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Don From The Radio · 11-14-2011, 09:05 PM

I think I am going to head to New York over the weekend to workout my new K-5 and * lenses, with two objectives. I want to get some portraits of the protesters down at OWS. I figure they've been there long enough that they're dirty enough to make excellent subjects. Secondly, I want to shoot some urban decay; namely bombed out buildings and rusty cars/trucks. Any suggestions for where I could do this in broad daylight without someone jacking my new $2500 rig would be appreciated.

wildman · 11-17-2011, 11:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Don From The Radio

Shooting urban decay in New York: Where to go?

City Hall?

metalmania · 11-17-2011, 12:28 PM

"urban decay" area usually is not safe especially in Bronx and Brooklyn. Even in Manhattan if there are projects nearby, you should be careful.

RioRico · 11-17-2011, 07:32 PM

The garbage mountains on Staten Island. Those are about as decayed as you can get, outside City Hall.

Don From The Radio · 11-18-2011, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by metalmania

"urban decay" area usually is not safe especially in Bronx and Brooklyn. Even in Manhattan if there are projects nearby, you should be careful.

Maybe I'm just going to do street portraits.

I can take care of myself, but I'd really rather not have to use my K-5 as a weapon. Though I'd imagine a * lens upside the head would hurt.

Hopefully something interesting is still going on down at Zuccotti Park on Sunday. Protesters are fun to shoot.

Hey Elwood · 11-18-2011, 07:00 AM

You can always come out here to Detroit. There's plenty of Urban Decay here.

You can always take a large friend with you or get a concealed weapon permit.

Don From The Radio · 11-19-2011, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by Hey Elwood

You can always come out here to Detroit. There's plenty of Urban Decay here.

You can always take a large friend with you or get a concealed weapon permit.

I'd love to go to Detroit to shoot. In my former life as a truck driver I did a lot of deliveries in Detroit. It's amazing how far that city has fallen. Bad for the people who live there, but great for shooting photos.

CarlitosReef · 11-19-2011, 12:22 AM

When I go back home for vacation I'm definitely getting some shots of the Bronx

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-19-2011, 05:50 AM

Go to the lower east side tenements. Either that or in any alleyway

RioRico · 11-19-2011, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Go to the lower east side tenements. Either that or in any alleyway

Are there still X-flats around E.11th and Ave.C? With trails of full-auto bullet-holes in the brickwork? I haven't been there for awhile.

pentup · 11-19-2011, 12:38 PM

Get in a time machine to the mid 80s. Barring that, why not simply enjoy the city for what it is, which may surprise you.

DeadJohn · 11-19-2011, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by pentup

Get in a time machine to the mid 80s. Barring that, why not simply enjoy the city for what it is, which may surprise you.

The time machine comment made me smile. Many people not familiar with NYC still think of it as it was back then, partly due to movies like Taxi Driver and Fort Apache.

It's true you can still find some buildings in disrepair (as is the case in many cities) but overall there are far fewer neighborhoods in decay than 30 years ago. The East River waterfront (Long Island City, downtown Brooklyn) is especially notable for me. Formerly vacant industrial zones filled with rusting buildings and graffiti have been replaced with parks and expensive apartment towers.

reeftool · 11-19-2011, 06:14 PM

Save some gas and shoot in Camden.

pentup · 11-19-2011, 07:01 PM

Willet's Point in Queens might be just your bag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willets_Point,_Queens

"Another euphemism for blight" is what our mayor calls it. If automobiles in various stages of decomposition are your thing, that might be a fun place to poke around in. Catch it before the gentrifiers get a hold of it. It's basically a giant chop shop -- I'd be less worried about people out to steal your camera, perhaps, than people simply wary of snoopy photographers.

After a day of shooting you could treat yourself to a good Chinese meal just a stop or two away in Flushing, or choose from a fantastic variety of "ethnic" restaurants a few stops the other direction in Jackson Heights.
Most of the "decay" in New York is a case of the fish rotting from the blind head -- it's more an internal institutional corruption that's the problem. As far as ordinary people go, I see less decay than efflorescence.

Oh, if you happen to visit Central Park, and you're a "Law and Order" fan -- don't be disappointed if you don't discover a corpse in the bushes. Seldom happens. :ugh:

wildman · 11-21-2011, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by reeftool

Save some gas and shoot in Camden.

Or Newark

11-14-2011, 09:05 PM	#1
Don From The Radio Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 344	Shooting urban decay in New York: Where to go? I think I am going to head to New York over the weekend to workout my new K-5 and * lenses, with two objectives. I want to get some portraits of the protesters down at OWS. I figure they've been there long enough that they're dirty enough to make excellent subjects. Secondly, I want to shoot some urban decay; namely bombed out buildings and rusty cars/trucks. Any suggestions for where I could do this in broad daylight without someone jacking my new $2500 rig would be appreciated.

11-19-2011, 12:34 PM	#10
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Go to the lower east side tenements. Either that or in any alleyway Are there still X-flats around E.11th and Ave.C? With trails of full-auto bullet-holes in the brickwork? I haven't been there for awhile. Last edited by RioRico; 11-19-2011 at 12:43 PM.

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11-17-2011, 11:37 AM - 1 Like	#2
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Don From The Radio Shooting urban decay in New York: Where to go? City Hall?

11-17-2011, 12:28 PM	#3
metalmania Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	"urban decay" area usually is not safe especially in Bronx and Brooklyn. Even in Manhattan if there are projects nearby, you should be careful.

11-17-2011, 07:32 PM	#4
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The garbage mountains on Staten Island. Those are about as decayed as you can get, outside City Hall.

11-18-2011, 01:18 AM	#5
Don From The Radio Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 344 Original Poster	Originally posted by metalmania "urban decay" area usually is not safe especially in Bronx and Brooklyn. Even in Manhattan if there are projects nearby, you should be careful. Maybe I'm just going to do street portraits. I can take care of myself, but I'd really rather not have to use my K-5 as a weapon. Though I'd imagine a * lens upside the head would hurt. Hopefully something interesting is still going on down at Zuccotti Park on Sunday. Protesters are fun to shoot.

11-18-2011, 07:00 AM	#6
Hey Elwood Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Highland, MI Posts: 336	You can always come out here to Detroit. There's plenty of Urban Decay here. You can always take a large friend with you or get a concealed weapon permit.

11-19-2011, 12:16 AM	#7
Don From The Radio Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 344 Original Poster	Originally posted by Hey Elwood You can always come out here to Detroit. There's plenty of Urban Decay here. You can always take a large friend with you or get a concealed weapon permit. I'd love to go to Detroit to shoot. In my former life as a truck driver I did a lot of deliveries in Detroit. It's amazing how far that city has fallen. Bad for the people who live there, but great for shooting photos.

11-19-2011, 12:22 AM	#8
CarlitosReef Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 34	When I go back home for vacation I'm definitely getting some shots of the Bronx

11-19-2011, 05:50 AM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Go to the lower east side tenements. Either that or in any alleyway

11-19-2011, 12:38 PM	#11
pentup Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Flushing NY Photos: Albums Posts: 413	Get in a time machine to the mid 80s. Barring that, why not simply enjoy the city for what it is, which may surprise you.

11-19-2011, 02:34 PM	#12
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by pentup Get in a time machine to the mid 80s. Barring that, why not simply enjoy the city for what it is, which may surprise you. The time machine comment made me smile. Many people not familiar with NYC still think of it as it was back then, partly due to movies like Taxi Driver and Fort Apache. It's true you can still find some buildings in disrepair (as is the case in many cities) but overall there are far fewer neighborhoods in decay than 30 years ago. The East River waterfront (Long Island City, downtown Brooklyn) is especially notable for me. Formerly vacant industrial zones filled with rusting buildings and graffiti have been replaced with parks and expensive apartment towers.

11-19-2011, 06:14 PM	#13
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Save some gas and shoot in Camden.

11-19-2011, 07:01 PM	#14
pentup Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Flushing NY Photos: Albums Posts: 413	Willet's Point in Queens might be just your bag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willets_Point,_Queens "Another euphemism for blight" is what our mayor calls it. If automobiles in various stages of decomposition are your thing, that might be a fun place to poke around in. Catch it before the gentrifiers get a hold of it. It's basically a giant chop shop -- I'd be less worried about people out to steal your camera, perhaps, than people simply wary of snoopy photographers. After a day of shooting you could treat yourself to a good Chinese meal just a stop or two away in Flushing, or choose from a fantastic variety of "ethnic" restaurants a few stops the other direction in Jackson Heights. Most of the "decay" in New York is a case of the fish rotting from the blind head -- it's more an internal institutional corruption that's the problem. As far as ordinary people go, I see less decay than efflorescence. Oh, if you happen to visit Central Park, and you're a "Law and Order" fan -- don't be disappointed if you don't discover a corpse in the bushes. Seldom happens. :ugh:

11-21-2011, 07:34 PM	#15
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by reeftool Save some gas and shoot in Camden. Or Newark