Me and a groups of friends in my photo class as coming down to NYC at the end of the month and I was just wondering if yiou locals had any recoomendations as to what stations are good for photography (aka well-enough lit to not need a flash at ISO 400 or so AND that look somewhat interesting. If this were just me, I'd head out to the Els of Brooklyn for some nice "hardcore" railfanning, but most of the rest of these kids aren't into it very much, so being in Manhattan would be a plus too.
madcrow wrote:Me and a groups of friends in my photo class as coming down to NYC at the end of the month and I was just wondering if yiou locals had any recoomendations as to what stations are good for photography (aka well-enough lit to not need a flash at ISO 400 or so AND that look somewhat interesting. If this were just me, I'd head out to the Els of Brooklyn for some nice "hardcore" railfanning, but most of the rest of these kids aren't into it very much, so being in Manhattan would be a plus too.Smith-9th Street has one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline coupled with leaving and arriving trains (F and G).
Coney Island station - D, F, N and Q lines. It was recently 100% rebuilt and now looks like a European style train terminal. BTW - if you go here, have Nathan's hotdogs for lunch (it is across the street from the terminal).
125th St Manhattan on the 1.
If you have the time go to www.nycsubway.org and browse through the various photos there for the various lines. You may get some ideas from there.
http://www.railfanwindow.com/ is another good place to get some ideas from.
I advise that you print and carry copies of the MTA Rules regarding Photography on the subway (link below). There are NYPD officers and MTA staff who will tell you that it is illegal (citing 9/11 etc) and will do what they can to harrass you (including tell you to erase digital photos - they can ask but they can't force you to). Some people have been taken to local police precincts and held for a while as the police "check" your identification.
My advice - avoid using flash whenever possible. If you must use flash, be discreet and NEVER aim it at an oncoming train. Do not linger to long in any one spot - take your pictures and move on (you can always come back). Do not try to go into areas that are not usually accessed by the public. No tripods, unipods or anything like that are permitted.
Don't block passgeways or otherwise impede the normal flow of pedestrian/passenger traffic.
If approached by a police officer or MTA employee - be respectful, have ID and a copy of the MTA rules handy. Have a pad and pen ready to note the officers name and badge number if necessary. If you feel you are "fighting a losing battle" even though you may be in the right - just move on (you can always come back).
Here is a link of the MTA rules:
http://www.mta.info/nyct/rules/rules.htm#restricted
Make sure that you print from the 1050.9 through at least item f. Also make sure that your printout contains the URL and date at the bototm. That will quell any comments that you typed it yourself or that the rules were changes and your information is out of date.
I know this sound a bit ominous but all in all you will have fun.
Enjoy.
