http://help.smugmug.com